4most, IMAC set to grow SAP Business One software market in Zambia

The SAP Business One software specialist, 4most, has opened a permanent office through Interim Management and Consultancy (IMAC), in Lusaka, to expose the expanding Zambia market to an accounting, financial and ERP solution designed specifically for companies operating in the high-growth SMME and SMB sectors.

Eugene Olivier, managing director of 4most, told local businessmen and women at the recent launch in Lusaka that Zambia represents a strong market, with 60 000 SMME businesses and 20 000 SMBs.

Olivier said these entrepreneurial companies can reap the many business benefits that accrue from the affordable SAP Business One mid-market financial and ERP software solutions. A new development that was part of the launch in Zambia is a new product known as the SAP Business One Starter Pack.

“It is designed specifically for the SMME market and is a scaled down version of SAP Business One that caters for one to five users, and offers an applications set focused on the needs of SMME businesses through a different licence. A growing, successful SMME that expands its operations to be classed as SMB, can access the full SAP Business One product merely by procuring a new licence.

“In this way,” said Olivier, “the SAP Business One Starter pack allows small companies to avoid the disruption of having to switch to new software when they expand and their functionality requirements are extended or significantly change.”

Olivier added that 4most and IMAC are “very excited” about the prospects in the Zambian market with new products and the full support of Business One Africa, SAP South Africa. With IMAC having had a permanent presence in Lusaka for the past three years, the company has deep experience of the market.

“4most is looking to expand its customer base and sees Zambia as a key region for growth. The 4most/IMAC Zambia office will receive direct support from 4most South Africa, where the operation boasts many man-years of experience with SAP Business One software and more than 150 successful installations of the software in South Africa.

“We are a Gold Certified SAP partner, and have a longstanding relationship with SAP Business One. We have built up considerable knowledge in this arena and we know what it takes to meet the strict criteria laid down by SAP in the application of its financial software solutions.”

4most services include the implementation, support, maintenance, customised software development, and application modifications of SAP Business One accounting and ERP software systems.

“Our major goal is to deliver tailor-made, innovative solutions that give competitive advantage to businesses across a wide range of commerce and industry,” said Olivier.

The 4most/IMAC operation in Zambia will focus on areas where it has considerable expertise, such as job costing and a range of manufacturing and sales and distribution operations, as well as in-depth hands-on experience in base metals, fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment, and clothing and apparel.

Pankaj Pema, Head of Business One Africa, SAP South Africa, said the company is “excited” about the expansion of 4most into Zambia. “This complements our growth strategy for small businesses. 4most is currently one of our Gold certified SAP partners for our Business One solution and we are confident that through this partnership, we will continue to add value and support to the growing small business market.”

Unlike many other small to medium-size business solutions available on the market today, which are complex and disconnected, SAP Business One works on a single application that integrates all core business functions across the entire organisation irrespective of size. “Our channel partners understand these business concepts and we are proud of the association with 4most,” concludes Pema.