With the recent purchase of IntelligentApps Limited and Advanced PayPoint Solutions (APS) by its holding company Sage plc, Softline Enterprise brings to market compelling additions to its flagship ERP solution, Line 500.
Widely deployed by medium and large organisations alike, the Softline Enterprise Line 500 suite will now ship with business intelligence (BI) and business performance management (BPM) software, and offer EPOS, PayPoint retail software as an optional add-on module.
"These developments are core to our strategy of providing a fully integrated solution," says Ashley Ellington, divisional director: Africa at Softline Enterprise. "Where we previously offered these additional software modules as third-party solutions, we now have full control of the core software and so can drive the direction of software development to suit the specific needs of our customers. It's not simply a case of one-size-fits-all."
The IntelligentApps BI and BPM software provides major benefits for organisations through the delivery of meaningful reporting and key performance indicators - critical information required to drive a business successfully.
"We have always had a particularly robust and secure back-end solution and are now able to provide a comprehensive, pre-configured front-end solution as well. This significantly reduces the need for costly consulting services while enhancing user interaction and experience," adds Ellington.
Softline Enterprise's BI and BPM addresses some of the more sought-after management functionality, such as sales analysis and trends, financial indicators, inventory trends and marketing analysis which can also be extended into the area of CRM.
Ellington says the APS acquisition allows the company to deliver an integrated point-of-sale retail solution and marks the entry into the specialist retail software market. It represents another step in the company's strategy of providing industry-specific ('vertical') market software to supplement its core accounting and business management software products.
EPOS retail software, PayPoint is used by a large cross-section of retailers such as department stores, specialist retail and leisure businesses, many of whom already use Softline Enterprise Line 500.
"By providing customers with software that tightly integrates the EPOS system with our reliable back office system, we are able to increase efficiency, improve resilience and provide improved management information for retailers. Our aim with this acquisition is to bring benefits not just to the entire Softline Enterprise retail customer base but to a significant proportion of South African retail businesses," says Ellington.
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Softline is a leading provider of accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions to small, medium and large companies. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the software industry and listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa in February 1997. Softline expanded to establish a strong position within its area of focus in SA and Australia.
Focused on the development of accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions, Softline has a 16-year legacy as a market leader. The group has a broad range of products offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Softline's leading brands include Softline Accpac, Softline Enterprise, Softline Pastel (Accounting and Payroll) and Softline VIP. The combination of the group's product offerings provide Softline customers with comprehensive, well-branded accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions.
In November 2003, Softline was acquired by Sage Group plc, an established FTSE 100 company. The group includes market-leading businesses throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia, supplying business software to the small, medium and large business community.
Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.
Sage
The Sage Group plc is a leading supplier of accounting and business management software solutions and related services for small, medium and large enterprises. It comprises market-leading businesses throughout Europe, United Kingdom, North America, South Africa and Australia .The Sage group plc has over 4.3 million small and mid-sized customers in 55 countries and 8 000 staff.
Softline Enterprise
Softline Enterprise is a leading supplier of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, delivering performance and Web capability that is essential for success in today's competitive business environment. Addressing finance, distribution, manufacturing, services and e-business requirements, the product offering also supports and consolidates activity across expanding business needs. Available on a wide range of operating systems and compatible with a host of industry-leading databases, it gives mid-range and larger organisations the reliability and scalability required to keep ahead of competitors.
Softline Enterprise products are supported through a network of accredited partners which bring together the individual product and service components to deliver a complete and tailored solution.
Softline Enterprise products include:
Line 500 - offering all the advantages of a traditional ERP solution, Line 500 provides tight financial control with full visibility of costs and powerful reporting tools. In addition, it includes an evaluation of market trends to assist customers to make informed strategic decisions. The product also manages cash flow through close budget control and efficient purchase requisitioning and supports international business with multi-language, multi-currency, multi-company features. It includes vertical solutions such as manufacturing and retail.
SalesLogix - an affordable, fully scaleable and powerful CRM solution that is easily customised for medium-sized and divisions of large corporate businesses. Sales Logix is designed to integrate seamlessly with other business software and back office applications, providing customers with a holistic view of each customer.
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