Atos Origin, a leading e-Business and IT services provider, has signed a partnership agreement with Industrial & Financial Systems (IFS), the fastest-growing global vendor of business applications. The agreement will enhance Atos Origin`s capability in the integration of legacy systems with e-Business solutions and extend its enterprise resource planning (ERP) portfolio. Using IFS` simplified component approach will enable customers to evolve into e-business step-by-step, quickly and efficiently.
With over ten years experience in ERP, Atos Origin`s strength in this field is reinforced by its partnership with IFS. The companies are already working together successfully in Germany and the US.
"We are very pleased to be partnering with IFS and value the clear competitive edge offered by their building blocks approach. They will enable us to deliver cost effective applications that let companies move quickly to take advantage of the new economy," said Sjaak den Breejen, vice president of Atos Origin for portfolio, competences and alliances management. "We have already worked closely with IFS in Europe on a number of projects and our extended resources and joint dedication to quality implementation services will help to further expand our share in the ERP business, including North America."
Aimed at extending IFS` service delivery, particularly in the high-growth North American and European market, this agreement will take advantage of Atos Origin`s global reach and experience in ERP. IFS` component-based system of applications spans the entire demand and supply chain, including web and portal-based solutions for a variety of business functions such as financial management, sales, marketing and procurement.
Initially focusing on the implementation and customization of IFS` enterprise, manufacturing, distribution and financial applications, Atos Origin has already dedicated 40 consultants to its IFS practice and expects that number to grow to as many as 300 globally in two years time.
Bengt Nilsson, president of IFS added, "Atos Origin fits well with our partner strategy, providing improved geographic coverage in Western Europe and the US. By teaming up with Atos Origin, we can take advantage of their strengths in enterprise and e-Business implementation to grow our applications revenues and market share. Atos Origin has a proven track record and large installed base which need to upgrade their applications for e-Business."
Across Europe, Atos Origin and IFS are implementing several projects in Germany, while joint activities in the Netherlands and the UK are expected to deliver the first results soon. In North America, IFS and Atos Origin are already working together on a multi-national and multi-site implementation project.
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IFS and IFS Applications
IFS develops and supplies business applications that offer step-by-step evolution to the extended enterprise.
Based on proven component technology, IFS Applications include web-based enterprise applications, CRM and supply chain management components, Internet storefronts, e-markets and e-procurement solutions. The company`s over 60 functional business components, which span the entire demand and supply chain, improve business processes in medium to large companies. IFS eBusiness solutions provide seamless integration of all data sources from the fastest web sites and exchanges to legacy ERP.
IFS is the world`s fastest-growing large global vendor in the business applications market. The company has 3,660 employees with products sold in 42 countries through 64 offices around the world. For more information, visit the companys web site at: http://www.ifsworld.com
Atos Origin
Atos Origin, a leading e-Business services provider, enables clients to turn their objectives into value driven results through effective use of e-Business and IT solutions. The company`s 27,000 employees deliver innovative solutions and strong industry experience to better manage the entire value network for companies and extended enterprises. Atos Origin currently operates in over 30 countries worldwide, with sales of EUR 2,8 billion in 1999. Customers include ABN-Amro, Akzo Nobel, BNP Paribas, Cegetel / Vivendi, Cr'edit Lyonnais, Euronext, FIAT, ICI, Lucent Technologies, Philip Morris, Philips, Shell and Unilever. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.atosorigin.com/.