Keith Fenner, strategic sales director, Softline ACCPAC says the increasing popularity of Web services has led to the rebirth of enterprise portals.
IDC agrees, reporting that worldwide enterprise portal spending is projected to reach $2.3 billion in 2007 and is increasingly taking centre stage of the knowledge management (KM) services ecosystem.
"Enterprise portals are all about information sharing," says Fenner. According to IDC, the underlying vision of enterprise portals is to empower and strengthen the relationship between the stakeholder such as employees, buyers, suppliers or customers and the enterprise, resulting in a mutually dynamic and productive experience that creates enterprise value.
Fenner says this is what it`s all about, being able to extend access to ERP beyond traditional borders: "Enterprise portals provide centralised access to business bringing information and resources together that is easy to use. The great advantage is that users can customise it to match their priorities, responsibilities and span of control."
Fenner says that when users log on, their ID or password can act as a filter to configure the portal and determine which pages they can view. He says the system is very easy to set up and because you can configure what each user has access to, it is easy to prevent unauthorised access to commercially sensitive data.
"This centralised single interface brings together all the information that managers need to run their business. It is truly about creating a portal-empowered dashboard."
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Softline ACCPAC is a global provider of business management applications including accounting, CRM, warehouse management and HR to the mid-range market. Its solutions are delivered to 130 countries exclusively through its network of over 5 500 solution providers worldwide and 130 throughout Africa.
Softline ACCPAC`s product line includes: ACCPAC CRM, Accpac ERP, ACCPAC Business Analysis Suite, ACCPAC eTransact, ACCPAC Warehouse Management System, ACCPAC ePOS, ACCPAC Insight and Simply Accounting.
Softline
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 South Africa and Australia.
Focused on the development of accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions, Softline has a 17-year track record 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, a FTSE 100 company. The software 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, an established FTSE 100 company, is a leading supplier of accounting and business management software solutions and services to 5.2 million small and medium-sized clients worldwide. With over 13 000 employees, the Sage Group comprises market-leading businesses throughout Europe, United Kingdom, North America, South Africa and Australia. Its products and services are sold through a global network of 23 000 reseller partners, 40 000 accountants as well as directly to clients from Sage companies throughout the world. For the financial year ending 30 September 2006, the group`s revenue grew by 22% to lb935.6 million and the operating profit rose by 18% to lb235.8 million.
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