Innovation is clear distinction in new HansaWorld version

Leading ERP and CRM software vendor, HansaWorld, has introduced fully-integrated IP telephony in its latest version, enabling businesses to create complete contact histories for every customer.

"Managing telephony and communication in general has become critical to organisations worldwide," says MD Karl Bohlin.

"HansaWorld Enterprise 5.2 enables users to manage all their communication activity through a single BusinessPhone window. That means, for example, that a complete contact history and customer status report pops up on the screen immediately when an incoming call is answered.

"It's also possible to route calls more efficiently - a client in arrears will go directly to the accounts department, for instance."

The BusinessPhone window enables users to dial and answer landline, mobile, SIP or Skype calls, as well as to send SMS messages and e-mails.

HansaWorld Enterprise 5.2 also includes several improvements to the production suite, including advanced resource planning, support for multilevel production, and simplified interfaces.

Bohlin says most ERP vendors have focused on massive customisation in the production and manufacturing suite, for customers with high-level manufacturing requirements.

"We prefer to standardise as much functionality as possible to reduce the total cost of ownership - otherwise customers incur massive customisation costs with each new release," says Bohlin.

In line with HansaWorld's commitment to customer education, version 5.2 also pays particular attention to online help manuals and forums. "We continuously develop the software to cater for growing customers and their changing business needs, and we need to make the full functionality available to them. Online manuals are updated regularly and can be downloaded free of charge at www.hansamanuals.com," says Bohlin.

Speaking at a Channel Partner event in South Africa, Bohlin said HansaWorld grew by 20% in 2006, with sales in South Africa being the major contributing factor to that growth. The South African office signed up 70 new clients during the year, with sub-Saharan figures showing a 450% increase in revenue for the year 2005-2006.