IOCORE offers diversified Oracle ERP implementation solutions

IOCORE, local IT solutions provider, has extended its traditional Oracle ERP implementation offering to include its New Initiatives Delivery Unit and Hit Squad approach. "The introduction of the New Initiatives Delivery Unit to the South African Oracle market compliments our traditional project office by catering for customers who require rapid ERP implementations," says Daniel Robus, IOCORE`s ERP Delivery Unit Manager.

Robus says that IOCORE, with its revised structure and flexible approach towards Oracle ERP implementation, is in a position to further cater for a customer`s unique financial requirements. "Whether a company is new or existing, large or small, has a dynamic or conservative culture, IOCORE has the Oracle ERP expertise to deliver a customised solution that visibly ensures the success of a company`s key business drivers."

He says, depending on a customer`s needs, IOCORE`s ERP implementations can take on the form of traditional projects with a fixed scope and implementation times ranging anywhere from 6- to 18-months, or they can involve the New Initiatives Hit Squad approach that involves quick decisions, high risk mitigation management and rapid implementations not exceeding 5-months. "This allows a customer to select a customised approach depending on the profile of the company."

Robus says IOCORE`s partner-centric approach is due to a mature understanding of a customer`s business and how certain ERP modules benefit their business, and then the ability to deliver a pre-tested, technology solution that integrates into a company`s supply chain. "IOCORE`s diversified approach is to increase the longevity of a company`s ERP applications from what has been an average of 4-years to about 7-years."

He says that IOCORE`s revised methodology for Oracle ERP implementation resulted from the need to address certain weaknesses arising out of past ERP implementations in the South African market. According to Robus, too much emphasis has been placed on the technology solution and not on business principles and people skills. He says the knowledge gap that exists between sales and consulting and high staff turnovers have resulted in longer implementation times and minimised the benefits of ERP projects.

"One of the key concerns is that selling an ERP solution is not a drop sell, it is a value proposition that is best achieved by an experienced implementer or consultant," says Robus. "Many consultants do not have the experience when it comes to understanding business principles. Project teams have been known to consist of one senior consultant and a few junior consultants who have been employed because of their enthusiasm to learn, high energy levels, fewer personal commitments and competitive charge-out rates. Many of these consultants reach burn-out within their first year and move on to new challenges."

IOCORE has addressed these issues by making strategic structural-functional adjustments to its business. "Not only does IOCORE offer the Oracle market a diversified ERP implementations approach, but its consultants are less likely to move as they have the opportunity within the company to gain exposure to extensive product and business knowledge by participating in both multiple-rapid implementations and in traditional projects."

He says IOCORE`s consultants are constantly being developed through formal training, a stimulating work environment and hands-on exposure to new and improved tools. "This results in higher levels of customer service and ultimately reduces ERP implementation times and costs."

According to Robus, IOCORE`s vision for future Oracle ERP implementations is to raise the standards of South African implementations, using its new Initiatives Hit Squad approach as a benchmark in the marketplace.