JD Edwards, a leading international supplier of enterprise and supply chain solutions, has secured a contract for its OneWorld Xe enterprise software system at Group Five.
The project, part of an overall upgrade of the company`s enterprise systems, is valued at more than R8 million. Group Five`s construction division, which accounts for about 70% of the group`s operations, will initially be deploying the OneWorld Xe software.
Says Fred Dielwart, group information technology manager for Group Five Corporate and Business Services: "The decision to go with JD Edwards was the result of a need to improve and upgrade our existing enterprise system, an aging building management system that had undergone considerable in-house modification.
"We decided to look at established vendors and eventually short-listed three vendors. Our criteria for selection covered not only the capabilities of the software, such as the support of open rational databases and ability to handle a large number of concurrent users, but also the vendor`s experience in the construction industry, as the availability of local skills and support.
"Our OneWorld Xe system will run via thin client, Windows NT Terminal Server architecture using Microsoft`s SQL Server 2000 database. We put our faith in Microsoft technology mainly for its scalability and large local skills base. OneWorld Xe`s support for SQL Server 2000 as well as JD Edwards` alliance with Microsoft and commitment to the Windows 2000 platform will ensure continued scalability and reliability for the 400 concurrent users we envision for the system."
Adds Dielwart: "JD Edwards` extensive use in the international construction market, a factor which certainly weighed in its favour. Combined with the products functionality and the company`s strong local support services, OneWorld Xe proved to be a clear winner. We will be deploying a number of OneWorld modules including financials, project management, human resources and distribution. OneWorld Xe will be able to integrate horizontally across Group Five`s construction divisions, providing us with better business intelligence, speed up month ends and provide more accurate data much faster."
Says Simon Griffiths, national marketing and alliances manager for JD Edwards South Africa: "Progressive contractors and engineers are focusing on long-term, full-service relationships with clients. JD Edwards addresses the specialised software needs of engineering and construction companies through its support of general contractors, heavy highway, specialty contractors, contract managers and engineers.
"JD Edwards construction customers currently comprise 26% of the top 100 construction companies in the US. Our software helps these industries optimise the performance of employees, facilities, stakeholders and customers within their supply chain.
"In choosing to deploy OneWorld Xe on the Microsoft Windows platform, Group Five joins a large number of JD Edwards` installations operating in Windows environments. Last year, JD Edwards announced SQL Server 2000 as the preferred database for OneWorld Xe on the Windows platform. OneWorld recently achieved a performance record for a high-transaction 4 500 concurrent user environment running under SQL Server 2000 and Windows 2000."
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