Lawson Software, the enterprise behind the internet, has announced the appointment of Unihold Business Solutions as a STAR (Strategic Territory Alliance Relationship) business partner.
According to Cliff van Tonder, manager of Lawson Software Southern Africa, "The appointment was made on the basis of the value-add Unihold can bring to the Lawson product range with its professional services," says Cliff van Tonder, country manager of Lawson Software Africa. "This appointment brings the number of systems integrators representing Lawson in this country to four and is consistent with our global model of seeking partnerships with the leading IT companies in each market," van Tonder says.
Van Tonder has high expectations for the Lawson Software, Unihold partnership and names the key vertical retail, healthcare and professional services markets as the focus for joint Unihold/Lawson tenders.
"Unihold`s shop-floor to boardroom IT solutions portfolio will provide clients with a total solution partner," says van Tonder. "Nowadays, it is not just about dropping an ERP package into place, but to leverage its use through deployment of Knowledge Management, Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Optimisation and e-Business methodologies."
Kobus Prinsloo, general manager, ERP at Unihold, is impressed with the architecture of Lawson software as well as the company`s focus on vertical markets. "Globally, Lawson is strong in banking, insurance, healthcare, retail and the public sector. The software was built from the ground up to be Internet-enabled and, as such, lends itself well to bringing companies quickly and economically into the electronic business age," adds Prinsloo.
Industry analysts support this view with the Meta Group describing the Lawson suite as "the most completely Web-enabled ERP solution available today".
For Prinsloo, it was purely a business decision to seek a partnership with Lawson Software. "As a consulting-lead, business solutions-driven organisation, Unihold must always be in a position to provide its customers with visionary solutions to fit their specific needs.
"Lawson`s suite of financial, logistic, Human Resources (HR) and e-Business application modules is acknowledged among the best mid-market ERP solutions. It complements our existing portfolio and is consistent with the overall Unihold strategy," Prinsloo says.
Prinsloo also points out that ASP technology, around which so much hype is currently being driven, has long been part and parcel of Lawson Software products. "This positions us well to offer value to customers who find the cost of stand-alone ERP applications prohibitive."
According to Van Tonder, Unihold`s IBM business partner status was a contributing factor in the decision to appoint the company a Lawson implementation partner. "The Lawson partner programme is intended to assist our customers gain competitive advantage through provision of services by a global network of associates. Unihold is now a part of this network."
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Lawson Software
Lawson Software, the Enterprise behind the Internet, is a $270 million provider of integrated e-business solutions powering enterprises and e-services.
Lawson offers role-based Self-Evident Applications (SEA), transaction engines and solution extensions powering financials, human resources, procurement, distribution and analytics solutions. With 3,000 mid- to large-sized corporate customers, Lawson has distinguished itself competitively through a unique blend of feature-rich customer solutions, technology innovation and user-friendly support.
IDC states that Lawson is primed for the next generation of enterprise-applications utility. According to the Aberdeen Group Lawson`s commitment to Internet application standards and the delivery of e-business-enabling enterprise applications should propel it to the forefront of this market space. Red Herring magazine lists Lawson among the world`s top 50 private companies.
Offering enterprise e-business solutions for UNIX, Windows 2000/NT, and IBM AS/400 and S/390 platfoms, Lawson has 30 offices and affiliates serving North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota and London.
Additional information about Lawson Software is available on the company`s Web site, http://www.lawson.com.