Lawson Software, the enterprise behind the Internet, has announced its plans to target government with the official appointment of Manchu Consulting, Business and IT consultants, as a STAR (Strategic Territory Alliance Relationship) business Partner.
"Lawson Software works with carefully selected STAR partners to ensure effective development, integration and implementation for each joint client. This creates a competitive advantage and forms part of our Global Alliance Integrated Network (GAIN) partner programme," says Cliff van Tonder, country manager for Lawson Software Africa.
The appointment of Manchu Consulting underscores Lawson International`s commitment to Black Empowerment in South Africa. "We acknowledge the efforts of the South African government to implement a programme of black economic empowerment and transformation with a focus on black-owned companies targeting government and the private sector. We believe that this strategy will position Lawson Software firmly as the lead contributors in the enterprise space," says van Tonder.
"Furthermore, Lawson is impressed with the exceptional skills base that Manchu Consulting has to offer," continues van Tonder. "In addition to extensive skills in the areas of human resources, finance, procurement and supply chain management, Manchu Consulting boasts a strong management strategy, business process re-engineering and change management skills."
According to van Tonder Manchu Consulting has an excellent track record with clients such as Telkom, Eskom and Portnet (and several government departments) which played an important role in Lawson`s decision to appoint Manchu Consulting as a STAR partner.
Manchu Consulting was established in 1986 by managing director, Joe Manchu with a focus on consulting to small businesses in the areas of finance and marketing. In 1998, Manchu established an IT services arm headed by Bill Ledwaba, and developed an e-business/e-commerce philosophy to change management, similar to that of Lawson Software.
We are proud to be vendors and implementers of Lawson Software," says Billy Ledwaba, director at Manchu Consulting. "We chose to become a Lawson STAR partner on the basis of Lawson Software clearly being ahead of the pack. Lawson Software`s products are open, web enabled and deployable, and run easily on different platforms. To my knowledge, Lawson Software is the only solution provider offering a selection of Self-evident, thin-client front-ends to the end user," says Ledwaba. Lawson Software can utilise any of Java, Java Script, Active-X, Lotus Domino and Microsoft technologies for user interface.
"More importantly," continues Ledwaba, "Manchu Consulting and Lawson Software share a common interest in targeting the government market. We have tendered together previously and Lawson Software is one of the few big businesses that do not have a superior attitude. They are also not interested in using us as a front or just another name in tendering projects."
"Both Manchu Consulting and Lawson Software are genuinely interested in assisting government to become more effective through the implementation of logical, time saving e-business enterprise strategies," explains van Tonder. "We look forward to working with Manchu Consulting in strategically targeting governments in Africa."
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Lawson Software
Lawson Software, a $270 million provider of Self-Evident Applications(tm) (SEA) for e-business, offers role-based Web solutions for financials, human resources, procurement, supply chain and performance management. With 2,800 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. Lawson Software has been acclaimed by technology analysts for its innovative and unique use of leading-edge technologies, like Self-Evident Applications(tm) (SEA) on the Web, and Drill Around(tm) for integrated, cross-application data access.
Says the Meta Group, "Lawson Software gives its customers quantified savings by aiming their technology at saving corporations on overhead...a rare thing in the client/server world." Offering LAWSON INSIGHT(r)II for UNIX, NT and AS/400 platforms, Lawson has 28 offices and affiliates serving 36 countries worldwide and a 96 percent client retention over five years. The company is headquartered in Minneapolis and London.