Macola, the company that delivers software that businesses never outgrow, today announced it has entered into a new marketing agreement with International Business Machines (IBM). The agreement calls for Macola to link its brand to the powerful new international initiative of the IBM Netfinity ServerProven solutions program, which offers total solutions of industry leading software and IBM Netfinity Servers to small and midsize businesses.
For Macola, a charter member of IBM`s Netfinity ServerProven program, this agreement signifies the next level of growth in the IBM/Macola relationship.
"Macola and IBM help customers grow their businesses," said company President and CEO Bruce A. Hollinger. "This agreement allows Macola to link with the growing IBM Netfinity ServerProven solutions program, and bring IBM value to our global marketplace. This is the most aggressive co-marketing campaign Macola has ever launched, and it enhances our global strategy."
This joint marketing initiative will link IBM`s Netfinity ServerProven solutions program and Macola through collaborative worldwide marketing efforts such advertising, special events, direct marketing and a new Internet program.
Macola`s participation in IBM`s Netfinity ServerProven solutions program also gives the Macola Business Partner Network a competitive edge. As a result of the IBM/Macola partnership, Macola Business Partners can offer customers a complete solution ---software and a business system--- that has been tested for compatibility.
Macola is a global company headquartered in Marion, Ohio. It delivers Microsoft-based technology solutions to growth-oriented small and midsize companies. More than 16,000 sites and 175,000 customers worldwide operate their businesses using Macola Software, and three new companies commit to Macola software every day. Macola grew almost 30 percent last year and has sustained that rate of growth approximately every year since 1990. During the last fiscal year, Macola experienced a dramatic expansion of more than 230 percent in international sales, which now represents approximately 15 percent of annual revenues.
"This is a powerful program," said Macola Vice President of Marketing Mark Wallinger. "We are joining efforts to launch a pro-active program that is new to the marketplace. With shared databases and shared resources, we can go to market together in new and innovative ways."
"IBM recognizes that Netfinity`s growing success in the application market depends on developing successful partnerships with leading independent software vendor partners such as Macola," said Worldwide Vice President of Marketing for IBM Netfinity Lineene Krasnow.
Founded in 1971, Macola is a privately owned company. It provides client/server manufacturing, distribution and financial solutions in more than 35 countries through its Business Partner Network, which includes 300 companies providing end users with more than 3,000 people installing and servicing locally.
Macola is a Microsoft Solution Provider Partner, offering a product line that takes full advantage of the Windows 95, Windows NT and Microsoft SQL Server environments. Macola`s signature product, Progression Series 7.5, is a client/server application designed to combine robust functionality with flexibility and scalability that businesses can leverage today and well into the future.
Macola Software`s Progression Series is an award-winning product line. Macola was included in Manufacturing Systems` list of the "Top 100 Manufacturing Software Vendors" for 1998; the "Top 75 Manufacturing Software Vendors" for 1997 and named in its "Top 50 Manufacturing Software Vendors" in 1994 and 1996. Macola`s ERP software also was recognized by Manufacturing Systems magazine with a "Reader`s Choice" award. In June 1997, Managing Automation tapped Macola as one of the "Hot 100 Manufacturing Software Companies." Accounting Today magazine named Macola`s Progression Series Distribution software as one of the "Top 100 Products in 1998." For more information, access www.macola.com.
In 1997, IBM announced the Netfinity family of Intel-based servers and solutions. With this announcement, IBM extended its vast experience with large servers to the Netfinity server family, providing customers of any size a reliable foundation for their business systems and applications. IBM`s Netfinity Servers are receiving vast praise within the industry, including recently receiving the Expo Excellence (best of show) award for the Netfinity 5500 Server at the 1998 PC Expo.
Commenting on this event was PC Week: "The winner of PC Week`s Expo Excellence award at the recent PC Expo in New York was the IBM Netfinity 5500. It was a perfect example of how client/server and Web-based computing have come of age." For more information about IBM Netfinity Servers, access: www.pc.ibm.com/us/netfinity.
The IBM Netfinity ServerProven solutions program is available for software vendors to work with IBM to test their software applications on IBM Netfinity servers. This IBM solutions program is based on the idea that solutions begin with the application. ServerProven Solutions have been tested for installation, implementation and integration with IBM Netfinity products, providing customers with an application and business system that has been proven to work.
"Testing and delivering solutions under the ServerProven program helps to ensure system compatibility for the total solution, which instills customer confidence," says Krasnow. "In addition, it also gives software vendors, such as Macola, advantages in bringing their products to market, by offering complete solutions, that can be jointly marketed with IBM."
For more information about IBM Netfinity ServerProven solutions, access: www.pc.ibm.com/us/netfinity/serverproven.
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