The first phase of IBM`s new Corepoint Enterprise Connection Adapter for SAP R/3 - a pre-packaged interface which simplifies front office application integration with SAP R/3 - has been released in South Africa.
It is the latest addition to the IBM suite of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) products, sold under the Corepoint brand name.
Says Russel von Ruben, country executive of IBM SA`s e-CRM Unit: "CRM tools are most effective when they are integrated with customer legacy data and enterprise processes. SAP legacy and ERP systems are used by a vast number of businesses worldwide. Therefore, it was a natural product extension for us to give our customers quick, easy connectivity from specialised customer-facing applications to their SAP systems."
Corepoint Enterprise Connection provides a single access point to SAP R/3 for multiple customer contact channels such as telephony, Web sites and call centres. The system`s first phase delivers four sales order processing functions: customer order add, pricing and availability, order status and customer order history.
Real-time data integration provides information delivery channels with up-to-the-second ERP information from SAP R/3. Because the system is pre-packaged for out-of-the-box SAP R/3 integration, it can be installed in weeks rather than months.
The product is built on contemporary Java and XML architecture, providing adaptability to future products and tools, and is based on IBM`s e-business application framework.
The system, using industry standard protocols and IBM`s MQSeries message orientated middleware, is platform independent - enabling full integration of heterogeneous organisational environments.
"Our Enterprise Connection SAP R/3 interface is ideal for mid-size retail, distribution and manufacturing companies seeking SAP R/3 order processing functionality, an ERP solution or a multi-channel solution," says von Ruben.
IBM and SAP have also collaborated on a prototype whereby IBM`s Corepoint Customer Relationship Management banking products are linked to SAP`s banking products to provide an integrated solution for retail banks.
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IBM
IBM`s Customer Relations Management unit falls within the e-business division of the IBM Software Group. The unit focuses on the pivotal role that Customer Relationship Management disciplines play in the successful implementation of e-business strategies via the integration of computer, telecommunications and Internet mechanisms. A suite of e-CRM products, under the Corepoint brand name, is available in modular format, enabling management and integration of all aspects of a company`s customer service - from legacy customer data, to supply chain management and front office customer interfaces.
Visit the Corepoint website at www.corepoint.com