With the release of the second generation of the iScala Collaborative ERP system, Scala Business Solutions (SBS) has delivered a wide range of new and improved functionality within a flexible Web services architecture.
According to Shamik Sinha, CEO of Scala Africa, which supplies, implements and supports SBS software in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, the new release is significant because it brings many functions to the midrange ERP platform that have previously been the preserve of expensive tier-one solutions.
"iScala 2.2 is an integrated platform that gives midrange companies a full suite of collaborative modules, including service management, CRM, supply chain management, asset management, contract management, resource management, business intelligence, workflow, user interface customisation and connectivity. An affordable solution, iScala 2.2 scales from a two-user system to over 500 seats, and modules can be individually implemented, giving companies the flexibility to grow their systems with their business," he says.
Sinha explains that many of the new features have resulted from close cooperation with Scala's customers and partners to identify areas where business efficiency should be improved.
The new iScala version delivers cost-effective solutions tailored to the specific needs of companies in industry sectors such as industrial machinery, light engineering, automotive, electronics, pharmaceutical, consumer packaged goods and not-for-profit organisations.
With industry analysts indicating that companies need to leverage existing IT investments and ensure they get the latest tools available to support their business strategies, recent reports indicate that companies are now starting to upgrade and replace the business management systems they acquired in the late 1990s. Sinha says that with a seamless and low-cost upgrade path, iScala is an ideal solution for such companies.
"With increased business functionality, comprehensive integration and connectivity capabilities coupled with a crisp new flexible user interface, iScala is the right choice for companies considering upgrading or buying a new ERP system," he explains.
"AMR Research's ERP Spending Survey and System Selection metrics show an increase in the number of companies intending to purchase new ERP systems or upgrade their existing one," said AMR analyst Jim Shepherd in an AMR Research Alert. "This is an excellent time to be buying a new ERP system or expanding an existing one."
Sinha adds that the company anticipates strong customer demand for the new iScala version, with nearly 60% of Scala's top customers worldwide having been actively involved as early adopters since last year. "We already have significant interest in the African market and expect to announce the first iScala 2.2 implementation in weeks," he concludes.
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iScala comes in two packages:
iScala Business Server: Designed to provide a complete collaborative ERP package for the medium-size business needing full ERP functionality, and as a first step towards automating business processes across applications and with customers' or suppliers' systems.
iScala Enterprise Server: Designed to provide a scalable ERP package for business centralisation and support for working across multiple sites and subsidiaries, the iScala Enterprise Server includes all the functionality of iScala Business Server. It's designed as a complete collaborative ERP package for medium-size multinational companies or for the subsidiaries and divisions of large enterprises.
Both servers integrate a broad set of ERP, CRM and SCM business processes, in over 30 languages, oriented to medium-size local companies and the subsidiaries of global companies, wherever they do business.
The iScala Collaborative ERP system includes:
iScala Core Business Processes: A core set of business processes including multi-currency and multi-legislative financial functionality, asset management and a set of packaged integration solutions (XML-EDI, financials and master data integration) which helps customers to improve the business efficiency of their core processes.
iScala CRM:
Powered by Microsoft CRM and accessible from both Microsoft Outlook and the Web, iScala CRM is easy to use, customise and maintain, integrates with iScala ERP and other business systems, and scales to grow along with a company's business. With iScala CRM customers can increase their sales success, deliver efficient, consistent customer service, easily share information and make informed, agile business decisions.
iScala SCM: Packaged to address typical business needs, starting with logistics (purchase and inventory management), warehouse management (including quality control), manufacturing (planning, configuration, shop floor control), tools (such as lead time management, available to promise and drop shipment) and integration solutions.
iScala Contract Management, Project Management, Service Management: This set of business processes has been significantly improved and extended in the new version of iScala to help customers automate their business processes. This will provide them with significant competitive advantages in the way they manage their businesses.
iScala Human Resource Management: Includes the global version of the iScala Payroll module which customers can use to improve their personnel management in any country, regardless of how complex their legislation requirements are.
iScala Business Intelligence (BI) Server: Providing a complete set of business intelligence tools to give users access to information they need when they need it to make the right decisions quickly. Designed to make operational and management reporting easier, iScala BI Server enables users to quickly perform drill-down enquiries and comparative analysis to find out exactly how the business is doing and where improvements are needed.
iScala Developer: The iScala Developer is an entire development solution for creating vertical and unique company-specific processes inside and outside the iScala system.
Scala Business Solutions
Scala Business Solutions offers a collaborative ERP system to make business simple. Whether companies do business in established or emerging markets, or both, or even in some of the world's most difficult-to-get-to places, Scala offers them the most complete, integrated ERP, CRM and SCM solution on a Web services platform to help them increase their business efficiency and productivity.
Scala has the local know-how and expertise to deliver results for businesses anywhere in the world, gained from over 25 years working with international companies and their subsidiaries and divisions in all types of industries. Scala delivers software and services which support local currencies, accounting regulations and legal requirements in more than 30 languages in over 140 countries.
Scala is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: SCALA). 2002 revenue was $73.4 million. Visit Scala's Web site at www.scala.net for press information including press releases, information for investors, and company and product information.
Scala Africa
Scala Business Solutions is represented in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands by Scala Africa, which provides sales, consulting and implementation skills to a customer base of 70 companies in South Africa and a further 300 in the rest of Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Headquartered in Johannesburg and with offices in countries including Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, Scala Africa (Pty) Ltd, is a truly pan-African concern that offers integrated, collaborative ERP solutions to businesses across the continent. Visit Scala's Web site at www.scala.co.za for press information including press releases, information and product information.
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