Scala Business Solutions has released the first independent, in-depth analysis of its recently launched iScala Collaborative ERP platform in a white paper written by the UK-based Lian-James technology consultancy.
"The paper, titled 'Collaborative ERP - The Second-Generation of Realistic E-Business" considers how organisations can exploit the capabilities of Internet technology to provide essential business processes and the key role of enterprise resource planning (ERP) in that process," says Shamik Sinha, CEO of Scala Africa.
Sinha says global businesses will find that attempts to impose an e-business infrastructure from the top down are likely to be doomed to failure. "The fact is that the majority of global companies do not operate realistically as single entities but are a blend of acquired and merged businesses split down into regional, divisional and semi-autonomous operations. Individual entities still need to conform to local legal and business requirements - a hugely complex task to fulfil with a large, traditional ERP system," he explains.
In a global economy, says Sinha, it is a rare company that does not and will not need to collaborate ever more closely with business partners, regardless of size and location. "The goal of genuine collaboration must be to create a business which interoperates with other businesses, not just other locations running an identical ERP system," he says.
The report notes the capability of iScala 2.1 to scale from a single installation in a single business to multiple locations across a global operation. Enterprises can buy iScala to automate and manage the business processes of their subsidiaries and divisions and get a complete e-business infrastructure as a by-product. "With the total cost of ownership of our software running at around 66% less than the cost associated with tier one suppliers such as SAP, the costs of developing and evaluating business processes in a new e-business environment are much more containable and manageable," states Sinha.
While iScala 2.1 is the world's first purpose-built collaborative ERP system, it has been built on the knowledge gained producing a tried and tested ERP system with an established user base across the world. Sinha dismisses the attempts by other vendors to hijack the term 'collaboration'.
"Other vendors talk a lot about collaboration but in reality this varies from either deploying a single application across the Internet or a WAN or just hard coding links between systems or companies," says Sinha. He explains that in iScala, the vendor has built a product designed to connect to other systems using standards such as XML, which automates how systems work together.
Sinha reveals that since its commercial release in July, 24 companies are already live or in the process of implementing iScala 2.1.
The full white paper and case study can be found at: http://www.scala.net/iscala/
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Scala Business Solutions creates collaborative ERP software - integrating Internet technology and traditional ERP functionality - to make global business simple. With Scala, global companies can fully integrate all their ERP systems anywhere in the world, whether in a subsidiary, division or headquarters, and extending to their partners and suppliers.
Scala's collaborative ERP software makes it possible for global companies to meet the requirements for advanced e-business as well as use a standard ERP product for managing traditional business processes. This enables them to gain measurable benefits from trading electronically, building a private exchange or global portal, or optimising the supply chain.
From offices in Europe, North America and the Far East, and through its network of partners and dealers, Scala delivers software and services that are available in over 30 languages in more than 140 countries.
Scala is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: SCALA). 2001 revenue was $70.6 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 SA 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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