BMI-TechKnowledge says vertical market strategies are becoming increasingly important for IT suppliers as end-users repeatedly demand technology tailored to suit industry-specific requirements. Ashley Ellington, managing director, Softline Enterprise, says he has seen a significant shift in the ERP sector, particularly among mid to large manufacturing organisations, demanding tailored ERP solutions. As a result, Softline Enterprise has appointed several new Sage Line 500 business partners throughout South Africa.
"To ensure we are able to manage the increasing demand for Sage Line 500, our ERP solution, we have appointed About IT Solutions, Compulink, iSquared and Trew Solutions as business partners in South Africa. Our goal is to help customers choose the right solution, achieving measurable benefits and a maximum return on investment. Appointing qualified and experienced business partners is a vital step in that process," says Ellington.
Gerrit Olivier, managing director of About IT Solutions, believes the global economy is recovering and manufacturers are increasing IT expenditures, with plans to implement, replace or upgrading ERP systems. He says the increased awareness of ERP solutions as the information backbone of an internal business and production operation has also impacted on the demand for ERP solutions.
"We consider our appointment by Softline Enterprise to be of incessant value and an essential, strategic step towards sustainable economic growth and the future success of our company."
Olivier says another added advantage for About IT Solutions is Sage Line 500's ability to provide a reliable Web-based accounting solution to customers who require an ERP system.
"Compared to its competitors, Sage's Line 500 software package provides the ideal alternative for our medium to larger-sized businesses with its dependability, scalability and more cost-effective price tag."
iSquared is a specialist provider of holistic, ITIL-based, information delivery systems throughout South Africa. According to iSquared managing director, James Beaumont, the company's approach is to integrate IT as a value-adding support service to existing business processes and not as a separate division.
"We so often see IT departments holding the balance of power and excluding the line of business managers when it comes to making IT-based decisions - this leads to disparate, technology-based systems with no business ownership. These systems inevitably end up becoming costly failures."
iSquared's IT and operational experience has resulted in the company providing its customers with a broad IT service from ISP connectivity to fully outsourced IT departments. Beaumont says the appointment as a Sage Line 500 business partner by Softline Enterprise, ensures iSquared is able to provide its customers with a "best of breed", mid-market ERP solution in South Africa.
"We wanted to align ourselves with a software solution with a strong international presence and world-class local support and continue providing our customers with a single interface for their IT solutions. With Sage Line 500's widespread installed base and support infrastructure we are confident that our appointment will add value to our business."
For Trew Solutions, a leading software reseller for over 10 years with a large SME client base, Sage Line 500 provided a perfect mid-tier ERP solution for its large manufacturing clients.
"The functionality available in Sage Line 500 far exceeds that of other software on the market. Softline Enterprise's business model and approach to its business partners is also very encouraging. We are confident that by becoming a Softline Enterprise business partner, we will add value to our business and to our customers," says Mathew Bland, director, Trew Solutions.
Ellington believes key elements of the ERP decision-making process are its financial stability, support infrastructure and long-term sustainability.
"Softline Enterprise with its Sage Line 500 product is well placed to meet all these needs. We have also secured significant long-term partnerships, which will not only service our customers well, but will also increase our market penetration and visibility. All of which are vital to our business."
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Softline Enterprise is a leading supplier of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, delivering performance and Web capability that is essential for success in today's competitive business environment. Addressing finance, distribution, manufacturing, services and e-business requirements, the product offering also supports and consolidates activity across expanding business needs.
Available on a wide range of operating systems and compatible with a host of industry-leading databases, it gives mid-range and larger organisations the reliability and scalability required to keep ahead of competitors. Softline Enterprise products are supported through a network of accredited partners which bring together the individual product and service components to deliver a complete and tailored solution.
Softline Enterprise products include:
Sage Line 500 - offering all the advantages of a traditional ERP solution, Sage Line 500 provides tight financial control with full visibility of costs and powerful reporting tools. In addition it includes an evaluation of market trends to assist customers to make informed strategic decisions. The product also manages cash flow through close budget control and efficient purchase requisitioning and supports international business with multi-language, multi-currency, multi-company features. It includes vertical solutions such as manufacturing and retail.
SalesLogix - an affordable, fully scaleable and powerful CRM solution that is easily customised for medium-sized and divisions of large corporate businesses. Sales Logix is designed to integrate seamlessly with other business software and back office applications, providing customers with a holistic view of each customer.
Softline
Softline is a leading provider of accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions to small, medium and large companies. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the software industry and listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa in February 1997.
Softline expanded to establish a strong position within its area of focus in South Africa and Australia.
Focused on the development of accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions, Softline has been a market-leader for 16 years. The group has a broad range of products offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Softline's leading brands include Softline Accpac, Softline Enterprise, Softline Pastel (Accounting and Payroll) and Softline VIP. The combination of the group's product offerings, provide Softline customers with comprehensive, well-branded accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions.
In November 2003, Softline was acquired by Sage Group plc, an established FTSE 100 company. The group includes market-leading businesses throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia, supplying business software to the small, medium and large sized business community.
Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.
Sage
The Sage Group plc is a leading supplier of accounting and business management software solutions and related services for small, medium and large enterprises. It comprises market-leading businesses throughout Europe, United Kingdom, North America, South Africa and Australia .The Sage group plc has over 4.5 million small-and mid-sized customers in 55 countries and 8 000 staff.
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