Understanding the business and technology complexities of an enterprise customer is a significant and ongoing challenge for ERP vendors. Ashley Ellington, director: Africa, Softline Enterprise, says it is vital to provide appropriate ERP solutions which address current business issues.
"To do this effectively, we need to know and understand what our customers require from IT, such as the pressing need for integration. This addresses business issues such as the external impact of compliance and governance regulation on the enterprise; the internal challenge of maintaining and improving cost control as well as the need to improve process efficiencies."
Part of the challenge also lies in keeping up with changes to the IT landscape. Occurring as rapidly as businesses seek efficiencies and improved services, the answer is often new or improved integration of internal and external processes.
"Integration is important and definitely on the radar for most businesses," says BMI-TechKnowledge director Mark Walker. "Although it may seem obvious, it is often lost in the day-to-day project focus within the enterprise and even more so in the medium and small company space."
Driving integration further are business intelligence and knowledge management systems, which will become increasingly important as soon as they are better understood and perceived as beneficial to CEOs and CFOs. Sectors such as banking and retail are already realising the value, albeit on a case-by-case basis.
Ellington believes opportunities exist for integrated ERP solutions within all vertical sectors especially in manufacturing. "With the revitalisation of the manufacturing economy, customers are looking for an ERP solution that will provide the necessary infrastructure to support a manufacturer's techniques, software and facilities now and in the future. Today's ERP solutions have taken advantage of the latest technologies, building on the legacy of application development, which has resulted in extended ERP becoming a standard for manufacturers, which strive to not only remain competitive, but to grow and thrive."
Through its Sage Line 500 solution, Softline Enterprise has been providing ERP solutions to medium to large manufacturing organisations for more than 20 years.
"Over this time we have built up a deep understanding of the needs of all size businesses and have used this insight to constantly develop our products and services to meet the increasingly demanding needs of our clients," says Ellington.
Softline Enterprise believes one of the key drivers of integration and as a result, ERP solutions, is the customer's need to control the entire manufacturing process. "The key to gaining this control lies in effective scheduling of work, tracking resource utilisation and improving business analysis. Sage Line 500 works because it streamlines the process between manufacturers, suppliers, the shop floor and customers, and helps businesses run at optimum efficiency and profitability."
At boardroom level, Ellington believes it is vital to provide relevant business information. "What an executive at every level needs is a snapshot of the business whether it's from a financial or operational perspective. It is our job to remove the complexity and provides customers with a consistent single version of the business truth."
Products such as Softline Enterprise's Sage Line 500 can do this effectively. Believing that information is power and that decisions need to be made on key information to maintain competitiveness and business growth, the benefit of ERP integration made possible through business intelligence can make a significant difference to a manufacturer's business performance and longevity," concludes Ellington.
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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:
Line 500 - offering all the advantages of a traditional ERP solution, 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 SA 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 provides 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 UK, Europe, North America, SA and Australia, supplying business software to the small, medium and large 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, UK, North America, SA 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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