SSA Global, a leading global provider of extended enterprise solutions and services, today announced it would offer ongoing support for the recently acquired Baan solutions and a product roadmap into the future.
Incorporating feedback from existing customers, the initiative includes enhancements, extensions, a new thin client user interface for existing Baan IV and Baan ERP 5 product lines and a commitment to the delivery of the next generation ERP platform SSA Baan ERP 6, previously codenamed `Gemini`.
"We went directly to our customers in an effort to understand their needs for the specific industries they serve," said Graeme Cooksley, executive vice-president, SSA Global. "We listened to their feedback and as a result, we have delivered a roadmap of Baan enterprise products that are less costly to operate and maintain and easier to integrate with and migrate to. SSA Baan ERP can streamline our customers` business processes, keep them competitive and deliver a quick return on their investments."
"SSA Global has been quick to define the product strategy and show evidence of delivery against this strategy - exactly what is needed by all customers to reinforce the continued way forward for their investments," adds Jane Thomson, managing director of Softworx, distributor of Baan solutions for SSA Global in SA.
Thomson says: "SSA Global`s commitment to Baan customers is clearly demonstrated through this solution roadmap and is considered good news indeed."
Reversing the decision made by Baan when it was part of Invensys, SSA Global will continue to enhance and extend the value of customers` existing Baan implementations, adding deep core and industry functionality as well as thin-client Web-enablement in the existing SSA Baan ERP solutions, which will be released in the first quarter of 2004. This Web interface will give users browser-based access, full read, write, and transaction support, as well as improved remote and casual access.
SSA Baan customers will also be able to take advantage of expanded functionalities through SSA Global extension products including SSA Supply Chain Management (SCM), SSA Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and SSA Corporate Performance Management (CPM), SSA Collaborative Order Management and SSA Customer Relationship Management. The company is currently offering customers special promotional pricing for several of these extension products.
"Based on SSA Global`s continued commitment to not sunset products, all of the Baan products are and will continue to be supported. We want customers for life and we will support Baan solutions as long as any single customer needs support and is willing to invest in support," said Cory A Eaves, vice-president of solutions management and research at SSA Global.
"We were very pleased with the customer focus that SSA has adopted," said Doug Woeste, manager of financial systems, Mettler Toledo. "The announcement that SSA Global has Web-enabled the Baan IV platform was of particular interest. It`s in SSA`s best interest to develop robust migration tools to allow customers to move to SSA Baan ERP 6 at their own pace."
Strategy and support for SSA Baan ERP 6:
Based on Baan`s large development investment in Gemini and the feedback received from current Baan customers, SSA Global is committed to delivering the first version of the SSA Baan ERP 6 solution in July 2004.
"I have followed both SSA and Baan for years and today`s announcement clearly demonstrates SSA`s commitment to customers," said John Moore, vice-president and general manager, ARC Advisory Group. "SSA Global`s go-forward Baan ERP product strategy is right on target as it supports customers and protects their investments for the long-term."
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SSA Global is a leading provider of extended enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for manufacturing, services and public organisations worldwide. In addition to core ERP applications, SSA Global offers a full range of integrated extended solutions including corporate performance management, customer relationship management, supply chain management and supplier relationship management. Headquartered in Chicago, SSA Global has 121 worldwide offices serving more than 16 000 customers that represent market-leading companies in over 90 countries. For additional information, visit the SSA Global Web site at www.ssaglobal.com http://www.ssaglobal.com. SSA Global is the new corporate brand for product lines and subsidiaries of SSA Global Technologies, Inc.
Softworx
Softworx*, a leading South African business applications solutions provider, specialises in providing complete business solutions based on a powerful combination of leading-edge products and consultancy. Softworx offers a range of world-class solutions, which leverages off its e-commerce complement, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM). The common thread with all Softworx implementations is the guarantee of rapid deployment with measurable benefits resulting in sustainable long-term relationships with its customers. Softworx`s differentiator is its guaranteed delivery, which means it can focus on its customers` success, rather than the number and size of solutions sold.
Additional information is available at www.esoftworx.co.za.
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