UCS Solutions, the region`s leading retail business and technology solutions company (previously Affinity Logic), today announced an alliance agreement with JDA Software Group, Inc that will open up new opportunities for southern African retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers through access to some of the world`s most advanced software technology.
UCS Solutions becomes a strategic ally for JDA in this region, representing its products, developing key client relationships and new market opportunities, along with providing implementation and technical support services. The JDA relationship is a significant new addition to UCS Solutions` comprehensive set of world-class vendor agreements.
"We`ve been working for a long time to bring about this strategic alliance," says Richard Newton, CEO of UCS Solutions, part of the JSE-listed UCS Group. "Formalising our relationship with JDA into a broader, long-term alliance gives retailers and manufacturers in southern Africa access to superior software that integrates more tightly into their businesses, resulting in more value for their end customers. It is consistent with our strategy to work with the world`s best software providers.
Hamish Brewer, CEO of JDA Software, commented: "This relationship is a major step forward for JDA in southern Africa. Finding an agent to proactively and professionally represent our products and services is not as easy as it might seem. With UCS, I believe we have found a credible and capable partner in whom JDA and our customers can place their trust. UCS Solutions is an ideal agent for us as it has competencies that span strategic business solutions, on-the-ground implementation services and 24x7 support, as well as value-added services, such as enterprise management and operations."
UCS Solutions is building a JDA practice and centre of excellence, working towards providing first line support, expertise in new products, and adding value for existing and new JDA clients.
The JDA Portfolio product range provides a broad range of systems covering the following major disciplines:
* Corporate merchandise management.
* In-store and CRM solutions including point-of-sale (POS), store inventory, customer data tracking and workforce management.
* Allocation and replenishment tools allow computer assisted ordering and replenishment, inventory optimisation and allocation.
* Planning and forecasting tools help in strategic and financial, assortment planning. Top-level business planning is provided through Portfolio Business Intelligence and Portfolio Advanced Optimisation for advanced analytic applications, while other components handle collaboration, revenue and infrastructure management.
"UCS Solutions will provide highly skilled resources to support existing and new JDA clients. The JDA relationship allows us to service the region`s retail, wholesale and manufacturing sector better, giving us more options in providing the most suitable technology to meet our customers` requirements," added Newton.
UCS Solutions` unique strength in this region lies in the breadth and depth of its implementation and support capabilities, combined with business solutions for enhancing processes both within and between enterprises.
"UCS Solutions has a number of clients using the Arthur merchandise and assortment planning tools from JDA Portfolio, and has also supported both JDA Portfolio Merchandise Management (PMM) and Merchandise Management System (MMS) implementation programmes, but we see a much wider potential. JDA`s offerings have expanded dramatically in the last two to three years with a number of acquisitions," commented Jessica Knight, leader of the Business Solutions and Applications division at UCS Solutions. "The retail market is super-competitive, and relies on absolute business efficiency. We can make a huge difference with the new JDA technologies that we bring to the South African retailer."
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