SoftBrands Targets Eight Manufacturing Verticals to Provide ERP Solutions with Domain Expertise
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MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 17 / -- SoftBrands, Inc. (AMEX:SBN), a global supplier of enterprise application software, announced today that it will focus its Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One manufacturing solution on eight specific vertical markets. Those markets are food and beverage, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastics, medical devices, semiconductors, industrial machinery, and electronics. SoftBrands is an independent software vendor partner of SAP America, Inc.
These eight markets each have a very specific set of business requirements that challenge general ERP systems and most industry-specific systems. General business software lacks the necessary functional fit and is often not backed by implementation teams with domain expertise. Industry-specific vendors often lack the staying power and financial strength manufacturers look for in a technology partnership they will count on for many years. This is where the strength of the partnership between SoftBrands and SAP, a global leading provider of business software with a strong focus on the SME market, is critical.
"Targeting specific industries with dedicated vertical and microvertical solutions is a key method to fulfill the customers' individual demands," said Ralf Mehnert-Meland, director of business development for SAP Business One at SAP America, Inc. "SoftBrands is one of the partners embracing that approach by refining its focus and taking an important role in SAP's growing network of independent software vendors providing such customer-centric solutions."
Success in Food & Beverage
Fourth Shift Edition for Food and Beverage, for example, helped one manufacturer dramatically improve its inventory accuracy, lot control and production variances.
"Prior to going live with Fourth Shift Edition, we had inventory variances of anywhere from 30 to 40 percent -- sometimes as high as 45 percent -- when we would do our audits of inventory. After going live in November 2005, we had our first outside audit of inventory, and we were within 2 percent of our stated book value," said Jenny Wieser, COO at Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods, maker of award-winning gourmet sauces, jams and jellies. "With Fourth Shift Edition, the people behind the brand have a solid understanding of our business and our needs, which was critical to the success of this implementation."
Success in Chemicals
Fourth Shift Edition for Chemicals is helping Buddy's Plant Plus Corp., maker of water-soluble fertilizer for Scotts Miracle-Gro, track potency, monitor shelf life, and manage byproducts and coproducts -- all on an SAP- centric platform that was up and running quickly.
"Fourth Shift Edition won us over with an implementation methodology that would get us up and running quicker than others, and their partnership with SAP is huge as we continually work to nurture the relationship with Scotts, an SAP user," said Mike Riley, IT manager at Buddy's Plant Plus. Scotts is Buddy's Plant Plus Corp.'s only customer. "The benefits -- an SAP-centric system, quick implementation, great support team, experience with chemical manufacturers -- are too many to count, and I know we chose the right ERP system."
Partners Hail Vertical Approach
"The vertical-market strategy that SoftBrands has implemented for Fourth Shift Edition lets us provide more complete solutions to our manufacturing customers, who see real benefits from this verticalization," said Mike Nafziger, manager of IT consulting at RSM McGladrey, a Fourth Shift Edition partner. "Our manufacturing clients benefit because we can provide the robustness of the SAP Business One solution with manufacturing functionality provided by Fourth Shift Edition that is not found in competitive products. That's why we are excited about our partnership with SoftBrands and Fourth Shift Edition."
SoftBrands relies on partners such as RSM McGladrey to create a powerful global network to reach manufacturers with local knowledge and support. Fourth Shift Edition is the result of an alliance between SAP and SoftBrands that combines the strength and security of SAP with the mid-market manufacturing expertise of SoftBrands in a flexible, affordable package.
About SoftBrands
SoftBrands, Inc. is a global leader in providing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses in the manufacturing and hospitality industries worldwide. The company is a certified ISV partner of SAP America, Inc. With approximately 4,000 customers in more than 60 countries now actively using its manufacturing and hospitality products, SoftBrands has established a global infrastructure for distribution, development and support of enterprise software. The company, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has 600 employees with branch offices in Europe, India, Asia, Australia and Africa. Additional information can be found at softbrands.com/ .
About SAP
SAP is the world's leading provider of business software*. Today, more than 34,600 customers in more than 120 countries run SAP® applications -- from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize enterprises to suite offerings for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver® platform to drive innovation and enable business change, SAP software helps enterprises of all sizes around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP solution portfolios support the unique business processes of more than 25 industries, including high tech, retail, financial services, healthcare and the public sector. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." (Additional information at www.sap.com/ .)
(*) SAP defines business software as comprising enterprise resource planning and related applications such as supply chain management, customer relationship management, product life-cycle management and supplier relationship management.
Source: SoftBrands, Inc.
CONTACT: Mark Palony of SoftBrands, +1-612-851-1500, mark.palony@softbrands.com
Web site: softbrands.com/
