Software provides front-end automation.
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Press Release Summary:
Lean Front-EndSM Standard Edition applies lean principles to optimize front-end sales and customer service processes, eliminate waste, and realign value streams. Suited for small to mid-size manufacturers, software provides product catalog and selection guide, product configuration, customized quote and proposal generation with automatic follow-up, order management, flexible sales, quote and order reporting, and analytics, all through Web portal.
Original Press Release:
BigMachines Launches Lean Front-End(SM) Standard Edition to Serve the Needs of Small to Medium-Size Enterprises (SMEs)
Using a hosted, on-demand application delivery model, the LFE Standard Edition offers many of the features of BigMachines' LFE Enterprise, to provide SMEs with an affordable solution that drives front-end cost reductions and cycle time improvements.
Chicago, Illinois - September 10, 2003 - BigMachines, Inc., the premier provider of innovative solutions for manufacturers, today announced the roll-out of its Lean Front-End (LFE) Standard Edition. The next-generation solution is designed to meet the needs of small and midsize manufacturers, and can also serve as an entry point to lean front-end optimization for larger manufacturers.
Like BigMachines' LFE Enterprise Edition for global manufacturers, the LFE Standard Edition is a powerful solution that applies lean principles and innovative technology tools to optimize front-end sales and customer service processes, eliminate waste and realign value streams to reduce costs, improve speed and customer service.
BigMachines developed its LFE Standard Edition in response to the SME market's urgent need for front-end automation. While many manufacturers have adopted a lean philosophy - for back-end manufacturing processes - a majority of SMEs still rely on manual processes, paper-based catalogs and price books and, sometimes, rudimentary technology designed in-house.
The robust capabilities of the LFE Standard Edition include: product catalog and selection guide, product configuration, customized quote and proposal generation with automatic follow-up, order management, flexible sales, quote and order reporting and analytics - all accessible through an affordable, secure, customized Web portal. This translates to a digitized selling environment that makes your entire sales organization and channel as good as your best sales person with perfect information.
According to the company's CEO and co-founder Godard Abel, "Smaller manufacturers have typically not been able to obtain these front-end sales automation tools to streamline their processes and disseminate information quickly and easily to their domestic and global sales channels and customers. With the LFE Standard Edition's Web-based platform and economical pricing structure, these companies can now implement an automated, deeply functional solution that will enable them to extend their capabilities to serve worldwide markets and compete with larger players in their marketplace."
Fast, Convenient Web Access With No Set-Up Charges
Because the LFE Standard Edition is a fully hosted application suite, implementation is fast and easy - typically less than one month with BigMachines' LFE quick-start service package. The software offers built-in core processes and a menu of templates and process options to provide users with "out-of-the-box" implementation and speed to value and ROI. In the set-up phase, a batch file integration process is installed to extract from back-end data systems the customer and parts information that will be required by front-end sales and engineering processes.
Ed Wylonis, BigMachines' VP/Products, explains: "Since most smaller manufacturers' legacy systems do not support easy XML-based integration, we developed a batch file integration process whereby we send a document that captures order data in XML, text and/or EDI formats. These files can then be loaded into the manufacturer's order entry system. This approach enables users to gain the value of integration and near real-time information flow without having to upgrade their back-end systems or make a huge investment in integration technology."
In fact, a standard Internet browser is the only requirement for manufacturers and their channel partners to use BigMachines' powerful LFE Standard Edition. There are no set-up costs; simply a monthly subscription fee based on the number of internal and external users. The LFE Standard Edition is also available in a modified format designed for parts sales only - this version enables smaller businesses to automate spare parts sales and support sales channels and customers via a Web-based platform. At any time, LFE Standard Edition users may choose to upgrade to the LFE Enterprise Edition, assisted by BigMachines' seamless migration path and professional services.
About BigMachines, Inc. and BigMachines AG
BigMachines (www.bigmachines.com) enables manufacturers of complex products to quickly transform their front-end sales, channel and customer service processes by delivering the Lean Front-End. The Lean Front-End leverages both lean principles and software technology to quickly optimize value streams. A Lean Front-End creates a global platform that integrates all of a manufacturer's knowledge, information, and tools. This eliminates waste, mistake-proofs the processes, and establishes rapid information flow, all of which results in lower costs and better, faster customer service. BigMachines' customer base includes business units of Crane Co., SPX Corporation, US Filter, Conair Group and other leading manufacturers.
BigMachines, the BigMachines logo, and the Lean Front-End Solution are trademarks of BigMachines, Inc.
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