Category Archives: ERP

Capgemini, Dominos, Enterprise IT, ERP, Kevin Vasconi, NetSuite, News & Analysis, Pizza

Dominos taps Capgemini, cloud to streamline ordering system

Dominos has worked with Capgemini on a number of IT-related initiatives

Dominos has worked with Capgemini on a number of IT-related initiatives

Dominos Pizza has enlisted outsourcing incumbent Capgemini to help implement a cloud-based equipment and supply ordering system in a move the compan said would make its online and phone ordering processes more efficient.

The system, built on the NetSuite SuiteCommerce platform, will replace its existing equipment and supply order management platform.

Dominos, which has over 1,000 independent franchises in North America alone, said the cloud-based platform is integrated with its franchisee support organisation, and will make franchisee ordering more efficient by streamlining the pizza-making process.

“As a leading global retailer in online transactions, we are well known for using innovative technologies to enhance our customer experience, but what we do for our franchisees is equally important,” said Kevin Vasconi, Domino’s Pizza executive vice president and chief information officer.

“With the help of Capgemini, we are significantly improving the efficiency, availability and functionality of our franchisee ordering system, ultimately providing an improved experience for our franchise partners and a platform for Domino’s to drive future growth opportunities,” he said.

Capgemini also worked with Dominos North America to integrate the NetSuite platform with its existing ERP platform and data warehouse, which the companies said will help Dominos sales representatives improve the accuracy and efficiency of phone orders, and better equip them to assist customers with online or phone inquires.

“We are proud to be a longstanding provider for Domino’s and are excited about our work together to further enhance their reputation as a digital leader in serving up technology innovations for  franchisees and customers,” said Ted Levine, global sector leader, consumer products & retail, Capgemini. “Our extensive experience as a leading systems integrator and deep experience in the restaurant industry segment enables us to help Domino’s improve operational effectiveness through technology.”

Bronto Software, ERP, Marketing, NetSuite, News & Analysis, Software as a service

NetSuite buys Bronto to bolster retail marketing capabilities

NetSuite is acquiring Bronto Software to blend its marketing automation capabilities with its ERP platform

NetSuite is acquiring Bronto Software to blend its marketing automation capabilities with its ERP platform

Cloud ERP incumbent NetSuite has acquired Bronto Software, a provider of cloud-based marketing automation software for omnichannel commerce, in a deal worth about $200m.

Founded in 2002, Bronto offers retailers cloud-based omnichannel marketing software for campaign lifecycle management and claims to sell its services to over 1,400 businesses including some of the world’s top brands (Armani Exchange, Timex ,Trek Bikes).

NetSuite said Bronto’s offerings will complement its SuiteCommerce, an ERP platform tailored to B2B and B2C commerce.

“This combination, for the first time ever, ties a rich marketing automation system with a cloud-based omnichannel commerce platform. The capabilities this solution will deliver are transformational,” said Zach Nelson, chief executive of NetSuite.

“Just as customers demand seamless cross-channel shopping experiences, they increasingly expect companies to communicate consistently through all of their digital experiences – on site, at stores, in email or through social or mobile. By combining the two companies’ offerings and technology, we can help merchants deliver relevant and consistent digital commerce experiences throughout the customer journey,” Nelson said.

Joe Colopy, chief executive of Bronto Software said the two companies will integrate their respective offerings.

“Today’s consumers expect brands to know them across every channel and marketing touchpoint. Providing that type of experience demands a unified approach to digital engagement, whether driving transactions online or offline or engaging with them through website, email, mobile or social,” he said.

“This will help merchants to better engage with their customers, drive repeat purchases and build lifelong loyalty.”

Over the years many large incumbents like Oracle and SAP as well as newer upstarts like Salesforce have moved quickly to strengthen their position in marketing automation through acquisition. Integrating ERP with marketing automation is a no-brainer, particularly when catering to firms with complex supply chains, so it’s no surprise NetSuite, a relatively new player in the field, is following in the same footsteps as other ERP players.

Big Data, Enterprise IT, ERP, IDC, Internet of Things, IoT, Kimberly Knickle, Manufacturing, News & Analysis

Close to half of manufacturers look to cloud for operational efficiency, survey reveals

Manufacturers are flocking to cloud services to reap operational benefits

Manufacturers are flocking to cloud services to reap operational benefits

About half of all large manufacturers globally are using or plan to use IT services based on public cloud platform in a bid to driver operational efficiency, an IDC research survey reveals.

A recently published IDC survey which polled 437 IT decision makers at large manufacturing firms globally suggests manufacturers are looking to cloud services primarily to simplify their operations.

A majority of manufacturers worldwide are currently using public (66 per cent) or private cloud (68 per cent) for more than two applications, and nearly 50 per send of European manufacturers have adopted or intend to adopt ERP in the public cloud.

But only 30 to 35 per cent of respondents said operations, supply chain and logistics, sales, or engineering were likely to benefit through adoption.

“Manufacturers are in the midst of a digital transformation, in which 3rd platform technologies are absolutely essential to the way they do business and in the products and services they provide to their customers.  Consequently, a strategic approach to adopting cloud is absolutely essential,” said Kimberly Knickle, research director, IDC Manufacturing Insights.

“Because of cloud’s tremendous value in making IT resources available to the business based on business terms –speed, cost, and accessibility- manufacturers must  ensure that the line of business and IT management work together in defining their requirements,” Knickle said.

The firm said manufacturers are likely to opt for private cloud platforms in the near term in a bid to expand their IT estates to the cloud, but that capacity requirements will likely eventually shift those platforms onto larger public cloud platforms. A big driver for this will be the Internet of Things, with a cloud a key component in allowing manufacturers to more easily make use of the data that will be connected from sensors throughout manufacturing operations.

ERP, NetSuite, News & Analysis, Oracle, SAP, Scott Scherr, Software as a service, Ultimate Software, Zach Nelson

Ultimate Software, NetSuite link HCM and ERP clouds

Ultimate Software and NetSuite are integrating their HCM and ERP services

Ultimate Software and NetSuite are integrating their HCM and ERP services

Ultimate Software, a provider of cloud-based human capital management services has inked a deal with NetSuite, a vendor of ERP cloud services, which will see the two companies integrate their software.

The two companies will integrate the UltiPro HCM solution and NetSuite’s ERP suite, which will enable joint customers to manage a broader chunk of their business lifecycles –financials, supply chain, CRM, payroll, HR, and talent management.

“By connecting UltiPro’s rich HR, talent, and payroll capabilities to NetSuite’s suite of ERP applications, Ultimate and NetSuite offer businesses the ability to manage their entire spectrum of business technology needs through two of the most trusted cloud vendors in the world—while enjoying industry-leading functionality, scalability, and configurability—without requiring point solutions for different business applications,” said Scott Scherr, chief executive officer of Ultimate.

“Not only are both our solutions leaders in cloud business technology, but our commitment to culture and service to customers is highly aligned.  We’re excited to bring this partnership to the market,” Scherr said.

Zach Nelson, chief executive officer of NetSuite said: “The combination of Ultimate’s robust HCM functionality together with NetSuite’s system of record for core operational processes provides our customers with a tightly integrated solution to run the core aspects of their business.”

The move suggests cloud ERP vendors are looking to double down on beating the large incumbents at their own game. The SAPs and Oracles of the world have long found that combining ERP and HR platforms make them more attractive to some large enterprises, so any move to bring end-to-end integration of these services in the cloud space will likely be welcome news to born-in-the-cloud firms that are also keen on de-risking their supply chains with multiple vendors.

Business Processes, Cloud & IT Management, Enterprise resource planning, ERP

Cloud computing for improved business efficiency

A continued drive for optimum efficiency should be at the very heart of the business strategy of any organization wishing to stay relevant, profitable and competitive in their chosen field. Only by ensuring that operations are being carried out in the most effective and efficient way possible, with regard to all factors of the company, such as staff time and overhead investments, can it be sure it is achieving the best possible outcomes and therefore laying the foundations for ongoing success and continued growth.

In recent years, through the rapid development of technology and the opportunities it provides businesses, IT has been at the heart of identifying such efficiencies and the most forward thinking companies in all fields are now looking towards cloud based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to help them achieve exactly that and thereby guarantee ongoing and future success.

The advantages

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the term used to describe complex database systems introduced within organizations that enable employees, at all corporate levels, to access in a secure and appropriate way, real-time data. The advantages of doing so are all about efficiency, as access provides significantly greater scope for collaboration and streamlining. Everyone within the business is given a new kind of visibility of the relevant data and is therefore empowered and encouraged to identify ways of improving business operations to improve efficiency and reduce overheads as a result.

Cloud ERP is the term used to describe ERP software hosted on a platform maintained remotely, over the Internet, thus removing the necessity for individual companies to invest in expensive computer systems.

ERP software therefore has the potential to be a hugely helpful tool with regard to business support and planning and is perfect for creating an efficient, ordered and scalable backbone for any project within this area.

The right approach

ERP and cloud computing is employed across almost the entire range of industries, from heavy engineering to architecture. The most appropriate system depends very much on the business in question and its specific requirements.

Things to consider when deciding on the right approach include the following.

  • The size of the business in question, including projections and ambitions for growth and development.
  • The operational systems that are already in place, which could be replaced, streamlined or evolved through the introduction of cloud computing.
  • The fundamental vision and values of the business, what it is trying to achieve and how the introduction of such software could potentially contribute to future growth and development.

Staying relevant

Very few organizations are able to operate today without the application of technology in at least its most basic form. Ensuring that a company has the right systems in place to support the delivery of its goals and aspirations is a fundamental consideration.

Most analysts and expert commentators agree that the role technology plays in business is only going to increase, so installing the most appropriate solutions in place is the best way to ensure that a company does not get left behind.

Business Processes, Enterprise resource planning, ERP, Manned mission to Mars, Mars, Mars Science Laboratory, Red Planet, SYSPRO

Beyond Cloud Computing: ERP Helps to Land Curiosity Rover on Mars

SYSPRO, a devoper of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for on-premise and cloud-based utilization, announced today that Windings, a manufacturer of custom electric motor and generator components and a user of SYSPRO ERP since 1998, is the producer of a key component of the sky crane’s braking system that safely lowered Curiosity to the Red Planet for the rover’s explanatory journey of the Mars landscape.

While smaller rovers of past Mars mission have utilized airbag landing systems, the size of Curiosity necessitated the utilization of a special landing system to provide a soft landing for the huge vehicle.

According to Windings President and CEO Jerry Kauffman, this was not the first time that a Windings-built component has been instrumental in assisting in the exploration of planets, as well as the earth’s nearest neighbor, the moon. However, he did indicate that the Curiosity mission is the first time a Windings component has been utilized in the braking system of a device to safely land a large, mobile instrument package on the surface of a planet.

Windings, which is based in New Ulm, MN, has utilized SYSPRO Enterprise Resource Planning software since 1998. Prior to that time, Windings had been utilizing an IBM System 36, which lacked the flexibility to deal with the mixed-mode manufacturing operations utilized by Windings to produce both standard and custom electromagnetic motors, generators and sub-assemblies for numerous industrial uses, including factory automation, renewable energy, automotive, medical, defense and aerospace.


Enterprise resource planning, ERP, IFS, Mobile

IFS Launches New Smartphone Apps

IFS, the global enterprise applications company, launched seven new smartphone apps in the IFS Touch Apps series, in addition to its first app for Windows Phone and Windows 8. The new applications—which are available from Google Play Store, Apple App Store and Windows Marketplace—offer intuitive mobile functionality in areas such as human resources, customer relationship management, ad-hoc reporting, enterprise application search, vehicle management, and IFS support services.

Following on from the release of IFS Notify Me, a cloud-based smartphone app for purchase, expense and invoice approvals, IFS is now extending its offering for the mobile workforce with seven new apps. In addition, IFS is also releasing IFS Notify Me for Windows Phone and Windows 8.

The new IFS Touch Apps are:

IFS Time Tracker for project time and attendance reporting, confirmation, etc.

IFS Trip Tracker for real-time, as-you-travel expense reporting for the mobile individual.

IFS Sales Companion for sales people to manage their accounts, tasks and opportunities.

IFS Quick Reports for running and viewing ad-hoc reports on a mobile device.

IFS Quick Facts for fast keyword search of any object in IFS Applications.

IFS Flight Log for management of platform operational data in the aerospace and defense industry.

IFS Support Companion for interaction with IFS support centers.

“By focusing on the actual needs of our mobile users, we have developed an app concept that delivers enhanced user experience, ease-of-use, and security to promote high user acceptance and increased efficiency,” IFS CTO Dan Matthews said. “The functionality of the new Touch Apps has largely been determined by our customers to exactly match their needs. In this way, we continue to produce functionally rich, elegant apps that are easy to try, buy and use.”

IFS bridges the gap between the fast-moving world of smartphones and apps and the slower-moving world of ERP software via a unique use of cloud technology. Rather than having the apps talk directly to the ERP back-end, the apps talk to services running inside IFS Cloud.

The IFS Touch Apps are designed to offer great, hassle-free user experience to the mobile workforce. The apps are focused on quick-to-complete tasks and present the user with only the relevant, rather than all, information. The apps are designed to minimise typing and allow the user to exit the app at any point and continue later.


Business Processes, Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise resource planning, ERP, Hardware, Medical, Supply chain, SYSPRO, SYSPRO ERP

SYSPRO ERP Software Able to Facilitate Medical Device Unit Recalls

SYSPRO today announced that SYSPRO ERP software offers manufacturers extensive traceability capabilities to facilitate the ability of manufacturers to trace products from origin, through the manufacturing process, to their ultimate destination, fully maintaining assurance certification and tracking expiration dates. The reaffirmation of the extensive traceability functionalities inherent in SYSPRO ERP software was in reaction to the announcement that “over 123 million medical device units were recalled in the second quarter of 2012, reaching an eight-quarter high,” according to the quarterly ExpertRECALL Index released August 22, 2012.

SYSPRO lot traceability and serial tracking functionality afford extensive visibility up or down the supply chain, as well as providing specific component to parent tracking, thereby providing the means to expedite recalls, should the need arise. SYSPRO optionally allows specific traceable components to be reserved for specific work-orders, as well as providing the flexibility of specifying the parent traceable numbers at the beginning, during or the end of the manufacturing process.

The Associated Press article reporting the record number of recalls contains the following statement by Mike Rozembajgier, vice president of recalls at Stericycle ExpertRECALL, “The growing importance of this product category means that companies need to have a comprehensive recall plan in place that can be deployed within the blink of an eye and can effectively protect their customers…”

According to SYSPRO USA President Joey Benadretti, “The implementation of cost- effective SYSPRO software helps medical device manufacturers streamline their supply chains and also to employ extensive ‘backwards and forwards’ component and product traceability for speedy recalls.


Business Intelligence, Business Processes, Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise resource planning, ERP, Mobile

New Mobile Cloud Technology and Analytics Revitalize Next-Generation ERP Implementations

VAI, an ERP software provider, unveiled two new white papers — authored by renowned IT consultant Michael Dortch — that provide top-line guidance on how to maximize the value of existing ERP implementations with new innovations in mobile cloud technology, analytics and business intelligence. The papers, exclusively available from VAI at www.vai.net, outline specific steps that both business and IT professionals should take to add new functionality and value to ERP deployments while leveraging existing investments with minimal user disruption.

Dortch, long recognized as an ERP implementation expert for the past 25 years from his post at DortchOnIT.com, offers his advice to business leaders in the IT + “ERP3” = More Business Value paper and to IT staff in the “ERP 3” = From Enterprise Resource Planning to Enabling Rock Solid Processes. Both papers can be downloaded here at the VAI news page.

Among the key highlights of both papers is a look at how key industries will be transformed by adding new mobile cloud technology to their ERP implementations. Below is a quick snapshot of how five industries will benefit:

  • Distribution: workers at any point in the value chain will
    access real-time inventory information, uncover slow-moving or
    out-of-stock items, and improve order fill rates, inventory turns and
    responses to customer demands
  • Food Service: workers will hasten production and lower
    operational costs by replacing manual, error-prone paperwork with
    integrated solutions for tablet sand smartphones
  • Manufacturing: mobile networked devices and on-demand software
    will enable seamless integration, tracking and optimization of tasks
    from inventory, shop floor and warehouse management to capacity and
    materials planning and product quality control
  • Retail: automation of tasks and processes will improve
    inventory, purchasing, warehouse management and customer relationship
    management at point of sale, both in-store and online
  • Service: improved integration of customer interaction and
    product-related information will ease and hasten superior service and
    repair, increasing customer satisfaction dramatically

“Mobile cloud technology will improve cost and operational efficiencies while expanding collaboration with customers, vendors and partners,” said Dortch. “That, coupled with new innovations from IBM’s Websphere portal and Cognos Business Intelligence, can ignite existing ERP implementations with graphically rich personalized dashboards and easy-to-use yet highly functional e-commerce applications.”

In both papers, Dortch offers specific guidance on how to get started with adding new functionality to ERP implementations such as:

  • Embrace Customization as a way to reinvigorate existing ERP
    investments
  • Conduct an Audit to examine your organization’s readiness to
    add mobile cloud functionality
  • Develop Specific Criteria for upgrading ERP systems based on
    detailed feedback from both IT and business stakeholders
  • Create an ERP Playbook that outlines ERP goals, processes and
    supporting IT resources that will be embraced by both IT and business
    teams.


Amazon AWS, Business Processes, CDC Software, Enterprise resource planning, ERP

CDC Software Launches Ross 7.0, Its Next Generation Suite of ERP Applications

CDC Software, an enterprise software provider of on-premise and cloud technologies, today announced the general availability of Ross ERP 7.0, the major release of its next generation of ERP applications offering improved interoperability, increased collaborative capabilities, enhanced usability, new mobility features and more advanced traceability that can lead to higher productivity, faster decision-making, and reduced costs and risk – all with a low total cost of ownership.

Ross ERP 7.0 takes ERP to the next level in enterprise visibility, collaboration, reporting, mobility and social manufacturing with new functionality featured in Enterprise Viewer, Document Connect, Event Management Framework, and Ross Mobile 2.0. Advanced collaborative techniques found in Facebook and Google were incorporated into Ross Enterprise Viewer and EMF. For example, utilizing “Subscribe and Follow” techniques, Enterprise Viewer allows sales reps to subscribe to a sales “widget” then follow the sales of their own customers on their dashboards. As another example, EMF delivers real-time alerts to the sales rep whenever one of their customers exceeds certain credit limits. Continuing Ross’ focus on vertical-industry needs for the process manufacturer, Ross 7.0 offers deeper functionality in traceability, pricing, product costing and quality control.

We are very excited to launch our next generation of Ross Enterprise that was designed in partnership with our customers and various industry associations,” said Sherri Rodriguez, president of Ross Systems, a business unit of CDC Software. “Ross ERP 7.0 takes an intuitive, social networking, collaborative and proactive approach to information management that can transform a process manufacturer into an agile business with broad visibility into its operations. Notably, with the new, extensive enhancements in the core modules, Ross 7.0 also offers one of the market’s most comprehensive and feature rich quality management application available today.“

Highlights of Ross ERP 7.0:

  • Enterprise Viewer. This new user interface employs “widgets” to push
    relevant, real-time information to users. A “widget” displays specific
    information about customers and products, such as “Orders Due To Ship
    Today” and “Inventory Availability.” After subscribing to a given
    “widget,” a user can then follow their selected customers or products,
    with the ability to execute drill downs and key commands directly from
    the widget, helping to increase user productivity and customer service
    levels.
  • New Document Connect. This new feature allows users to drag and drop
    documents, including videos, directly into Ross ERP screens from their
    desktops, then later access these same documents from the screens,
    eliminating the need to manually store and retrieve documents on one’s
    file server. The feature automatically stores and indexes
    transactional documents in a preconfigured SharePoint file structure.
  • Event Management Framework’s (EMF) alert engine. This new feature
    delivers real-time, actionable alert messages to users’ dashboards,
    emails and mobile devices. In addition to exception conditions, users
    can be alerted to non-events, such as no response to a purchase order
    or an overdue delivery.
  • Ross Mobile 2.0. This new native mobile application offers access to
    customer, sales, inventory and other key enterprise information on
    iPhone and Android devices, helping to expedite one’s decision-making
    and improving customer service.
  • Enhanced TraceExpress. New enhancements included in Ross ERP 7.0
    reduce the number of product trace paths and allow users to review the
    details of a Lot Trace within a certain Date Range, helping to
    expedite product recall notifications and facilitate compliance even
    further.
  • Ross Reporting Services. Based upon Microsoft’s SQL Server Reporting
    Services, this new feature offers embedded graphical objects and
    transactional links within its report templates to generate
    interactive reports in a variety of formats across the ERP modules.