IBS extends the use of its world-leading supply chain management software to multiple platforms

IBS AB (XSSE IBS B), International Business Systems, in alliance with IBM, announces the main elements of its product strategy and development plans. The aim is to advance IBS current position as one of  the world leading vendors in the area of supply chain execution (AMR Research 2004).

"Today, we announce the next step in our history of delivering world-class distribution and supply chain software. Our strategic alliance with IBM, coupled with a highly efficient development environment, will enable us to meet and exceed the demands and requirements of our present and future customers. This includes the extension of IBS applications to multiple platforms," says Magnus Wastenson, CEO of IBS.

"With IBS' extensive development plans, they continue to be one of the leading independent Software Vendors in the international marketplace. Combining IBS' supply chain-focused applications with IBM's open infrastructure technology allows customers to take full advantage of powerful and flexible solutions that can deliver return on their present and future investments," says Buell Duncan, General Manager, ISV & Developer Relations, IBM.

The IBS product strategy consists of the following key areas:
Securing ROI for customers by developing solutions that facilitate increased automation, e-business, collaboration and integration throughout the supply chain
Extending the supply chain-focused enterprise software suite, ASW, to multiple platforms
Adding advanced functionality for key business processes and integration
Continued development of industry-specific solutions.

Securing ROI for customers by increased automation in the supply chain

Most companies today have reached a fairly high level of efficiency within their organisations. The big potential in process improvements for cost and customer service is in communication with customers and suppliers. IBS develops solutions that secure customers' improvement potential through increased collaboration and integration with their customers, suppliers and other business partners.

Extending the use of IBS ASW software to additional platforms

In order to maximise business advantage for customers, IBS software solutions are built on open and widely available technology standards. By combining the IBM WebSphere platform - the most widely installed open standards-based middleware in the industry - with IBS' leading business solutions, new and existing customers can build on current IT assets without having to replace existing servers. IBS software solutions utilise a combination of advanced technology with object- oriented Java for e-business, state of the art middleware (e.g. IBM WebSphere) and proven technology for handling high volume business transactions in mission critical systems. Using an efficient process that protects the investments made by IBS and its customers, the IBS software portfolio is expanded onto multiple deployment platforms.

"The guiding principle for all our development activities is to secure long-term value delivery for customers and securing their investments. Our highly efficient development environment enables us to develop, maintain and support one common product for a number of different platforms. This enables our customers to choose the technology base that best suits their present and future needs and requirements," says Mark Cockings, Vice President IBS Global Software.

Adding advanced functionality for key business processes and integration IBS has 5 000 customers in over 40 countries. The product range covers applications for CRM and sales order management, distribution and warehousing, planning and forecasting, service management, manufacturing and production, supplier relationship and procurement management, financial management, business intelligence and performance management, integration and collaboration as well as HRM in many countries. Current development activities cover enhancements in the areas of project management and planning, accounts receivable, credit control and management, inventory handling and stocktaking, pricing mechanisms and controls, sales restrictions and validations, backorder handling, shipment handling, returns handling, picking efficiency, multi-distribution centre handling, advanced planning and many other functional areas. IBS software is also developed to handle RFID. These enhancements will be part of the next release of the IBS product range that will be available in Q4 2005.

Continued development of industry specific solutions

IBS software is developed for mid-sized companies or subsidiaries of large international groups in selected industries. The common denominator for these industries is, among others, the need to handle  high transaction volumes. IBS software has specific functionality for a number of industries, such as pharmaceutical distribution, automotive aftermarket, paper and packaging, electrical distribution and electronic components, consumer durables, food and industrial supplies. Coming releases will contain added industry-specific functionality.

Planned product launches during 2005

In Q4 2005, IBS will introduce the next release of its ASW software. The new release will initially be offered for iSeries/i5OS and will be followed by additional Java deployment versions during 2006 for customers who wish to run the solution on other operating systems or databases.