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Friday, September 11, 2015

Download 2015 Mid-Year Supplements

New Software Research Guides Available 

Can not keep up with all the changes in the latest software?

Want to know how the software's features and functions can assist you?

Then read the 2015 Mid-Year Supplements

Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and the Brown Smith Wallace Consulting Group, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Consulting Group and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Poll: Majority Of Manufacturers Rely On Spreadsheets Instead Of ERP

A new survey suggests that a majority of top manufacturers and distributors still rely on spreadsheets and other manual processes instead of business management software.

According to the 2015 Manufacturing Survey by Illinois-based accounting firm Sikich LLP, 53 percent of those polled used manual processes to measure key performance indicators, compared to just 26 percent that used applications such as enterprise resource systems.

“The persistence of manual processes in the industry is troubling," said Sikich’s Jim Wagner. "Technology can help companies grow more efficient, lower costs and better serve customers. It has the potential to transform the industry and drive success, but companies need to make full use of it to realize gains."

The survey found that companies use technology in greater numbers to improve manufacturing processes, business intelligence, reporting and customer service.

In addition, 54 percent expected their revenue to increase by more than 5 percent in 2015, while 96 percent projected hiring to remain constant or increase this year.

Although about half of respondents were more optimistic about the national economy compared to 2014, Sikich analysts said that many companies remained hesitant to expand product offerings or markets.

Almost 40 percent of those polled expected existing markets to be their top opportunities for growth, while nearly one in three planned to spend less than 1 percent of sales on new product development.

The vast majority of respondents anticipated rising tax, labor and raw materials costs over the next 12 months.

“Many manufacturers continue to adopt a cautious approach to growth,” Wagner said. “But while a focus on existing markets presents less risk, it won’t sustain manufacturers forever."

The 2015 report surveyed 116 manufacturers and distributors; nearly 75 percent of participants reported annual revenue of more than $1 million.

IBS Named 2014 Qlik Nordic Rookie Partner of the Year

Ability to drive joint business growth cited as key IBS strength.

International Business Systems, a global supply chain software leader, has recently been named 2014 Nordic Rookie Partner of the Year by Qlik, a leader in visual analytics. The award recognizes IBS' contribution to the Qlik business ecosystem and ability to drive joint business growth on the strength of its industry-leading IBS Analytics solution, a data discovery platform powered by QlikView that makes data actionable for every user. IBS claimed the award during its first full year as an official Qlik OEM partner.

Unlike tools that simply put a new face on the same old data, the IBS Analytics solution optimizes data structures and provides an analytical query engine, interactive user experience, highly graphical interface and collaboration tools to support the way humans naturally search for information. With it, users can explore complex data, detect patterns, share and compare information, and make proactive business decisions using easy-to-navigate dashboards and easy-to-understand visualizations.

"Our partnership with Qlik is just one more demonstration of our commitment to IBS customers to provide the most powerful, productive and results-oriented software in the supply chain industry," said Doug Braun, IBS CEO.  "It is a great honor for us to receive this award, which we consider to be only the first in a long-term relationship that will benefit our mutual customers moving forward."

The Qlik Partner Awards recognize the Qlik partner community for excellence in several categories.

"IBS is an important partner in our go-to-market strategy and helps us extend our leadership in delivering solutions for guided analytics and self-service visualization," said Johan Salenstedt, Vice President of Nordic Sales & Managing Director at Qliktech Nordic AB, and Country Manager at Qlik. "We are proud to acknowledge the achievements made in 2014 by IBS, and look forward to our mutual success in 2015."

About IBS

International Business Systems (IBS) is a leading global integrated ERP, WMS and supply chain distribution software solution provider. For more than 35 years, we have helped customers such as WORLDPAC, Fidelitone, Associated Pharmacies, Inc., GILLIG, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Miele Inc., Tri Literal LLC, Mighty Auto Parts, Victory Packaging Inc. and many more streamline, automate and accelerate their distribution network processes, and drive profitability and efficiency.

For more information, please visit www.ibs.net or contact:

Renee Truttmann
Chief Marketing Officer
+1 760 201 6243
renee.truttmann@ibs.net

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