Oracle Buying NetSuite For $9.3 Billion

Oracle is buying ERP and omnichannel software provider NetSuite in a deal valued at around $9.3 billion, both companies announced.

The move reunites NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson with Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, who co-founded San Mateo, CA-based NetSuite in 1998. Ellison stepped down as NetSuite CEO two years ago.

Oracle CEO Mark Hurd said his company and NetSuite's cloud applications are complimentary.

"We intend to invest heavily in both products — engineering and distribution," Hurd said in a statement.

NetSuite — which reported a 30 percent year-over-year Q2 sales increase — provides cloud-based financials including ERP and omnichannel commerce software suites for distributors, manufacturers and retailers. Its software enables businesses to automate operations, streamline process and access real-time data on-demand.

NetSuite has more than 30,000 customers in more than 100 countries.

"NetSuite will benefit from Oracle's global scale and reach to accelerate the availability of our cloud solutions in more industries and more countries," said NetSuite's Nelson. "We are excited to join Oracle and accelerate our pace of innovation."

The transaction is expected to close this year.

Sonata to acquire Premier United States based Microsoft Dynamics Partner I.B.I.S., Inc.

Sonata Software, a global strategic IT solutions firm, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the supply chain software and services provider I.B.I.S., Inc. (INTERACTIVE BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.). Founded in 1989, I.B.I.S., Inc. has a strategic partnership with Microsoft for the Dynamics solution and delivers world-class supply chain solutions, including its proprietary Advanced Supply Chain Software solution. The acquisition of the United States based IBIS will allow Sonata, aBangalore, India based company to accelerate its footprint globally.

Advanced Supply Chain Software™ powered by I.B.I.S., Inc. is a total Dynamics® AX and CRM supply chain solution designed expressly to meet the needs of modern distributors, manufacturers, and retailers. A winning combination of industry supply chain expertise, world-class supply chain software, and 26 years of successful Microsoft Dynamics® implementations has culminated in making IBIS the preferred Microsoft Dynamics® partner and solution provider for distributors and manufacturers worldwide. The company already serves leading US enterprises.

Sonata’s vision is to provide digital transformation solutions to Retail, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), and Distribution companies. Microsoft Dynamics® AX and CRM solutions are being increasingly adopted globally by companies to transform their businesses. Sonata’s expertise, intellectual property, scale, and global presence with Microsoft Dynamics® AX, especially in the retail industry, along with IBIS expertise,intellectual property, and strong local footprint in the US within the distribution industry space will create a powerhouse that caters to Retail, CPG, and Distribution companies globally who want to deploy Microsoft Dynamics®.

Speaking on the occasion, Srikar Reddy, MD & CEO of Sonata Software said, “Sonata has a strong partnership with Microsoft on Dynamics globally. We have a strong footprint in Microsoft Dynamics® based Retail solutions. Together with IBIS, we now have a strong management team, world class Advanced Supply Chain Software™ for distribution companies, a solid referenceable customer base, and a strong and deep partnership with Microsoft in the United States. The marquee customers currently with Sonata and IBIS will both gain from the complementary capabilities we bring to the table.”

Andy Vabulas, founder and CEO, I.B.I.S., Inc. commented, “IBIS is excited to be a part of Sonata, which adds significant scale, a wider geographic footprint, and client base we can now access. We have built IBIS as a company over the past 26 years and believe my team and I have the right partner in Sonata to achieve our vision of a global scale Dynamics organization. Our clients, products, and services will gain from the rich engineering and delivery capability that Sonata has in the Microsoft Dynamics® portfolio. I’m sure this acquisition will enhance our product reach as we will be capable of delivering enhanced services while reaching many more clients globally. Our customers will benefit from the depth and breadth of the products and services that a global company like Sonata brings to the table.”

About Sonata Software

Sonata Software is a global IT services firm focused on catalysing transformational IT initiatives of its clients through deep domain knowledge, technology expertise and customer commitment. The company delivers innovative new solutions for Travel, Retail & Consumer Goods and Software Product Companies by integrating technologies such as Omni-channel commerce, Mobility, Analytics, Cloud and ERP, to drive enhanced customer engagement, operations efficiency and return on IT investments. A trusted long-term service provider to Fortune 500 companies across both the software product development and enterprise business segments, Sonata seeks to add differentiated value to leadership who want to make an impact on their businesses, with IT.

About I.B.I.S., Inc.

Founded in 1989, I.B.I.S., Inc. provides business solutions which enable companies with complex supply chain requirements to maximize their business success. Through a Strategic Developer Partner relationship with Microsoft, the company provides world-class solutions for enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), business intelligence (BI), and application development. I.B.I.S., Inc. specialties include Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM solutions focused on the supply chain needs of distribution, manufacturing, and retail industries.

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.

NetSuite will acquire email service provider Bronto Software

The deal will combine a major B2B and B2C e-commerce platform and business software provider with an email marketing company that works with more than 100 Top 1000 online merchants. NetSuite will pay $200 million for Bronto.

In a deal that will combine the resources of a major supplier of e-commerce software with those of an online marketing firm, NetSuite Inc. signed an agreement to purchase Bronto Software for $200 million.

NetSuite provides order management software to 15 merchants ranked in the new Internet Retailer 2015 Top 500 Guide, including Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (ranked No. 80), Groupon Goods (No. 30) and PureFormulas.com (No. 401). It also supplies customer relationship management (CRM) and fulfillment services to many of those retailers, and 27 e-retailers in the 2014 Second 500 Guide use NetSuite’s order management system and other services.

In total, the company says more than 3,000 business-to-business and business-to-consumer companies use its SuiteCommerce e-commerce platform. More than half of those customers are B2B, and last year it launched a new set of B2B software tools for its SuiteCommerce e-commerce platform.

In combining the marketing capabilities of Bronto with the e-commerce platform, order management and inventory visibility of NetSuite, the companies believe they have a unique opportunity to enable retailers to market to customers more effectively, Bronto CEO Joe Colopy and NetSuite general manager of commerce products Andy Lloyd said.

“Going forward, think about a retailer that’s sending out email marketing to their customer list,” Lloyd says. “They have specific items they want to market to that customer. If they send out the exact same email to all clients, they may be promoting an item that’s not in stock in the store a mile down the road from some customers. Now you’ll be able to do things like send email to consumers that takes into account not only their purchase history, but also things like what’s in stock in a local store.”

The companies will operate separately, and both are planning major hires. NetSuite plans to add 1,000 employees this year, Lloyd says, and Bronto is on track for an additional 100 hires, mostly at its headquarters in Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

Thirty-seven merchants in the 2015 Top 500 Guide, including JustFab Inc. (No. 98), Nasty Gal Inc. (No. 112) and CafePress.com (No. 140), and 67 merchants in the 2014 Second 500 Guide name Bronto as their email marketing provider. (The 2015 edition of the Second 500 Guide will be released in mid-May.)

NetSuite and Bronto say they will be able to supply retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors with NetSuite’s e-commerce and accounting software integrated with Bronto’s marketing tools.

“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,” says NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson. “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.”

The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015, subject to certain closing conditions and regulatory clearance.

STAFDA - Evaluating E-Commerce Software Webinar

Tue, Apr 21, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT

What You Will Learn
E-commerce has become a must-have for distributors. Customers expect to place an order via any sales channel: direct rep, catalog, branch, phone, web, or mobile device. To successfully deploy an e-commerce site, significant thought must be given to how the four key functional areas support your strategy. Even then, many e-commerce sites have a short life because they don’t deliver the desired results. Other qualitative factors must be considered to deliver a satisfying customer experience. This webinar will review the key components of implementing an e-commerce site and the top qualitative factors to make it a success.

This free program will cover:
* The four key functional areas of any e-commerce suite
* Critical features that every e-commerce solution should contain
* A review of the most important qualitative attributes (usability, navigation, security) that result in better customer experiences.

This will be a fast-paced 45 minute, content rich session followed by a 15 minute question and answer session.

About Jeff Gusdorf
Jeff Gusdorf, a Principal for BSW Consulting, is the company’s managing consultant and responsible for Enterprise Software consulting services and Enterprise Software research and evaluation. Jeff is STAFDA’s Technology Consultant who writes our quarterly Technology Advisory and publishes the Distribution and Manufacturers Software Guides. 

Register for Free at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7972793373798153474

Demand Management Incorporates Business Intelligence into Demand Solutions DSX Platform

New Capabilities Help Companies Add Value Across the Enterprise

Demand Management Inc., a leading global resource for supply chain management solutions, has announced the availability of business intelligence (BI) functionality within its Demand Solutions DSX platform. The solution now incorporates native BI into its data tables to let users mine and share data efficiently across the supply chain.

“A common complaint among supply chain planners is that the most useful data lives in spreadsheets scattered across the business,” says Bill Harrison, president of Demand Management. “We’ve created a multidimensional cube that lets all stakeholders extract data from systems throughout the supply chain and work with that data through an intuitive web-based front end. By deciding which information they want to see and developing a meaningful view of it, users can learn more about their own businesses and make decisions that incorporate this knowledge.”

The BI functionality within Demand Solutions DSX is delivered by way of Foundation Analytical Packs that are available for the apparel, consumer packaged goods, energy, food and beverage, wholesale distribution, pharmaceutical and biotech, and general manufacturing and service parts industries. Users can leverage the best practices built into these packs to get their analytics activities up and running, but can also configure the packs over time to reflect the needs of their individual businesses.

“Our Foundation Analytical Packs are designed to save companies time and money,” says Harrison. “They incorporate Demand Management’s many years of experience working with customers in each of seven different vertical markets. We’ve done all the hard work of building the reports and linking them to our database so that customers can spend more time analyzing their results and taking decisive action.”

In particular, Harrison hopes supply chain planners who are frustrated at having to build their own reports will investigate Demand Management’s new functionality. These features can eliminate the need for planners to write reports.

“You shouldn’t have to implement your own analytics tools around your supply chain planning solution,” Harrison remarks. “Our BI functionality relieves this burden by providing complete drill-down capabilities from summary information into potential issues and opportunities. Ask us how it can help you extend your supply chain planning beyond the ‘how, when, and where’ stage and into running your entire business more effectively.”

About Demand Management, Inc.

Demand Management, Inc. is a leading global supply chain planning software company that offers affordable, easy-to-use tools for manufacturers and distributors who want to increase forecast accuracy, improve customer service levels and reduce overall inventory to maximize profits and lower costs. The company offers the Demand Solutions supply chain planning suite for forecast management, demand planning, collaborative forecasting and inventory planning as well as modules for advanced planning and scheduling (APS), sales and operations planning (S&OP) and point of sale analysis. Demand Management, Inc. has over 25 years of experience working with supply chain professionals and has incorporated best practices and real-world business requirements in its software from its extensive customer base in 76 countries. Demand Solutions customers include Lonely Planet, Trek Bicycle and Avery Dennison. Demand Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Logility, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Software (NASDAQ: AMSWA).

For more information, please visit www.demandsolutions.com.

VAI Webinar: Learn How S2K for Food Helps Comply with FDA Safety Regulation

September 27, 2011 at 2:00pm ET

The new FDA legislation is geared toward bringing the Distributors and Manufacturers industries quality control standards to the level that currently exists in the pharmaceutical industry. According to the new act, Distributors and Manufacturers will be required to keep control of their inventory recalls and know what products were shipped to which clients. Failure to comply with the new standards will result in severe penalties and a complete recall of all shipments for that period.

To register, visit: http://www.vai.net/events

Acumatica Releases Version 2.2 of its Cloud Accounting, ERP, and CRM Software

New features improve capabilities for wholesale distributors, manufacturers, multi-national companies, and service companies.

On August 17, 2011 Acumatica released the latest version of its Cloud ERP software that includes several customer driven enhancements such as automated bank reconciliation, inventory allocation by sales order, expanded replenishment algorithms, flexible payment remittance, and more. Cloud and on-premise customers can choose to install these updates at a time that is convenient to them.

“Acumatica responded quickly to our needs by delivering inventory allocation features that are critical to our distribution business,” said Ehren Dimitry, President at AME Corporation. “Even after my initial purchase, I was able to work closely with product experts who were able to configure the upgrade for my business.”

Acumatica 2.2 includes changes and updates to the financial, distribution, and customer management modules. Many features were implemented based on customer requests while others were built to expand the reach of Acumatica in the wholesale distribution, manufacturing, retail, and service industry verticals. The changes were built using the Acumatica web development platform to ensure compatibility with existing security settings, reporting capabilities, customizations, and third party modules.

“Our advanced platform design allows us to rapidly publish new releases without breaking customizations made by partners and customers,” said Ali Jani, Vice President of Product Management at Acumatica. “This is critical for our mid-sized customers who want to take advantage of Cloud technologies but require software that adapts to their unique business processes.”

Availability:
SaaS customers and license customers with up-to-date maintenance contracts can get the latest release by contacting their value added reseller (VAR) to schedule an upgrade. Details about the release can be downloaded from the Acumatica Cloud ERP website.