Thursday, September 10, 2009

SYSPRO gets Windows 7 compliant ahead of launch

Johannesburg, South Africa - 09September, 2009 --Johannesburg-based ERP vendor SYSPRO has become the first independent software vendor (ISV) in South Africa to become fully compliant with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system, which launches locally in October.

Microsoft South Africa's Colin Erasmus says he hopes SYSPRO's achievement of so-called "logo certification" will serve as encouragement for the rest of the local software development eco-system to tailor their software to the next version of Windows. The presence of the logo is designed to flag products that meet Windows 7's compatibility and performance standards.

Erasmus says solutions featuring the Windows logo "stand out from the crowd", offering an instant guarantee of quality and peace of mind for end users.

"The Windows 7 logo program ensures that third-party applications carrying the Windows brand are both easy to install and reliable on PCs running Windows 7. End users and customers value stability, reliability, performance, and quality in the systems they purchase," said Erasmus.

SYSPRO chief executive Phil Duff said the certification was critical in providing a clear upgrade path to its 14 000 customers worldwide. SYSPRO operates in 60 countries across six continents.

"Many of our customers are looking to upgrade to Windows 7, and the compatibility and reliability of our solution is often mission-critical for them," said Duff. "We feel the majority of IT professionals will consider the logo to be an important factor in their purchase decision."

Erasmus says the early indications are that Windows 7 has garnered strong industry support. Forrester Research says the beta of Windows 7 shows "significant promise", and most IT operations professionals are looking forward to its availability and eventual enterprise deployment.

Editorial contacts

Microsoft South Africa

Adrian Wainwright, PR & Communications Manager

+27 11 361 7629

adrian.wainwright@microsoft.com

SYSPRO South Africa

Judith Spencer +27 11 461 1000

Judith.Spencer@za.SYSPRO.com

Fleishman-Hillard Public Relations

Peter van der Merwe, Associate Director

+27 11 548 2018

Small Cap Focus: Second half boost for K3

LONDON (SHARECAST) - Enterprise software company K3 Business Technology had a tough first half but the second half looks set to be much better. Strong recurring revenues mean that the enterprise software provider should generate £4m in cash this year.

Revenues fell from £17.1m to £15.9m in the six months to June 2009 and this led to a slump in profit from £908,000 to £131,000. Stripping out amortisation the fall in profits was from £1.66m to £943,000. Both the retail and manufacturing software divisions made lower contributions. The Netherlands business, which is dependent on IKEA, had a poor first half.

There were bright spots. The UK retail software business improved its profits and margins helped by £2m of new contracts. On the manufacturing side, the managed services business is growing and the SYSPRO manufacturing software operations continue to win clients.

Although K3 predominantly sells Microsoft and SYSPRO software it also develops its own IP around these products. This will help generate additional revenues. K3 could even sell its own software to other SYSPRO and Microsoft resellers.

Net debt was £13.5m at the end of June 2009. The first half is always poor in terms of cash flow but the second half is helped by £6m of SYSPRO licences payable in October. Whereas other software licence revenue is spread across the year, SYSPRO licences are all payable in October. This means that the year end cash position is always strong. Net debt could be down to £9m by the end of 2009.

The lower borrowings and interest rates will mean that interest costs will be much lower in the second half. On top of that there are £650,000 of cost savings coming through since June. Consolidating offices will bring more cost savings next year.

The order book is also improving and these new orders should contribute in the second half.

House broker Daniel Stewart expects flat 2009 pre-amortisation profits of £6m - a positive achievement considering the poor first half.

At 85p a share, K3 is valued at £20.2m. That equates to prospective multiple of less than five. An unchanged final dividend of 0.5p a share gives a yield of 0.6%.

The shares are lowly rated for such a cash generative business. There is also scope to acquire legacy software businesses that could enhance earnings and provide potential customers for K3's software.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

SYSPRO ERP Software to Set Tempo at Taylor Guitars

SYSPRO, a leading, worldwide provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, announced that El Cajon, Calif.-based Taylor Guitars is ready to go live with its SYSPRO ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software implementation. The company selected SYSPRO software to streamline company processes and provide in-depth visibility into company operations. According to Taylor Director of Information Systems, Matt Major, "Taylor had been utilizing multiple systems that were not fully integrated. We realized that the only way to have the functionality we require as we continue to innovate and evolve as a business was to implement an enterprise wide solution as a foundation for our future."

Taylor's choice of SYSPRO software is indicative of the software's ability to meet the exacting needs of a variety of specialized manufacturers in a variety of vertical industry segments. These companies buy into SYSPRO's positioning of offering affordable enterprise software solutions that are both pragmatic and visionary.

SYSPRO gives SMB (small, mid-size business) manufacturers and distributors, such as Taylor, the ability to mold a software solution from more than 40 integrated modules while SMB manufacturers and distributors also gain the ability to utilize SYSPRO e.net solutions to build Service Oriented Architectures (SOAs) that integrate business processes to accelerate business and enhance customer service.

While Taylor has offered a guitar Build to Order (BTO) program for many years, the company sought a more accessible approach to building a Taylor guitar that's "unlike any other." Taylor offers 40 categories containing virtually unlimited combinations to customize an acoustic and electric guitar. Taylor will be utilizing the SYSPRO Product Configurator to gain added visibility into real-time inventory integration.

Major notes, "During our software selection process we developed a complex, yet meaningful, decision matrix and scoring system to help us make an informed and objective decision. We looked at solutions from other vendors as Epicor and Infor. SYSPRO's technology, award winning STARS [Structured Technique to Achieve a Rapid Solution] Implementation Methodology and approach to software design were exactly what we were looking for. Unlike many companies implementing ERP solutions, we have a knowledgeable software development staff that understands the challenges faced when working with legacy technologies. We will continue to develop custom software going forward and utilize SYSPRO as a foundation and framework."

He adds: "We found the people at SYSPRO to understand our culture more than other vendors. It was refreshing to see how they were able to relate to us - respecting our legacy and fully prepared to help guide us in decisions that would affect our future."

Joey Benadretti, president, SYSPRO USA, notes: "Taylor's choice of SYSPRO exemplifies the strengths of SYSPRO turnkey solutions. SYSPRO stands out from the rest of the ERP solutions with its ability to deliver out-of-the-box functionality to meet current business needs while providing a pathway for future growth."

SYSPRO's more thoughtful approach to adopting new technology, such as web services and SOA platforms, also reflects the desires of its buyers who are driven by business needs and not by the latest headlines, executives that are driven by a desire for smart, but aggressive market growth. This exemplifies SYSPRO's ongoing strategy of helping to simplify the success of its customers.

About Taylor Guitars

Founded in 1974, Taylor Guitars has evolved into one of the world's leading manufacturers of premium acoustic and electric guitars. Renowned for blending an innovative use of modern technology with a master craftsman's attention to detail, Taylor guitars are widely considered the best sounding and easiest to play in the world. Many of today's leading musicians make Taylor their guitar of choice, including Dave Matthews, Prince, Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, Serj Tankian, Zach Meyers and more. For additional information, please visit www.taylorguitars.com .

About SYSPRO

Since its inception in 1978, SYSPRO has been delivering state-of-the-art business solutions to some of the world's leading companies. As a global leader in the production of world-class ERP software, the company now caters to the specialized needs of 14,000 licensed companies in more than 60 countries worldwide. SYSPRO is marketed globally through regional territory distribution centers and a global reseller network in the US, Canada, Africa, Asia Pacific, Australia and the UK. SYSPRO is a fully integrated business software solution that provides complete control over the planning and management of all facets of business including accounting, manufacturing and distribution operations in a variety of industries.

For additional information on SYSPRO, call Stanley Goodrich at 714/437-1000 or go towww.sysprousa.com

All company names and products mentioned in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.


Sunday, September 6, 2009

SYSPRO Wins ERP Contract with Design Team Sign Company

SYSPRO, a leading, worldwide provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), has today announced that it has won a new contract with Design Team Sign Company, a Savannah, Tenn.-based manufacturer of complete custom signage solutions. SYSPRO prevailed in a direct compete against both Epicor and the Microsoft Dynamics product line, via SYSPRO re-seller Edgeware Computers of Marietta, Ga.

Design Team Sign commented that a site visit to a SYSPRO customer made the difference and showed how comprehensive and well-integrated the SYSPRO solution is.

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"We viewed numerous demos and made comparison lists of pros and cons of each vendor, and it was clear that SYSPRO offers a great combination of integration, product capabilities and value," said Teresa Creasy, Design Team Office Manager. "SYSPRO can provide us with the efficiencies to grow our business and will scale with that growth."

Design Team Sign deals with large and exacting amounts of data pertaining to signage location rules, requirements and guidelines. "SYSPRO will enable us to computerize all this information, analyze it and maintain specific records." Design team will also leverage SYSPRO CRM to track the real-time data pertinent to each and every job.

SYSPRO re-seller Derek Jenkins, CEO of Edgeware Computers, said the combined site visit, as well as the extensive SYSPRO documentation materials and STARS implementation methodology, made the difference. "SYSPRO's customer-centric approach for smaller manufacturers and distributors is unmatched by competitors of any size," Jenkins said.

SYSPRO USA President Joey Benadretti, concurs. "Those companies who do their due diligence appropriately find SYSPRO to be vastly superior to the other ERP brands in our space."

SYSPRO's more thoughtful approach to adopting new technology, such as web services and SOA platforms, also reflects the desires of its buyers who are driven by business needs and not by the latest headlines, executives that are driven by a desire for smart, but aggressive market growth. This exemplifies SYSPRO's ongoing strategy of helping to simplify the success of its customers.

About Design Team Sign Company

On the forefront of technical innovation in the sign industry, Design Team Sign Company is a manufacturer of custom graphic sign media. The company is driven by a desire to maintain the highest level of quality awnings, signs, railings, and graphic media products with regards to upholding a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, service, and timely delivery. Design Team Sign Company, LLC, aggressively markets its products through distribution, direct mail, sales force, and the Internet. More information E-mail: sales@designteam.net or Call 1-800-649-7446 or see www.designteam.net

About Edgeware Computers, Inc.

Edgeware, located in Marietta, Ga., advises on SYSPRO ERP software for distribution and manufacturing companies worldwide. Edgeware utilizes the latest technological standards for delivering e-support and e-implementations. Edgeware's corporate office is located in a campus style office park in order to engage its customers in the learning process of implementing SYSPRO. The top companies in the world have used Edgeware to implement their SYSPRO ERP manufacturing and distribution sites. Edgeware boasts an extensive reference list and a successful client base ranging from small to large customers. For more information, call: 770-952-4848 or go to: www.edgeware.net

About SYSPRO

Since its inception in 1978, SYSPRO has been delivering state-of-the-art business solutions to some of the world's leading companies. As a global leader in the production of world-class ERP software, the company now caters to the specialized needs of 14,000 licensed companies in more than 60 countries worldwide. SYSPRO is marketed globally through regional territory distribution centers and a global reseller network in the US, Canada, Africa, Asia Pacific, Australia and the UK. SYSPRO is a fully integrated business software solution that provides complete control over the planning and management of all facets of business including accounting, manufacturing and distribution operations in a variety of industries.

For additional information on SYSPRO, call Stanley Goodrich at 714/437-1000 or go towww.sysprousa.com

All company names and products mentioned in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.