English Manufacturer Extends ERP for Chinese Expansion

Published: July 22, 2008

by Alex Woodie

For the folks at Speedy Products, the U.K.-based manufacturer of advanced "window furnishings technology" (i.e. decorative poles, curtain tracks, tiebacks, and holdbacks), extending their i-based IBS ERP software implementation to their newly acquired Chinese factory and distribution center was as easy as opening a curtain.

Last week, Sweden-based IBS announced that Speedy Products will expand its U.K. implementation of the IBS ERP system, called Enterprise, to support its newly acquired Paloma Decorative Products division in China. Paloma operates a factory and a warehouse in Suzhou and Shanghai, and both locations will be hooked in, via VPN, to the new i-based Power Systems server running at Speedy's headquarters in Manchester, England.

For Speedy, which has run IBS Enterprise on IBM System i gear since 2005, the capability to support an entirely new division with an existing ERP system made a lot of sense, says Howard Clyne, technical manager for Speedy Products. "When IBS proposed an IT infrastructure that would allow us to host a system being used in China on equipment based here in the U.K., it represented a compelling and effective solution to our requirements," he says.

A software update will be needed to implement the simplified Chinese version of IBS Enterprise. Paloma will utilize three enterprise modules, including distribution, financials, and output management. IBS says the deal is worth about €286,000 (or $455,000 at current exchange rates).

Rajiv Parrab, president of IBS Asia Pacific, says the Speedy deal demonstrates IBS' commitment to its customers. "The fact that we can offer a fully integrated system across two continents clearly demonstrates the international capabilities of IBS ERP software, such as the multi-language and multi-currency functionality, and confirms the commitment we show to maintaining long-term relationships with customers."

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