10 days, not 10 months, to business analytics that drive ERP and cash value

Dean Hager, Lawson’s senior vice president of product management, makes the point that with manufacturers worried about bleeding cash, not only are they mostly unable to upgrade systems – they need their existing systems to deliver more value and faster, specifically in line with improving cash flow and slashing costs. “So we have a solution set to provide analytics for customers that doesn’t require them to upgrade, and that allows them to go from purchase to go live within just 10 days,” says Hager. “And I mean they can have a full data warehouse and visibility into their business to ask those tough questions, such as ‘where are my inefficiencies’, ‘where am I short on cash, or long on process’. This will drive value out of their current system in a way that deals very directly with the issues manufacturers are facing right now,” he adds. It’s similar to offers from other ERP vendors, with one very significant difference – 10 days, not 10 months. “Two years ago we had a vision that, with our vertical focus and applications specialities, we should be able to build industry-specific BI solutions for ultra-rapid installation and go-live that could deliver value immediately,” explains Hager. Lawson’s first development was aimed at the food and beverage sector, and the company has proved its capabilities by implementing systems in the UK for Pork Farms and Fletcher Bakeries. “There’s a flat fee for the warehouse, but no other hidden fees, and they were live in 10 days. We’re so confident, we do go out and, within two days, show customers a proof of concept using their data.”