IFS goes for process sector with Capula

The process industries are set to be Swedish enterprise software vendor IFS’ next target. The firm is partnering with consultancy and IT implementation firm Capula to deliver what it terms ‘ERP II’ extended enterprise systems. Capula, formerly Instem, has more than 30 years experience of applying operational information management and business systems particularly in the utilities (power generation, water, gas, etc) and general process industries, notably pharmaceuticals, chemicals, metals and food and beverage. Its expertise includes setting up and installing ERP systems, supply chain systems, plant asset management systems and so forth, down to operational and real time systems. IFS joins integration specialist Seebeyond in Capula’s partner group. Capula solutions will now extend to e-enabled component ERP with IFS Applications. Announcing the arrangement, IFS managing director Alastair Sorbie, said: “IFS wish to broaden our base in the process sector... Working with Capula will give IFS further penetration into this market and compliment our focus on process industries.” Roger Turner, Capula’s managing director, also waxed lyrical. Whether we should regard this as an accolade for IFS or simply sound marketing strategy on Capula’s part, given the complexity and cost of supporting too many systems too vigorously, is open to conjecture. Either way, it’s clear there are other ERP software vendors with strength in the process sector that could have earned the title partner – and haven’t.