Thoratec medical manufacturer signs up for $1 million worth of IFS Applications

Thoratec Corp, the US medical devices manufacturer, has signed a contract with fast-growing Swedish components-based enterprise software (eERP) developer IFS for $1 million worth of software and services. The firm is to use the system to replace multiple legacy systems across its engineering design, manufacture and service operations at four locations, including its Pleasanton, California HQ. Thoratec says the IFS system will handle everything from supply chain management, to customer relationship management (CRM), financials, manufacturing, maintenance, HR and engineering. And the company is using IFS Personal Portal software to provide web browser-based personalised and role-based self-service interfaces to all operators. “Thoratec’s growth through mergers has resulted in several disparate business systems with little or no integration of information,” said Cheryl Hess, Thoratec’s vice president and chief financial officer. “Our goal with IFS is to replace these legacy systems with a single, completely integrated solution.” She says that IFS component-based solution is well placed to support all of the firm’s functions – from repetitive manufacturing processes to service management – without the need for third-party add-on applications and the best-of-breed approach. “Fast growing companies want a future-proof business system with deep application functionality and extreme flexibility to cope with change,” said Terje Vangbo, president and chief executive officer for IFS North America. “IFS meets the needs of these businesses with a suite of components that makes it easy to add the latest technology, including Internet- and portal-based applications.”