Acquires CRM Company, Integrates to ERP Line, Promotes CRM Expert Hub; Bypasses Microsoft Partnership for Better Tie to BLINC(TM) Apps
StrategySLIEDRECHT, The Netherlands--(Business Wire)--Agresso, (www.agresso.com/), the ERP market's definition ofagility, announced today the immediate availability of Agresso CRM, acustomer relationship management solution aimed specifically at themid-market services sector that Agresso has addressed for more than 20years. Agresso CRM is being rolled out globally via either a standard,on-site license or software-as-a-service (SaaS) agreement. The newest Agresso offering for sales and marketing staff is nowoffered stand-alone or it can be integrated into the Agresso BusinessWorld enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite that is in place atover 2,700 companies globally. It is 100% web based, and can run onmultiple databases, operating systems, and stationery or mobiledevices. Agresso CRM is part of a larger corporate acquisition strategythat is intrinsic to the company's plans to grow to a $700 millioncompany by 2010. The company has been growing at 40% or more in 2007on the strength of its flagship ERP product line, Agresso BusinessWorld, which was released with advanced features in late 2005. Shortlyafter the company began aiming its products exclusively at afast-growing market segment that Agresso calls BLINC (TM) --Businesses Living IN Change -- that require the unique, dynamic changefeatures in Agresso's VITA (TM) architecture. Agresso CRM is the firstin a series of "BLINC Solution Plug-Ins" and will provide integrationto the ERP suite that is similar to that achieved by services-orientedarchitecture platforms. Agresso Selects Acquired Technology + CRM Expert Hub Strategy Agresso's parent, Unit4Agresso in the Netherlands, evaluated awide scope of global CRM partnership strategies, including an alliancewith Microsoft. Agresso had also acquired a robust European-basedcompany with a strong CRM product, CCS of Spain, nearly a year agothat brought a base of 1,700 customers. Nearly 10 percent of thosecustomers are in a SaaS model. "We carefully reviewed the business requirements of our targetmarket against all of our options to acquire the best possible CRMsolution," said Jose Sanchez, managing director of Agresso Spain and amember of the Unit4Agresso Board. "It was our original intention topartner with Microsoft who we thought might come closest to meetingthe CRM needs of mid-market, services organizations. However, neitherthe Microsoft CRM product line, nor any others we reviewed, were asrobust as our acquired CCS technology. Plus, through an additionalacquisition, we have assembled a large, sophisticated implementationteam." Beyond its rich functionality and favorable market positionAgresso CRM offers five distinct advantages that lead againstcompetitive software offerings:
-- An ultra-thin web interface, including a web-based executive -- An ultra-thin web interface, including a web-based executive
dashboard;
-- Support for multiple operating systems, including Windows, -- Support for multiple operating systems, including Windows,
Linux, Unix and Mac (Microsoft CRM supports only Windows);
-- Support for multiple databases, including Oracle, DB2, My SQL -- Support for multiple databases, including Oracle, DB2, My SQL
and SQL Server. (Microsoft CRM supports only SQL Server);
-- A right-priced and better feature/function match-up to -- A right-priced and better feature/function match-up to mid-market service company requirements - versus those of
market leaders more oriented to tier one or manufacturing
companies; and
-- Agresso's proven low cost of ownership, both pre- and post-
implementation, which continues to earn it superior
third-party commendations by both technology analysts and
customers alike for its ongoing change capabilities. Agresso Establishes CRM Service Hub Agresso has established a CRM Service Hub of more than 100full-time professional services experts. This team collectively hasdecades of years of CRM experience selling, implementing andsupporting Siebel and Microsoft products, as well as the originalproduct underpinning Agresso CRM. The Agresso CRM Service Hub is basedin Spain and will lead the roll-out of the new offering to Agressosubsidiaries and partners throughout the world. "Our CRM Services Hub knows the competitive CRM technologylandscape, the mid-market's requirements and the fastest and best waysto implement our solution," said Ton Dobbe, VP of product marketing,Unit4Agresso. "Best of all, we are integrating Agresso CRM as a BLINCERP Solution Plug-In, meaning companies now can get the combination ofworld class CRM with ERP post-implementation agility." Market Research Firm Cites Agresso CRM Product's Leadership Agresso's new CRM solution is part of the larger acquired CCS ERPproduct line that has been evaluated independently against othervendors in the mid-market by European technology evaluation firm,Penteo ICT Analyst. Penteo provides independent expert analysis ofmarket trends and market research, and issues vendor positioningdiagrams about technology solutions and vendors. Penteo isheadquartered in Spain, where it is the market leader, and has officesin London and Paris. "Our Report 'SMB Business Solutions Spanish Market 2007' positionsCCS Agresso and its technology (which now includes Agresso CRM) as a'Star' in the Universe Map," said Albert Delgado, General Manager ofPenteo. "Stars are players providing services, solutions or technologywith remarkable viability, features and functionality performance.Penteo believes that 'Stars' are sound players that lead theirmarkets. Agresso is a leader in the Universe Map, as a result of abroad functional coverage for medium-sized businesses and strongsupport." About Agresso Agresso (www.agresso.com/usa) is a $225 million enterpriseresource planning (ERP) subsidiary of Netherlands-based Unit 4 Agresso
(Dutch Stock Exchange EURONEXT-U4AGR) and one of the topfive providers of ERP solutions for professional services and publicsector organizations. Agresso offers a uniquely integrateddata/process/delivery architecture designed specifically forBusinesses Living IN Change (BLINC) (TM). Agresso is known as "The ERPMarket's Definition of Agility" as it allows an unlimited amount ofongoing, post-implementation changes without the typical external ITcosts and intervention that nets billions of dollars in revenue to themarket leaders. Over 2,700 companies and organizations in 100countries deploy Agresso Business World for both operational supportand strategic management. The company's role-based, Web Services andServices-Oriented Architecture (SOA) enabled solutions include:Financial Management, Human Resources and Payroll, ProcurementManagement, Project Costing and Billing, Reporting and Analytics andBusiness Process Automation.AgressoJudith Rothrock, CMOJudith.Rothrock@agresso.com 858-847-9840 Copyright Business Wire 2007
