New Mobile Cloud Technology and Analytics Revitalize Next-Generation ERP Implementations

Two New Reports from Michael Dortch of DortchOnIt.com and VAI Explain How to Maximize the Value of Existing ERP Implementations

Ronkonkoma, NY – May 1, 2012 – VAI, a leading ERP software provider, unveiled two new white papers -- authored by renowned IT consultant Michael Dortch -- that provide top-line guidance on how to maximize the value of existing ERP implementations with new innovations in mobile cloud technology, analytics and business intelligence. The papers, exclusively available from VAI at www.vai.net, outline specific steps that both business and IT professionals should take to add new functionality and value to ERP deployments while leveraging existing investments with minimal user disruption.

Dortch, long recognized as an ERP implementation expert for the past 25 years from his post at DortchOnIT.com, offers his advice to business leaders in the IT + “ERP3” = More Business Value paper and to IT staff in the “ERP 3” = From Enterprise Resource Planning to Enabling Rock Solid Processes. Both papers can be downloaded here at the VAI news page.

Among the key highlights of both papers is a look at how key industries will be transformed by adding new mobile cloud technology to their ERP implementations. Below is a quick snapshot of how five industries will benefit:

• Distribution: workers at any point in the value chain will access real-time inventory information, uncover slow-moving or out-of-stock items, and improve order fill rates, inventory turns and responses to customer demands
• Food Service: workers will hasten production and lower operational costs by replacing manual, error-prone paperwork with integrated solutions for tablet sand smartphones
• Manufacturing: mobile networked devices and on-demand software will enable seamless integration, tracking and optimization of tasks from inventory, shop floor and warehouse management to capacity and materials planning and product quality control
• Retail: automation of tasks and processes will improve inventory, purchasing, warehouse management and customer relationship management at point of sale, both in-store and online
• Service: improved integration of customer interaction and product-related information will ease and hasten superior service and repair, increasing customer satisfaction dramatically

"Mobile cloud technology will improve cost and operational efficiencies while expanding collaboration with customers, vendors and partners," said Dortch. "That, coupled with new innovations from IBM’s Websphere portal and Cognos Business Intelligence, can ignite existing ERP implementations with graphically rich personalized dashboards and easy-to-use yet highly functional e-commerce applications."

In both papers, Dortch offers specific guidance on how to get started with adding new functionality to ERP implementations such as:

• Embrace Customization as a way to reinvigorate existing ERP investments
• Conduct an Audit to examine your organization's readiness to add mobile cloud functionality
• Develop Specific Criteria for upgrading ERP systems based on detailed feedback from both IT and business stakeholders
• Create an ERP Playbook that outlines ERP goals, processes and supporting IT resources that will be embraced by both IT and business teams.

"Through our partnership with IBM, we've seen – first hand – the wealth of new applications and comprehensive enterprise infrastructures that will be available this year and throughout the next eighteen months," said VAI CEO Bob Vormittag. "We are even more excited to see how these new advances will benefit our customers. Therefore, it is a privilege to provide this fresh insight from Michael Dortch – in tandem with our new technology roadmap for our flagship S2K ERP Software Suite (http://bit.ly/HZd5zn) – to help customers truly leverage the power of analytics and the mobile cloud."

About VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.) VAI is a leading independent midmarket ERP software developer renowned for its customized solutions and ability to automate critical business functions for the distribution, manufacturing, specialty retail and service sectors. An IBM Premier Business Partner, VAI is the 2012 IBM Beacon Award Winner for Outstanding Solutions for Midsize Businesses. VAI continues to innovate with new solutions that leverage analytics, business intelligence, mobility and cloud technology to help customers make more informed business decisions in real-time and empower their mobile workforces. VAI is headquartered in Ronkonkoma, NY with branch offices in Miami, Orlando, Chicago and Oroville, CA. For more information, please contact Diane Dady at 800-824-7776, ext. 4729 or visit www.vai.net