ACS-Embrace boasts a 100 percent implementation success rate because of their local presence, expertise and understanding.
Using South African ERP products with local support can make all the difference to the success of a software implementation and its ongoing corporate use. Jeanette Teles, head of marketing at ACS- Embrace, says that her company’s local roots are a significant differentiator for their ERP solutions.
“There are many solutions available from overseas, but a lot of the resellers in South Africa appear to lack the necessary in-depth product knowledge and implementation expertise, especially on their newer versions,” she says. “The feedback we’ve had when replacing some of these systems is that the solution did not work the way it was expected to and that the support team were simply not as available as their clients would like them to have been. They were also unable to customise the system in line with the client’s needs, without incurring huge expense.”
On the other hand, she says that Embrace always receives a “first-class” rating for their implementation and support. “When speaking to our users, or conducting a case study, it’s the first thing that is mentioned.”
ACS-Embrace’s implementation and support model is simple:
Based on their wealth of experience, knowledge of the client’s industry and business, they draw up a comprehensive implementation schedule that takes into account all requirements. This helps to minimise disruption and ensure an in-budget and on-time go-live.
A support account manager is assigned to a client “for life”. He or she becomes part of the client team, attends regular meetings, provides thought leadership and on-going support. If the account manager is not available, there is always an expert on standby to assist.
The financial director of one of The Hudaco Group companies gave the following feedback: “The team is always ready to address any problems. When we call, they’re there. Our account manager is always there. It’s that availability, that personal relationship that sets Embrace apart. You don’t get it from other vendors, who come in, do the job and then they’re gone. With Embrace, we know that they understand our business, our requirements and that they’ll always be back to assist.”
The local basis of the software also means that Embrace is 100% compliant with all South African legislative and tax requirements. “We were one of the first to address the SARS IT14SD VAT requirements, streamlining the entire process and helping to ensure that VAT figures tally to the company’s annual financial statement,” explains Jeanette.
Also, Embrace provides integrated BEE functionality and comprehensive reporting tools that track and measure all qualifying procurement spend with BEE partners. Clients can maximise their benefit, calculate their preferential procurement score and report on compliant and non-compliant suppliers.
Because of the way that their ERP solutions are created and their extensive local presence, ACS-Embrace can grow and evolve the solution in line with their clients’ changing business needs. With most ERP packages the business has to fit the system and that’s one of Embrace’s greatest differentiators – Embrace can fit the business!
One of ACS-Embrace’ clients, a JSE listed company, consisting of local and international companies and divisions, with a distribution network of over 152 outlets, has been using Embrace for over 30 years.
Their CFO has given the feedback: “The number of different businesses you can put onto one single package is incredible. It’s just a case of adding new companies. We are able to consolidate all financial data and reporting across the group and because of the integrity of the data, we balance.”
Their solution delivers an enterprise-wide single source of the truth, with drill-down to the source transaction. “Our clients can monitor and measure business performance, conduct what-if modelling, make strategic business decisions, knowing that they can trust the system and the data. Whatever analytics they are doing, they know the information is correct.”
This level of integration means that there are no delays in reporting, and users don’t need to spend time on the manual manipulation of data, resolving errors and causing delays.
All of this, Jeanette says, contributes to a 100 percent implementation success rate in an industry where failing to go live is not uncommon.
“Embrace is locally developed and maintained. Our business-driven software design leverages the latest technologies to ensure your competitive edge today and well into the future. Local support and expertise are right here on your doorstep, supporting you as drive your business forward. More than technology, ACS-Embrace is a partner invested in your success.”
ACS-Embrace is a Silver Partner at the Finance Indaba, taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 16 and 17 October, where their experts will be available to discuss your business needs.
[cfocoza-cta slug=finance-indaba-2019]
