VAI,
a leading provider of ERP software to the midmarket, announced S2K
Smart Center, a configurable web-based user experience that supports
single sign-on, common navigation, uniform look and feel across the
entire family of VAI's
S2K ERP software solutions as well as seamless navigation across
multiple applications deployed on-premise or in the cloud. This new user
interface combines deep industry processes and analytics with new social
collaboration tools to create a more satisfying, easier-to-use software
experience that helps midmarket customers make better-informed business
decisions much faster than ever before while increasing productivity and
collaboration throughout their organizations.
Today, midmarket organizations need to do more with less and become as
productive as possible while providing the highest levels of customer
service. To do so, they need easy and immediate access to the tools and
information they need to do their jobs within one browser session.
Traditional ERP systems can often hinder productivity, overwhelming
users with a wealth of applications and functions that may not be
relevant for them. With S2K Smart Center, each knowledge worker can
customize their own ERP applications and add new social collaboration
tools, thus leveraging a role-based user experience that allows them to
access business functions with proactive, real-time decision-making
using a common look and feel.
For example, users can configure their computer screens with the exact
applications and information that is important to their specific job
function, thereby doubling their productivity and allowing them to
respond instantly to business demands. Furthermore, S2K Smart Center
instantly notifies users of To Do's, Alerts and Company News from a
dynamic home screen. From this one comprehensive screen, users can
easily collaborate about tasks with one another while reacting to
pressing business issues. And, S2K Smart Center also includes Instant
Messaging, allowing users to chat with colleagues and business
associates in real time. Lastly, users can sync their Microsoft Exchange
or IBM Lotus Notes/Domino contacts, calendar events and email with VAI's
S2K CRM software using RIVA's middleware service.
"Midmarket customers seek a vastly improved user experience, easier
access to social collaboration tools and cloud technology without paying
for higher-priced solutions designed for larger enterprises," said R
"Ray" Wang, principal analyst, Founder and Chairman of Constellation
Research, Inc.
Many midmarket customers are excited to try and test S2K Smart Center,
knowing that it will greatly improve productivity across their
organizations.
"We think S2K Smart Center will be a valuable addition to our ERP
infrastructure, giving us new social tools and access to a powerful
cloud environment that will enable us to make better business decisions
faster than ever before," said Frank Valley, CFO/COO of Berk
Enterprises, a leading paper products manufacturer based in Warren,
Ohio.
Organizations that are adopting cloud offerings for critical business
operations will gravitate to S2K Smart Center, which deploys a true
cloud-based solution. The ability to host data in the cloud and access
it from anywhere and at any time has become vitally important -
especially as more organizations rely on smart phones and tablets. As
such, VAI will allow customers multiple options to access their S2K
Enterprise infrastructure through S2K Smart Center including:
-
On Premise
-
Users can purchase their own in-house IBM Power System to run S2K
Enterprise
-
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
-
Users can purchase their ERP applications and host them via the
cloud on their own partition in VAI's Data Center for a monthly
hosting fee
-
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
-
Through a monthly subscription, users can access S2K Enterprise
software via the cloud on their own partition on VAI's Data Center
In addition, S2K Smart Center was designed to help mobile workers double
their productivity. S2K Smart Center was built on standards-based
technologies such as HTML5 and AJAX, which allows web apps to run on any
platform with a modern, standards-compliant browser. And, S2K Smart
Center's portal screens have a responsive design that will automatically
resize to the specific device, whether it's a desktop, laptop, tablet or
any mobile device.
"S2K Smart Center will give midmarket ERP organizations a major step
forward by dramatically improving productivity, collaboration and
efficiencies across their organizations," said VAI Vice President of
Sales and Marketing, Joe Scioscia. "VAI has seamlessly blended proven
ERP and business applications with modern social tools, making it as
easy for users to interact with co-workers and business associates
worldwide as it is to use the application itself. By socializing the
enterprise in the most affordable way possible, we are giving midmarket
ERP customers an unprecedented opportunity to produce immediate,
measurable improvements in productivity, return-on-investment and
performance while lifting employee morale and satisfaction. This is a
win/win all around."
S2K Smart Center is available immediately through the IBM Websphere
Portal and pricing begins at $2,500 for a 20-user pack. For more
information on pricing and availability, please visit http://vai.net/solutions/s2k-enterprise/s2k-smart-center.html.
About VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)
VAI is a leading independent mid-market ERP software developer renowned
for its flexible 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 Florida, Illinois and California. For more information, visit www.vai.net,
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VAI
Diane Dady, 800-824-7776
ddady@vai.net
or
fama
PR
Whitney Parker, 617-986-5011
vai@famapr.com