IFS clarifies focus as a Cloud platform business

When IBM decided that it was no longer a PC company, the change was largely slowed down by the technology industry and most consumers. Under the stewardship of a maverick CEO (Lou Gerstner), the company redesigned itself as an IT services and e-business company in a move that would be a forerunner to a real cloud, which saw the company report on itself as a platform company, Artificial Intelligence (AI) company and certainly not a PC manufacturing company.

Similar to Madonna ‘s ongoing reforms, IBM has been said to have been very fortunate in terms of realignment, even though some still consider the company to be an old traditional tech machine. .

But not all physical rethinking in technological circles goes so smoothly. It is not uncommon for a technical business to be known for one particular topic or specialty that continues to define its view of the market, even after rebranding exercises and supporting initiatives. advertising. Not to mention any names, try to start as a hyperconvegence brand, low code expert or network gear company; not everyone buys the claim ‘we are now a platform business’ overnight.

IFS is the conventional leopard on the block looking to establish its new spots. The U.S. and European headquarters company gets its name from their original moniker Industrial & Financial Systems, but it has never been named as the three-letter-acronym (TLA) short version of itself.

While we’ve recently gained more experience with IFS as an Enterprise Resource Design (ERP) vendor – after all, CEO Darren Roos is keen to tell us that IFS will win a healthy cut of SAP customers every time we listen to its flagship IFS World addresses – the company specializes in Field Service Management (FSM), Human Capital Management (HCM), Relationship Management Customer (CRM), Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Service Management (SM) software.

Of this smörgåsbord selection package (IFS was established in Linköping in Sweden, smörgåsbord jokes are allowed), the company has done much of its work in Field Service Management (FSM) over the past 18 months. gone, a period that coincides with his new acquisition by global investment group EQT. FSM’s focus is evolving not only because of its original technological heritage and software stack, but also because of its recent acquisition.

Taken together with its other software capabilities, IFS has made it look like a logical move and said its entire platform is now set up as IFS Cloud… and its entire stack now accessible through a single API-based connection.

API connection offers smörgåsbord selection

To be clear then, IFS has launched their IFS Cloud trademark, but this is not a datacenter service that offers cloud examples (although it is clear that some hosting specialties have IFS which delivers exactly where customers need them), this is IFS package into its extended format, now accessible as one complete product on the market.

Is that completely different and isn’t this just all the stuff he would do but showcased with a new shop front and a shiny new company logo to match? The company maintains that there is more to chew here ie IFS has spent much of its lock time working out new ways to be more end-to-end ( meaning: with less need for any third-party technologies) and directing its customers, people and assets into a tighter (and hopefully more interesting) harmony.

In terms of operation, IFS states that IFS Cloud can offer one common user experience, one data model and one consistent support offering. That means for a company that uses IFS software on Monday mornings in North Carolina, South London or East Asia, when they need additional software capability (such as modules that more to handle a new type of data service for a new line of business or a new approach), that customer can raise their hand (after payment terms are agreed, obviously) and just request that it be turned on.

Okay, software usage and full integration will not happen at such a version, but the point is made ie everything comes from one source, which in this case is IFS. By this stage, IFS Cloud marks the start of feature calls twice a year, giving customers the option to switch to the latest version as their business is ready. The company notes that customers can choose how and where to use IFS Cloud, which was engineered for the cloud but can be installed in the building with a residential option.

Head Roos: clouds are a must, get used to it

“Digital transformation is not a simple process. Most businesses are complex and have complex value chains, which is why many organizations do not succeed and even fewer vendors provide the tools to enable it. really, ”said Darren Roos, IFS Chief Executive. “Customers have told me that their main aims are to drive efficiency, control costs and develop better products and services. We know to achieve this, a cloud is a prerequisite. Digital devices need to be easy to use and integrated into everyday work. ”

The IFS Cloud architecture also includes enhanced application services for intelligent and automated business that can be deployed natively across IFS products and across industries. The company’s focus markets are aerospace & defense, construction & infrastructure, energy & utilities, manufacturing and service industries.

Roos and team will be calling the new IFS brand a way to ensure customers can deliver what is called the ‘moment of service’. Shortly stopping from trading this level of bogey marketing, the company managed to regain IFS.com domain name in 2019, so we can expect more product painting with purple paint from this group going forward.

If McDonalds can start selling salads, Old Spice can relaunch itself as an ambitious men’s colon and Starbucks can omit the word coffee from its branding, then, it can be said, the enterprise software business can use API and cloud-centricity technologies to unlock new singles. common channel to extended technology stack.

The new IFS smörgåsbord is served, Surströmming herring anyone?