UCS Solutions achieves further certification as a SAP partner
Apr 09 2009
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UCS Solutions achieves further certification as a SAP partner

UCS Solutions – the business and IT services operation of the JSE-listed UCS group – has further entrenched its dominant position in the retail and wholesale markets with SAP global certification of its retail solution, ReadytoRetail™.

UCS boasts over 10 years’ experience as an SAP partner and is certified in both South Africa and the USA in five areas, the foremost being the provision of business solutions to the retail sector using SAP Business All-in-One systems.

UCS’ end-to-end retail solution, ReadytoRetail™, is currently deployed by some of South Africa’s top retailers.

The product delivers a complete and integrated retail solution across all the functional areas of a typical retailer and wholesaler and includes: from point of sale; stores operations; warehousing; merchandise management; financials and business intelligence.

The ReadytoRetail™ Solution can be implemented very quickly in contrast to a traditional SAP implementation. This allows a business to streamline its processes, increase efficiencies and achieve a rapid return on investment.

Moreover, UCS has built a complete support model and infrastructure platform removing the need for customers to invest in hardware and technical support skills.

“Our technology and solutions are used by both retailers and wholesalers,” says Chris Shortt, senior executive for applications services. “We are excited by this latest development with our retail solution being globally certified by SAP. This move supports our ongoing expansion into the US and Middle Eastern markets.

“SAP Business All-in-One is a relatively new offering aimed at the mid-market. SAP has a dedicated SME unit which addresses that market’s needs with products and support. The UCS ReadytoRetail™ solution leverages the SAP product abilities and provides a complete solution for companies ranging from smaller retailers to multinational retail/wholesale operations.”

With extensive experience in retail and other business sectors, UCS is well placed to combine its own expertise with SAP recommended best practices.

Shortt says UCS boasts a large number of live sites with a client list that reads like a “Who’s Who” of the retail sector.

“UCS Solutions is an advanced SAP partner with a robust template and methodology. Years of experience means that we can build the right business processes into our solution,” says Shortt. “We find this answers customers’ needs in both local and international markets.

“When we combine this practical experience with the very detailed SAP best practices guidelines for deployment of their technology, we have a market-leading product that can be adapted for a wide range of customer requirements. ReadytoRetail™ then benefits from complete support by both UCS and SAP.

“UCS has five alliances with SAP but our recent certification as a Silver Channel Partner, coupled with our unique standing as a global partner, serves as testament to our capabilities and proven solutions deployed in the retail and wholesale arena.

“In fact, we have been partners with SAP since before they introduced the Business All-in-One solution and we have walked the entire road with them as the channel focus and solution set has matured.”

Shortt concludes that with an established base of major customers in the Southern African region, UCS is successfully carving a niche in international markets.

“The partnership with SAP, augmented by UCS’ experience provides powerful competitive edge that we fully intend to translate into opportunity as we extend our footprint in the USA and the United Arab Emirates,” Shortt concludes.