K3 upgrades corporate IBS ERP system

Manufacturing ERP software developer K3 Business Technology has released a major upgrade to its IBS corporate system, aimed at larger and make-to-contract manufacturerss. IBS Version 3 includes key programs now as objects, streamlined and simplified business processes, multi-company functions and considerable new Microsoft technology. In terms of configuration, the firm says users will now be able to tailor functionality to specific business information needs without modifying core software. It means faster implementation, upgrade and cost savings in five major areas: user defined fields, XML data output, configurable user interfaces, WayFinder business process mapping and additional product integration. In fact, there are 165 software developments, ranging from major engineering object-orientation of business processes to enable client, object or web-based access to the software function, to simple screen design changes. Some 40% of the development work has resulted from customers’ own modifications, which have now been standardised within IBS. Chairman of the IBS User Group Terry Parker says: “In the past 18 months there has been extensive representation from the user base. K3 has made tremendous efforts to really get IBS users involved in this new release, and we have helped develop many of the changes ourselves. “These include: menu configurators, which are of the user-friendly Explorer type; WayFinder, which is a new approach to user manuals; and multi-business facilities, which my own company, Raytheon Systems, has found extremely beneficial.”