IBS Australia has taken the industry vertical approach, developing best-of-breed software and services tailored to the unique business requirements of its customers’ industries.
“Each sector is very different,” says CEO Rajiv Parrab.
“IBS works not only with supply chain associations such as GS1 and the Supply Chain Council, but also with industry bodies that are in line with our target verticals.”
IBS provides an integrated solution — with software, services, consulting, hardware and financing – supported by industry knowledge and personnel who have gained experience working with organisations and customers across various verticals.
“While IBS is an international company, it has strong local knowledge in specialised business solutions,” Parrab says.
“For example, our automotive and publishing software was developed in collaboration with automotive distributors and publishers in Australia.
Because IBS Publishing and IBS Automotive software were both developed in collaboration with the publishing, book distribution and automotive industries respectively,
IBS has demonstrated a competitive advantage with these software products.
“With its tailor made features, IBS Publishing is the most widely-used publishing software in the world, while IBS Automotive has about 70 per cent of the Australian Automotive market,” Parrab says.
Success stories include Gill & Macmillan, whose publishing business increased nearly 80 per cent while its third-party distribution business increased by 70 per cent since installing IBS Publishing software.
“Most significantly, the staff employed to cope with this exceptional growth increased by only 27 per cent,” Parrab says.
“Similarly for Norwood, their IT department shrunk from 5 to 1 staff member and staff savings have also been achieved in other functional areas since implementing IBS Automotive software.”
The IBS rapid implementation methodology has also ensured that customers’ needs are met with speed and service.
“We ensure our customers receive a smooth transition, with minimal disruption to business operations,” Rajiv Parrab says.
“NU Fruit, a wholesaler of fresh produce in Victoria, had their IBS Enterprise system implemented within 3 months, even during the peak season of the business, while Kia Motors Australia had IBS Automotive software rolled out within 2 months.”
Parrab believes customers are looking for flexibility and functionality, both key strengths of IBS Australia.
“Customers are searching for software partners who understand their business requirements and can help them implement functionality and maintain competitive advantage,” he says.
“They certainly are also looking for a supply chain solution that can provide a reliable and stable platform, that is scalable, enabling them to cope with the challenges of their growing business.”
According to Parrab, companies must change how they operate in order to grow and flourish, so flexibility must be built into the very core of IT systems.
“Mergers, acquisitions, new product lines, new target countries and territories are all part of the on-going development of an organization and it is vital that existing systems can be adapted to cope with these scenarios,” he says.
Looking ahead, Parrab says IBS Australia will take well-differentiated Enterprise solutions and services to the large and mid-market in specific verticals, such as automotive, publishing & book distribution, food & beverages, pharmaceutical, electro, consumer durables and paper & packaging and office supplies.
“As a ‘one-stop shop’ for companies who are optimising their supply chain, IBS offers fully integrated software solutions, hosting, services, consulting, implementation, and financing,” Parrab says.
“IBS is able to provide consultation and implementation expertise in developed economies, where companies are looking for replacement strategies and aligning their business processes to the latest supply chain and industry best practices.”
“IBS is also helping companies in developing countries such as China, India and other parts of Asia to establish operations.”
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