Lawson QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management Helps Companies Speed Improvements in Asset Reliability and Availability
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 2007--Lawson Software (Nasdaq:LWSN) today announced the general availability of Lawson QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management, a pre-configured enterprise software package created to address the business needs of a wide range of asset-reliant companies. It is designed to help cut traditional implementation times by up to 50 percent. This helps reduce the cost of implementation, diminish the risk of disruptions to customer operations and improve return on investment with a faster time to benefit.
QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management speeds implementation time by pre-configuring 70 to 90 percent of the key processes required by asset-reliant companies. Lawson customers can access comprehensive core asset management functionality combined with Lawson's industry knowledge and implementation skills.
Hoganas, based in Sweden, manufactures iron and metal powders for products in various industries, including automotive, home appliances, lawn and garden tools, and hand tools. It recently implemented Lawson QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management to improve work order management and preventive maintenance capabilities in its high alloy powder plant in Ath, Belgium. Hoganas faced a critical need to implement a system to improve the asset management and maintenance at its production unit. Speed and cost were major considerations for the company in determining the right solution. QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management will help Hoganas more quickly pursue an optimal maintenance strategy and manage maintenance work requests in a way that directly helps maximize equipment uptime and delivery performance.
"We needed to improve the efficiency of our preventive maintenance and repair activities, and with QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management, we expect we'll decrease our unnecessary preventive maintenance by 50 percent," said Per Westman, maintenance coordinator for Hoganas. "In addition, the Lawson solution has made it simple to set up and track our maintenance jobs, which means we can keep our downtime levels in check."
Lawson QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management helps asset-reliant companies meet a number of challenges, including:
Capturing and managing complex asset information
Tracking assets for compliance with legal and financial legislation
Managing compliance with a wide variety of environmental and safety regulations
Maximizing the use of maintenance technicians within resource- and skills-constrained environments
Planning and managing work order spare parts requirements
Coordinating the competing demands between maintenance and operations
Minimizing procurement costs in an environment where purchase demands can be generated on short notice
Carrying out detailed reliability, performance and cost analysis
Lawson QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management enables organizations to take a more strategic approach to asset management and maintenance without the risk, time or cost often involved. A recent study sponsored by Lawson Software highlighted the benefits of a strategic, integrated solution approach and how it can help companies address challenges they may have with their current asset management software. According to the global study conducted by Industry Direct Ltd., 38 percent of respondents are not satisfied with their returns on their current asset management software. Sixty percent of respondents who do not feel their current solution delivers measurable return on investment are likely to agree that lack of integration throughout the organization is a major inhibitor to successful asset management. A copy of the report "Strategic Asset Management Across the Organization Delivers a Compelling Return" is available for download at www.lawson.com/IOB.
"The need for organizations to take a more strategic approach to asset management is evident. This change requires technology solutions that can be integrated across the organization and implemented quickly, but companies also need a solution that's flexible and can scale with their needs," said John Gledhill, global director of product development for Lawson. "QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management delivers both the stability of standard software and the flexibility to incorporate additional functionality. And the pre-configured processes help deliver a faster return on investment."
Lawson QuickStep Enterprise Asset Management can be extended to include integrated support for techniques such as Reliability Centered Maintenance, which helps companies evaluate the cost of asset failure versus the cost of prevention to develop the most economically beneficial maintenance strategy for individual critical assets.
This new solution is the latest release in an ongoing roll out of QuickStep solutions designed around the specific markets that Lawson serves. Since November 2006, Lawson has introduced industry-specific QuickStep solutions for food and beverage producers, apparel manufacturers, distribution companies and hospitals.
About the Study
IDL, based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, with offices around the world, received 189 valid responses for the survey from October 2006 to January 2007. Responses came from regions such as Europe, Australia/New Zealand and the United States. Target decision makers included directors of maintenance and facilities, head site engineers and plant managers/directors.
About Lawson Software
Lawson Software provides software and service solutions to 4,000 customers in manufacturing, distribution, maintenance and service sector industries across 40 countries. Lawson's solutions include Enterprise Performance Management, Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management, Manufacturing Resource Planning, Enterprise Asset Management and industry-tailored applications. Lawson solutions assist customers in simplifying their businesses or organizations by helping them streamline processes, reduce costs and enhance business or operational performance. Lawson is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., and has offices around the world. Visit Lawson online at www.lawson.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements contain statements of intent, belief or current expectations of Lawson Software and its management. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The company is not obligated to update forward-looking statements based on circumstances or events that occur in the future. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: uncertainties in Lawson's ability to realize synergies and revenue opportunities anticipated from the Intentia International acquisition; uncertainties in the software industry; uncertainties as to when and whether the conditions for the recognition of deferred revenue will be satisfied; global military conflicts; terrorist attacks; pandemics, and any future events in response to these developments; changes in conditions in the company's targeted industries; increased competition and other risk factors listed in the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lawson assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release.