Switzerland-based BIS, a conglomeration of about 50 separate internal BASF IT departments, was originally spun out from its parent in April 2001. It focuses on SAP consulting and software development for the process manufacturing industry, and also provides human resources business process outsourcing, and infrastructure services such as desktop and network management.
The company, which employs 2,300 staff, expects to generate $517.4 million (E440 million) revenue in 2003, over 95% of which is currently derived from BASF Group. However, external growth, particularly in the UK and German markets, is the company’s prime goal.
The process manufacturing industry is BIS’s main target for new business, and the company is playing up research claiming that a disconnect between plant equipment and business systems is costing manufacturers $59.85 million (GBP36 million) annually due to poor maintenance and inadequate planning.
The company has partnered with Norwegian engineering, technical services and maintenance giant, Aker Kvaerner, with which it has worked to integrate SAP ERP software with manufacturing technology management systems. Aker Kvaerner will also work as a sales partner in the UK market where it has a larger presence than BIS.
This article was based on material originally published by ComputerWire.
