Mapics Inc, the Atlanta, Georgia-based discrete manufacturing ERP software vendor for the AS/400 market, is offering a Windows NT version of its software from next month. The Nasdaq-listed firm, formed in August 1997 when troubled Marcam split into two, will showcase the new ERP range at the Hanover Cebit Conference in March. The move follows a gradual fight-back from disastrous financial results, and MapicsÆ need to break into the fast expanding NT market. The growth of the NT market seems inexorable; expanding annually at over 27%, according to industry analyst, IDC. Unix and IBMÆs own operating system are both advancing, but they are glacial by comparison, increasing at less than 10% a year apiece. But it is a risky move and places considerable financial demands on Mapics. Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) vice president and general manager Mike Sutton hopes that MapicsÆ new NT clients will represent between a quarter and a half of all company business by 2003. In terms of geographical business, he says, the 65% North American sector will be reduced to 50%, balancing the sum of EMEA, Latin America (currently 10%), and the Asia-Pacific region. Mapics is targeting the countries on the fringes of the established Western European markets with 25% of its sector investment. The new countries include Poland, Turkey, the Czech Republic and Spain. Mapics also plans to launch its new Advanced Planning System (APS) next month, a tool for supply chain management.
