K3 Launches SmartVision - A Unique Concept In Real-Time ERP Software

K3 Business Technology plc has announced the launch of SmartVision, a major breakthrough in the design and delivery of ERP software. SmartVision's standard features offer manufacturers unique, highly visible and instant access to real-time information, web-based exception reporting and state-of-the-art management decision-making aids. Numerous other integrated features include advanced planning & scheduling, automated workflow and product data management.

SmartVision is a powerful management tool providing highly visible, real-time information at the desktop. It has been designed to create business excellence by moving manufacturers from a reactive to a proactive business model. Using predictive analysis and the latest in mobile data access, performance metrics can be delivered to any device, at any time and in any format, to inform users before there is a problem, so they can do something about it.

Developed using the latest Microsoft.Net technology, SmartVision sets a new standard in fully integrated manufacturing, costing and accounting systems. The 32-bit, British designed system has over 30 modules providing a comprehensive ERP system on Windows and Windows NT platforms. Designed for a broad range of make-to-stock, make-to-order and repetitive manufacturers, SmartVision's inherent flexibility ensures company's can react fast to changing business needs.

An Alert Management feature proactively informs users of the latest status of all areas, based on user-defined criteria, thus allowing management by exception. For example, it automatically sends customers order status reports through the internet, and it also alerts staff about a whole host of exceptions, such as overdue works orders. This allows people to concentrate on things that matter rather than reading pages of reports and picking out the anomalies. It also reduces the incidence and cost of errors with "red flag" warnings delivered automatically by e-mail.

From marketing through sales, engineering, planning and production through to invoicing and accounting, SmartVision breaks down the internal barriers that exist in many organisations allowing information to flow freely for more informed decision-making.

Microsoft has spent many years developing state-of-the-art desktop productivity tools. K3 has gained considerable knowledge helping customers to make better use of their data and adding value by utilising the power of Microsoft Office tools. Integration with SmartVision enables users to analyse it in Excel, document it in Word, communicate it in PowerPoint, distribute it in Outlook and tell the world about it on the Web.

SmartVision also includes integrated financials. Its flexible account formatting, intelligent transaction processing, powerful budgeting and sophisticated financial reporting capabilities offer the tools needed to master financial data.

For companies that require advanced planning and scheduling, detailed resource information is held about machines, work centres, operators, skill levels, shift patterns and holidays which feed into capacity planning to provide the most realistic plan to deliver products to customers on time. Finite Capacity Scheduling is used to complement the capacity planning and master scheduling functions, thereby producing much shorter manufacturing lead-times than can be achieved through MRP alone.

Workflow facilities enable the creation of a series of checks and controls for business processes. Utilising a combination of SmartVision and Microsoft Outlook, Workflow helps effectively monitor and manage a business. Users define the process and build in the required conditions and people needed to be involved in the activity.
Comprehensive Product Data Management activities are also handled with SmartVision. They focus on a company's R&D and Engineering departments and help control the planning, process, documentation and implementation of Engineering Change Orders (ECO). SmartVision's ECO management includes tools for defining all parts, bills of material and documents needed to make a complete engineering change with a minimum of effort.

Features for Human Resources are designed to give total control over every important personnel application, including the ability to store, analyse and integrate all employee information in one central system. It tracks all aspects of the employee life cycle - from application to termination of the employment contract. And when Human Resources is integrated with Payroll, there is the additional ability to enter and edit transactions, print paycheques and generate other payroll reports.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

K3 Business Technology Group plc is a public company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Formerly known as Kewill ERP, the company is one of the UK?s leading authors and suppliers of Supply Chain Management and ERP software for the SME Sector. Products include IBS, SmartVision (ERP solutions), Omicron (financial software) and JobBOSS for small jobshops.

K3's clients in the UK include Rolls Royce, Thomson CSF, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Thales. With over 1650 current UK customers, the company is the UK's market leading supplier of UK-developed Supply Chain Management software to the SME sector.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Richard Thomas
K3 Business Technology Group plc
Electra House
Electra Way               
Crewe                     
Tel: 01270 211211               
E-mail: richard.thomas@k3btg.com                       
K3 can also be reached on its websites: www.lenamanufacturing.com and www.k3btg.com