IFS Applications 9 and IFS Managed Cloud on Microsoft Azure Announced at IFS World Conference 2015

IFS Applications 9 launches at IFS World Conference 2015
New version of IFS Applications features major enhancements in user experience, architecture and functionality

IFS, the global enterprise applications company, launched IFS Applications 9, the new core version of its extended enterprise applications suite. IFS Applications 9 reportedly delivers customers true business agility by bringing them closer to their business and by providing them with the flexibility to capitalize on change. This is thanks to innovations in user experience, new features, enhanced configurability, and a new layered application architecture.

New to IFS Applications 9 is:

• IFS Lobby—a clear and tailored view of the business or situation as it relates to a role or process. IFS Lobby is fully customizable and presents at-a-glance, actionable information relevant to each unique user. This UI improvement makes IFS Applications 9 easier and faster to use, bringing users closer to their business, no matter whether accessed on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
• IFS Streams—a notification system designed to keep you close to the pulse of your business by posting relevant updates and actions to processes, relevant to individual users.
• Layered application architecture—specialized extension and customization layers that streamline and drive cost out of modifications to the application. Technical staff can now spend more time adding value to your business rather than administering customizations.
• Embedded CRM—providing truly embedded CRM capabilities, IFS Applications 9 makes business data accessible to the right people at the right time, enabling better decision making and customer service.
• Enhanced support for global business—new capabilities for group consolidation, improved support for matrix organizations, and a host of other improvements that help global businesses capitalize on their size and reach.

IFS Applications 9 has been deployed through an early adopter program with five customers who have been testing and providing feedback on the system for more than a year. Representing a wide spread of industries and geographies, the early adopters are Beijer Electronics, Kimal, Spang Magnetics, VBMS, and Servi Group.

IFS announces global availability of IFS Managed Cloud on Microsoft Azure
Customers can now benefit from a fully managed, single-tenant cloud offering where IFS will manage the cloud infrastructure, operating system, database, middleware, and IFS Applications

IFS also announces the global availability of IFS Applications as a fully managed service on Microsoft Azure. IFS Managed Cloud on Microsoft Azure offers customers a flexible and cost-effective way to benefit from IFS Applications.

Optimized for IFS Applications versions 8 and 9, IFS Managed Cloud is a security-enhanced single-tenant cloud within the Azure environment. Customers can decide how and when changes are made to IFS Applications, specify maintenance and upgrades to suit their business needs. The offering enables a company's internal IT staff to focus on supporting business requirements rather than administrative maintenance and upgrades.

1,000,000 users of IFS solutions
IFS announced that its solutions, including IFS Applications, IFS Field Service Management and IFS Mobile Workforce Management, have reached the one million mark in terms of number of active users. Current IFS customer Linamar is expanding the use of IFS Applications within its business and is being assigned the millionth IFS user seat.

Global diversified automotive and industrial manufacturer Linamar first chose IFS to support its business processes in 2005. The company has since continuously expanded its use of IFS Applications, which is today used by some 2,600 Linamar staff working at 37 plants in nine countries.

Presented with a "One Millionth User" commemorative plaque at the 2015 IFS World Conference in Boston were Linamar representatives Lori Gofton and Lorrie Weiss.

Ralph Rio, ARC Advisory Group, commented, "With Applications 9, IFS targeted modernizing the user interface.  The new IFS Lobby and IFS Streams look like it has been successful.  No more Post-It notes for reminders!"

Keywords: Enterprise Applications, Configurability, Notification System, Embedded CRM, Cloud, Microsoft Azure, ARC Advisory Group.