Schouw Informatisering goes international
French Isatech first SI Foodware sales partner
Etten-Leur, 1 December 2008 - After opening the first foreign branch in Belgium, Schouw Informatisering is now broadening its horizons even further. "Our product and the organisation are ready for internationalisation now," explains Danny Cevaal, R&D Manager at Schouw Informatisering. "We are convinced that SI Foodware® is a good standard solution specifically for the European food industry." The system is based on Microsoft Dynamics® NAV, and the combination creates a company-wide ERP solution for companies in the food and beverage sector in particular. In order to market SI Foodware in other parts of Europe, Schouw has chosen a partner model. The first steps have now been taken in France through collaboration with Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Isatech. In addition, Schouw recently signed a partner agreement with Portuguese partner CPCis and is actively seeking partners in England. Cevaal: "Schouw has taken the first steps to becoming European market leader."
Our aim
"We believe that we have an excellent add-on which has considerable potential in the European market," according to Cevaal. "In 2005 our SI Foodware software was prepared for this, but our organisation was only ready for internationalisation at the beginning of this year." Our ERC (European Research Centre) investigates trends and developments in the European food industry and reviews technological developments which may be interesting for Schouw Informatisering. These developments form the input for further expansion of Schouw’s products and services. "Market research shows that in many European countries there is no food industry solution like SI Foodware and that there is indeed a requirement for a sector specific solution." Cevaal goes on to explain: "Which is why our goal is to become European market leader with our company-wide ERP solution for medium-sized companies in the food industry."
First step in France
The first international step with the partner model has been taken through collaboration with the French partner Isatech. Cevaal explains: "Our client Domino’s Pizza wanted to implement our solution at their offices in France. However, we have very limited knowledge of the French market and we had the additional problem of the travelling distance. That is why we went in search of a French Microsoft partner." It wasn’t long before Schouw came into contact with Isatech. This Microsoft Gold Certified Partner also bases their solutions on Dynamics NAV and they have a great deal of expertise in the French food industry. In other words: the right partner for Schouw. In the meantime Isatech has already landed the first French clients and is in touch with various prospects. Cevaal: "We noticed immediately that there is great potential for our solution in the French market, so we have every confidence in a good partnership with Isatech."
Looking forward: new partners
The Portuguese partner CPCis has already signed a partner agreement with Schouw and this makes CPCis our second international partner. Furthermore, in December Schouw will actively start looking for an English partner. In order to distribute SI Foodware in other countries Schouw is still looking for more European partners, preferably Dynamics NAV partners who have knowledge of and experience in the food industry. "There is a clear need in Europe for a standard solution specific to this sector." Cevaal concludes: "We expect to establish good working relationships with several European partners." For further information about SI Foodware see www.sifoodware.eu.