|
|
|
| . |
|
Bengt Nilsson, president and CEO of Industrial and Financial Systems (IFS), calls himself "resolute" because, despite the hardships experienced by today's technology sector, his company is fighting not for survival but for growth. For Nilsson, the future looks bright. His company, which develops and supplies component-based business applications that streamline operations in medium- and large-size enterprises, has posted the fastest growth worldwide in the market for large-scale business applications. Ranked as one of the five largest companies in the world in the industry, with over 3,500 employees and sales in 43 countries, IFS has avoided the ill-fate that many new economy companies have had to endure. "The major reason for the meltdown in the dot-com sector last year was a short-cycled view of life, the mistake of underestimating the cost of branding." explained Nilsson. "It is as simple as that." Why the brick-and-mortar companies will use the Internet now is because they have the brands; they spent many years building. "We are sort of a brick-and-mortar company in our business. We have been here for almost 20 years and we have one of the more solid brand names in our sector. Our range of business applications includes solutions for a spectrum of manufacturing requirements from engineering to order to process solutions." Nearly 20 years since Nilsson and four companions started IFS, it has remained in a class of its own. By providing IT solutions that include business applications and e-business products based on advanced component technology, IFS increases freedom for its customers. The core feature of IFS Applications is its component-based approach, which provides companies with a step-by-step evolution to an extended enterprise. "No company can afford best of breed. Companies have to buy systems from vendors and upgrade them with components that they can change whenever the need arises. Our philosophy is that the components should be interchangeable for upgrading and new technology," explained Nilsson. It was just four years ago when IFS launched its component-based business applications, the first business-applications vendor to do so. Today, industrial giants such as BMW have recognized the benefits of the IFS model. Figures for 2000 show that IFS increased its growth in license sales in the market for large-scale business solutions by 74 percent. But as far as Nilsson is concerned, this is still only the dawn of what promises to be a glorious decade for IFS. "We recently launched IFS Applications 2001, which includes 500 enhancements and additions as well as integrated e-business functions. This will allow companies to collaborate with their suppliers, partners and customers. IFS Applications 2001 is by far the best and most modern suite of business applications in the market today." IFS has also trained its sights toward Japan, according to the articulate and charismatic executive. He explained, "The Japan market is a market that we have been looking at very closely. It is a very R&D-driven country with a very long-term approach to business. Because of this, I am very bullish about the advancements that this market will make in the long term." "Japan is currently in a tremendous position to move forward, and I see this as a great opportunity for us as well. We have been serious players in the Japanese market for three to four years now and have a solid partnership with NEC. We have a history of developing new products with NEC in Japan and then later bringing them to the global market. We Swedes work very well with Japanese management mainly because of our similar views on products and technology." While most technology companies are finding it increasingly difficult to fund their expansion, IFS has aggressively been pursuing different market opportunities. By developing a strategy of collaboration with partners in a variety of markets and important industry segments, IFS has been able to achieve maximum return on investments in product development. IFS boasts an impressive portfolio of partners ranging from industrial powerhouse ABB to aerospace leader BAE Systems. Last year IFS invested 22 percent of its turnover in R&D, making it No. 1 one in the whole of Sweden ahead of the likes of Ericsson, Electrolux and Volvo - a startling fact considering the hardships of the new economy. "We invested 22 percent of our turnover in R&D. Obviously you can't keep it on that level, but we invested deliberately to ensure that we ended up with our current product line IFS Applications 2001, which business analysts have already praised for its completeness and vision. It is our products that drive us forward. And, for quality products, you need quality R&D," said Nilsson. Asked why IFS has performed so commendably over the years, Nilsson replied, "Simple. We are determined to succeed. Keeping our R&D at a very high level and pursuing our strategy of strategic alliances have put us firmly at the forefront of our industry." Clearly, it's Nilsson's unbridled determination that has allowed IFS to achieve its target and become one of the five biggest business applications vendors in the world.
|
Honda www.honda.se Yamaha www.yamaha-motor.se Scania www.scania.com IFS www.ifsworld.com  |
Like the company he heads, IFS President Bengt Nilsson has a passion for quality and performance.
Twenty years of patient brick-and-mortar business plicies from its Swedish HQ have made IFS a global leader in the "new economy"