Software that makes a grown company cry
Article Abstract:
Manufacturers are attracted to enterprise resource planning software's (ERP) efficiency, but installation is proving to be difficult. Nearly all leading US and European companies have deployed or have at least considered adding the software, which handles all phases of a manufacturer's operations, according to analysts. SAP AG has experienced a surge in an international market that AMR Research projects at $10.9 billion in 1997. Germany-based SAP's sales of ERP products leaped from $633.6 million in 1993 to $3.35 billion in 1997. Other beneficiaries include consultant Arthur Andersen as well as software vendors Peoplesoft, Oracle and Netherlands-based Baan. Companies must some difficult decisions when installing ERP software, as the new technology forces significant overhaul. Other key choices include the organization of a company's customers, sales and labor costs. The articles describes the experiences of three SAP customers: Brother Industries, Cultor Food Science and Visteon Automotive.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Bayer expected to divest itself of sluggish imaging business
Article Abstract:
Bayer AG will divest itself of its Agfa-Gevaert imaging unit. Bayer is expected to spin Agfa off to its shareholders. "Agfa is an important contributor to Bayer's profitability, but it just does not fit Bayer's portfolio anymore," said Dion Tron, an Agfa spokeswoman in the United States. Agfa accounted for 15 percent of Bayer's revenues last year, but only 9 percent of operating profits. Agfa's operating profits in 1997 were $238 million on $4.76 billion , which were double those of 1996. Agfa runs a distant third in film and paper to Eastman Kodak and Fuji Film.
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Bayer AG will divest its Agfa-Gevaert imaging unit
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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