nFold is making waves in the local software scene. Software users are confused by the multitude of applications available and find it difficult to choose. To give users access to more information about software and clarify the situation, nFold has launched a series of software showcase breakfasts. Two competing software vendors on the same theme are invited to present half-hour overviews. The audience rates them and then participates in a panel discussion. “Imagine if you were going to Cape Town and you weren’t sure whether to use a bicycle or a bus”, says Sandy Pullinger, founder of nFold. “Our customers are unsure what software best supports their business strategy and they turn to us for honest advice.”

Inundated with invitations by software vendors eager to sell their products, users need a new approach. Furthermore, there are few opportunities for managers to network with their peers over a specific technical issue their business may be experiencing. This showcase concept is the first of its kind and promises to stir up the industry. nFold is no stranger to fresh ideas. First to launch local enterprise software research in 2003, it partnered with ITWeb in 2005 to conduct the research online. Pullinger says that nFold was unsure how the showcase concept would be received by software vendors.

Thanks to great interest in the first software showcase on 21 February, nFold will be hosting another one soon. Moyo Zoo Lake affords a tranquil environment for an explosive idea. “Our first theme was mid-range ERP systems”, says Pullinger. Apparently one of the attendees even asked, “What is an ERP system?”. Since the corporate ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) space has become largely saturated, mainstream software vendors such as SAP, Oracle and Microsoft now compete aggressively for mid-sized customers. Plus there are a host of solutions, such as Accpac, Sage, Syspro and iScala that were all built for the mid-range. Growing companies reach a point where their entry level systems are no longer adequate to manage the business; that’s when they might need to an ERP system.

The theme for the next showcase on 6 April will be Payroll Software. Employers are currently issuing IRP5 certificates and submitting annual employees tax forms to SARS. They may not be aware of all the latest legislative requirements or be able to easily comply with these. Payroll Software is typically used by companies to issue pay slips, comply with legislation and manage human resources. The two payroll companies who will show their stuff are nuQ and Accsys. Other payroll vendors have been invited to participate in the panel discussion. Based on the lively debate at the last breakfast, nFold expects the next one to be well attended by CIO’s, IT managers, HR managers, payroll officers and general managers. “We rolled up our sleeves and explored the thorny issues, but no blood was spilled”, says Pullinger.

sandy@nfold.com
20 March 2006