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SCMP Reporter

Staffware, a provider of business process automation software for large organisations, is gearing up to package selected applications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the British-based company moves to expand in Asia-Pacific.

That development should reinforce the company's establishment of its eProcess division.

'We are investing in a plan to deliver certain applications, rather than just technology, to various areas as packaged solutions for SMEs,' said Andrew Lloyd-Skinner, Staffware's chief operating officer. He said the company expected to offer these applications within 18 months.

Mr Lloyd-Skinner said Asia probably would be the key market for the packaged 'workflow' applications because the majority of businesses across the region were run by SMEs.

He said Staffware also planned to tap application service providers (ASPs) to reach SMEs in Asia, Europe and North America.

ASPs provide online access to certain applications held in their servers to subscriber organisations.

Staffware helps large organisations automate internal processes in a way that supports, not drains resources away from core businesses.

There are about one million licensed users of Staffware worldwide, linked to more than 4,500 Unix and Windows NT-based server computers.

They represent main industry sectors including banking, insurance, telecommunications, utilities, transport, professional consulting and the government.

Staffware customers include American Express, BMW, Ericsson, Ikea and government bodies such as the Home Office in Britain and the United States' Bureau of Census.

The Staffware eProcess division focuses on providing e-business services for organisations that use the Internet.

Jon Pyke, Staffware executive vice-president and chief technology officer, said: 'Staffware eProcess extends the automation of business processes beyond internal applications of an organisation to encompass process-driven applications across the Internet.'

According to market research firm GartnerGroup, workflow-based eProcess software is the underlying engine that delivers a process-controlled service for e-business applications and users.

'The benefits of using Staffware technology in process-based applications is to streamline operations, increase efficiency, decrease costs and improve customer service, which benefits participants throughout the value chain,' Mr Pyke said.

Mr Lloyd-Skinner said Staffware's Asian eProcess division aimed to drive automation services through six key e-business markets - ASP, customer relationship management, supply-chain management, e-banking or straight-through processing, mobile commerce and electronic buying.

Those sectors, according to industry analysts, will post US$56 billion worth of sales in software and related services in five years, up from US$8 billion last year - an average annual growth rate of more than 60 per cent.

Paul Watts, managing director of Staffware Asia, said: 'Businesses throughout the greater mainland region are making major investments in e-business solutions. Local companies are confronted with the complex task of balancing the interests of customers, suppliers and partners against a backdrop of deregulation, globalisation and the threat of increased competition.'

According to Joseph Sweeney, Asia-Pacific research director at Gartner, business process management is a key weakness in many enterprises.

'There are many technical challenges to overcome, but it is essential to include business process management in e-business initiatives,' Mr Sweeney said.

'Staffware's eProcess technologies enable visionary enterprises to implement end-to-end e-business solutions that incorporate customers and third-party organisations and promise seamless interaction between front-office and back-office operations without discarding the huge investments made in legacy applications.'

Staffware's eProcess division and its partner organisations are nurturing early customers that are embracing Internet technologies to achieve significant eBusiness benefits. One customer is E-Commerce & Trade Services based in Hong Kong.

Staffware's eProcess partner organisations include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Concert, BEA, Ericsson, Compaq Computer and Candle Orientec.



Staffware turns attention to applications for Asian SMEs