PeopleSoft plans Rapid Start for SMBs

PeopleSoft is targeting SMBs with a new 'rapid start' product unveiled at its regional conference today.

PeopleSoft is targeting SMBs with a new 'rapid start' product unveiled at its regional conference today.

PeopleSoft expected its EnterpriseOne Rapid Start product would enable it to boost its customer base to include companies with lower revenues.

The vendor claimed Rapid Start enabled SMBs to quickly implement pre-configured core processes.

PeopleSoft is not the first ERP vendor to recently focus on SMBs. SAP downsized its enterprise offering earlier this year.

"Mid-sized businesses want solutions that aren't complex, but are sophisticated and allow them to drive best practice process throughout their operations.

"Increasingly they are competing on a global scale, or finding themselves as part of a complex supply chain, so affordability, flexibility and best practice is what they need," said David Webster, managing director at PeopleSoft Australia New Zealand, in a statement.

Speaking at Peoplesoft's first regional conference since the acquisition of JD Edwards, Webster also acknowledged a charge levelled at the company that it had been too internally focused.

Webster pledged the company would now concentrate better on the needs of customers and channel partners.

"Many customers feel our focus had been internal over the last 12 months. Yes, it has. Our focus has been on integrating two companies [since the acquisition of JD Edwards]," he said.

"I have talked to many customers over the last 12 months. Some of those conversations have been difficult," he added.

Webster said PeopleSoft would continue to invest in the Australia and New Zealand region and grow go-to-market channels.

The initial release of Rapid Start is available on IBM eServer iSeries and Windows platforms. Rapid Start will be available directly from PeopleSoft and through the PeopleSoft Business Partner channel.