Syspro (Pty) Ltd develops and markets Syspro, an ERP system designed exclusively for manufacturing and wholesale distribution companies. Syspro targets small to mid-sized businesses with both on-premise and hosted deployment options. Many businesses are compelled by Syspro’s value proposition, which is based on it being a small business serving small businesses.
Corporate Profile
| Date of Incorporation | 1978 | |
| Corporate Structure | Privately Held | |
| Key Shareholders | Phil Duff, founder and CEO of Syspro | |
| Head Office Location | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Other Office Locations | Canada, United States, Australia and UK | |
| Number of Employees | 350 | |
| Number of Customers | 14,500 | |
| Website | www.syspro.com | |
| Contact Information | USA and Americas Syspro Impact Software 959 South Coast Drive Costa Mesa, California 92626 USA Tel: +1 (714) 437-1000 Email: [email protected] |
South Africa Syspro (Pty.) Limited Block A, Sunninghill Place 9 Simboa Road Sunninghill, Johannesburg 9121 South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 11 461 1000 Email: [email protected] |
Corporate Performance
As a private company, Syspro does not publicly report the dollar value of its earnings. However, the following the chart displays our estimates of Syspro’s annual revenues.
[image]
Industries Served
(Our website may be experiencing technical difficulties. If the chart does not display, please contact our ERP experts for information about Syspro’s revenues).
- Automotive
- Building and construction
- Chemical
- Computer and electronics
- Consumer products
- Engineering
- Fabrication
- Furniture
- Food and beverage
- Machinery and equipment
- Medical devices
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastics and rubber
- Specialist vehicles
Pricing
Syspro uses different a different pricing model for each of its deployment options. For its on-premise software, Syspro charge a per-user license fee. License fees vary based on the modules that are licensed and the number of users. Volume and other discounts are availabe.
Syspro also offers hosted software delivered on demand (i.e. as a service) in an offering called BusinessLive. Reportedly, the functionality is the same as what’s available on-premise. Since BusinessLive is made available to each client in a single instance (as opposed to multi-tenant), clients can customize the software in the true sense. In terms of pricing, Syspro charges a monthly per user subscription fee of about $250 (U.S.), though actual pricing will depend on the particular circumstances of the buyer and its negotiating efforts. BusinessLive is hosted by K3 Business Technology Group, a U.K. based supplier of Microsoft business solutions for retail, manufacturing and distribution sectors.
For more information about the deployment options and Syspro’s pricing, please contact our independent ERP experts.
Key Strengths, Uncertainties and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Strong manufacturing and distribution functionality. As a small, niche player, Syspro focuses a large portion of its development efforts on manufacturing functionality. For example, in its 2010 release of version 6.1, Syspro completed its rollout of an Inventory Optimization Suite. In its upcoming version 7 release (scheduled for end of 2011 rollout), Syspro will offer native Quality Control and Quality Assurance functionality as well as enhanced Warehouse Management functionality. Syspro has also improved its CRM functionality and will continue to improve the Microsft Outlook interface.
- Very user friendly for small to mid-market players. Syspro understands that companies in its market aren’t likely to have sophisticated internal IT departments and, in many cases, don’t have any internal IT staff. So, in version 6.1 release, Syspro released SEAM3 (SYSPRO Enterprise Analysis Modeling, Monitoring and Management). It’s an easy-to-configure workflow and process design application. According to a Syspro reference, the module is easy-to-use. This company now restructures its own business processes without the use of outside consultants. Syspro also provides 235 graphical executive dashboards out-of-the-box, which minimizes a company’s need to seek outside help to develop personalized dashboards.
- Strong customer retention and distribution channel. Syspro boasts an 86% customer retention rate, which is among the highest in the industry. Syspro’s a small company, so it relies on its regional subsidiaries to select and manage a strong network of channel partners, or value-added resellers (VARs). Syspro’s channel network of 1,500 VARs manages software sales, implementation and support for more than 14,500 worldwide clients. The regional offices jump in to provide backup when necessary. In March of 2011, Syspro was named to CRN’s 2011 Partner Programs Guide and was awarded a 5-Star Partner rating.
Uncertainties
- Impact of CEO Duff’s exit. Syspro a private company whose control is highly concentrated in one key shareholder. Though Syspro’s structure includes five directors (counting Duff) and a regional executive team, we foresee some mid and long-term risks associated with Duff’s eventual departure. For all intents and purposes, Duff represents Syspro’s vision and strategy driver. His eventual retirement may create a leadership void, notwithstanding the mitigating impacts of the directorship and the regional executive team. Since ERP is typically viewed as a 10-year investment, companies should understand how any governance risks could impact their business and systems. Among other things, they’ll want to get some clarity on Duff’s expected tenure, Syspro’s succession plans and how any future organizational changes might affect the software and related services.
Weaknesses
- No native HR management module. Although Syspro can interface with third-party HR management applications, this avenue introduces incremental risks and costs relating to integration, maintenance and training. We’d like to see Syspro build out a native HR module. This would respond to the ever-increasing importance of human capital management. More than ever, businesses need tools to help them manage their aging workforces, shifting job requirements and recruitment.
- Inconsistent delivery of custom development work. Syspro’s developers are located in South Africa. A North American reference advised us of responsiveness and timeliness issues with respect to certain support requests that require developer intervention. Our research also suggests inconsistencies with respect to certain support issues. Syspro is, by and large, recognized as an excellent service provider. It would serve its clients well if it shored up these inconsistencies.
To learn more about Syspro or our ERP selection services, please contact our ERP experts.
Download The Ultimate ERP Selection Guide: Templates, Checklists & Scorecards
Whether your company is in the early stages of planning its digital transformation or is evaluating ERP vendors, you need to make sure you’re making the right decisions at each stage.
The Ultimate ERP Selection Guide: Templates, Checklists & Scorecards has powered hundreds of companies to select the right software at each stage. These tools and templates will power your project with best-practices so you can make the right decisions for your ERP project teams, requirements, budgets and evaluation of vendors, as well as equip you with ERP demonstration script templates, selection scorecard template, analysis of best-practices, and digital transformation and ERP selection checklist.
