PeerSpot user
Product & Project Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Consultant
It is based on industry standards that are using a multi-tier deployment model.

What is most valuable?

IFS Applications is based on industry standards that are using a multi-tier deployment model. This makes it much easier to integrate IFS Applications with other enterprise software packages.

The user interface of IFS applications is easy to learn and move around. The interface is based on the latest technology and offers many features for filtering, searching and navigating.

IFS Applications is based on open architecture. It uses component-based service-oriented architecture (SOA) built on open standards. The application’s component-based architecture has allowed us to develop in-house and tailor the system to suit our needs.

How has it helped my organization?

It reduces the need for customization and can easily be modified by our developers.

With IFS Applications, we have a solution that can be tailored to match the demands of our projects.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using this product for 12 years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have never had any scalability issues.

For extreme scalability and reliability, IFS supports deployment models ranging
from small servers to large, high-performance database servers with multiple applications servers running in parallel.

Buyer's Guide
IFS Cloud Platform
March 2024
Learn what your peers think about IFS Cloud Platform. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2024.
770,141 professionals have used our research since 2012.

How are customer service and support?

Customer Service:

I rate the level of customer service a good 8/10.

Technical Support:

I rate the level of technical support a good 6/10.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We did not use a different solution before purchasing this one.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup or implementation was a little more complex than I expected. We purchased a pre-configured version.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

This software is sold under a user-based pricing model. This includes access to all the modules of the system, which you can turn on or off for each user based on security.

If you only need a limited amount of functionally now and in the future, buying a module-based system will usually save you money. However, module-based pricing will limit the scalability of your ERP system. For many companies, user-based pricing is often a better value and a better investment – you get more for your money and room to grow.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before choosing, we evaluated the other options.

What other advice do I have?

IFS Applications contains a number of features including financials, CRM, quality management, human resources, document management, business intelligence and more...

Using pre-packaged process solutions, IFS maps your business processes to functionality that already exists within IFS Applications. By only using the best functionality from IFS Applications, you get a comprehensive off-the-shelf solution with fewer modifications.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user135945 - PeerSpot reviewer
CEO at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Provides warehouse functionality. The pricing matrix allowed us to implement an automated pricing model.

What is most valuable?

Pricing matrix and warehouse functionality.

  • Pricing Matrix: Allowed us to implement a very complex "go to market" pricing model. This allowed us to tailor pricing to individual customer requirements. We could implement an automated pricing model that maximized gross profit in a very competitive environment.
  • Warehouse Functionality: In ERP terms is rich, allowing us to run three separate businesses in a shared warehouse environment.

How has it helped my organization?

It has enforced process discipline within the business. This led to increased efficiencies and reduced errors. At the same time, it gave business visibility to operational and senior management.

What needs improvement?

Usability could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

My time with the product has spanned two years. There was eighteen months during the implementation process, and six months after go-live.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is generally stable. It is no better or worse that other ERP packages that I have used.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have only had scalability issues in terms of hardware. The product scales well. However, the original hardware requirements were not specified high enough to meet the number of users. We increased disk I/O on the server to resolve this issue.

How are customer service and technical support?

Local Australian based support is good. This consists mainly of product consultants, subject matter experts, and project managers.

As the product is developed overseas, customization that requires programming takes longer than originally expected.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We had a bespoke green screen-based ERP with limited functionality.

We changed solutions to get better functionality and a modern, supported platform to take us forward for the foreseeable future.

How was the initial setup?

The initial implementation was more complex than expected. We purchased a pre-configured version. We were told that it would fit our business model.

During implementation, it was found to be inadequate. Additional configuration changes had to be made throughout the implementation phase.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Both the pricing and licensing need to be negotiated up front. If possible, include future expansion plans in terms of additional users and modules. The best discounts are applied at the initial purchasing stage.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated two other SAP products.

What other advice do I have?

I would advise that you include a "Fit/Gap analysis" workshop as part of the evaluation process. This may add to the cost, but will reduce the number of issues that need to be resolved during the project implementation.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
IFS Cloud Platform
March 2024
Learn what your peers think about IFS Cloud Platform. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2024.
770,141 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Managing Director at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
Quickly identifies open tickets
Pros and Cons
  • "We could quickly understand what was going on and what the customer wanted to do."
  • "Some kind of bot assistance, some kind of artificial intelligence to help people solve the problems, would be interesting."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case for Assyst was in a governmental institution here in Brazil around that time. It was a project, during which we spent some time traveling in Brazil and implementing solutions. It was government implementation.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature to us was the capability to quickly identify the tickets we have open with people and follow up then. It was very good. We could quickly understand what was going on and what the customer wanted to do. It's a nice feature.

What needs improvement?

I'm speaking in regards to the state of the IP in 2016, and I don't know how it has improved since that time. However, I would say that some kind of bot assistance, some kind of artificial intelligence to help people solve the problems, would be interesting.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've used Assyst for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We didn't have any problems at all with the stability of this solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Our maintenance is about 20 hours per month, or less. Maintenance was not significant. The product was a huge product, so we had a lot of people. When the product was in month two or three there were almost ten people. We are in 24 states here in Brazil, and a lot of offices were running at the same time. But if we're talking about just one company, even a big company, we had one or two people doing implementation.

And it wasn't a surprise in the private sector that at a big company or enterprise it would about three months of three people working.

How are customer service and technical support?

Of course we had moments that we had to talk with the company in Edinburgh to solve some problems, and they had the answer. The answer was generally quick. We didn't usually have any problem with them. Sometimes the solution was more difficult, but not critical.

How was the initial setup?

It was complex. The deployment was not a problem at all. The tool, on the whole, is very quick to set up. The problem was on the part of the customer, because they delayed a lot of things, and it was difficult to make the user respond to our questions and the needs of the project. If I compare with other solutions, the problem is that our system is too old. If you compare it with the service amount, we have a big difference in service. Now it's much better, of course. To improve the performance we had to review the accessory. It would be sometimes a radical modification.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Licensing is on an annual basis, with no additional costs.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

When I came over to this company, it was decided that the product would be Assyst, so I didn't do any evaluation. However, if we had any bids with the other products Assyst unfortunately would have lost the bids.

What other advice do I have?

Based on what I know, I would rate Assyst as an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Markos Symeonides - PeerSpot reviewer
Markos SymeonidesCEO North America at a tech vendor with 201-500 employees
Real User

The solution has developed and matured in line with market and enterprise client's expectations through 2020 and beyond. The latest AI/ML and automation modules are what now sets the tool apart from competition as well as the new UX which is very FB esq.

Presales and Solution Architect at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Versatile and flexible, with good enterprise management solutions, but the pricing needs to be more competitive
Pros and Cons
  • "Some of the strengths are Enterprise Management Solutions and the series of Management solutions which is number one in Gartner's report and has been for the last five years."
  • "There are certain digital features that need to be incorporated, such as IOP."

What is our primary use case?

We provide the implementation for our clients.

IFS is an ERP, that is globally ranked number four. It's a master's in enterprise management and foodservice management. 

Globally, we are doing multiple projects with many of our clients, but most of these projects are coming as a transformation to digital. As a part of the digital transformation journey, we need to understand the cloud solution as well.

We work in the four segments and we agree with the enterprise solution in the workplace.

The following are the four segments we work with:

  1. Aerospace & Defense
  2. Manufacturing
  3. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  4. Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)

What is most valuable?

Some of the strengths are Enterprise Management Solutions and the series of Management solutions which is number one in Gartner's report and has been for the last five years.

This solution is very versatile, and it's very flexible.

What needs improvement?

There are certain digital features that need to be incorporated, such as IOP. It's a blockchain platform. We are currently exploring these types of features to enhance our solutions for added value for our clients. 

Pricing is an area that could be improved. They could be more competitive.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been providing this product for more than three years.

We provide the latest version, but there are some clients who are working on older versions and want to transform them into the new version. 

It's a conversion to the new versions, along with the digital transformation especially in the manufacturing sector. 

They want some kind of new technology to come up and add some value to them. That's a part of the journey for digital transformation.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a stable product, but depending on the clients, there are times where upgrades are required for custom development.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's a scalable product. We can scale it easily and it is not a problem.

We provided services for all types of clients. We deal with very large clients to small growing clients as well.

This solution is suitable for any size of company and there are no constraints.

How are customer service and technical support?

There are times where we require technical support. Most of the time we provide our clients with support.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not complex. It's easier than other IOPs.

The time for deployment depends on the client's requirements, and the scope of the project, but on average, it takes three to six months for deployment.

What about the implementation team?

We have a team to implement and maintain and support this solution for our clients.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's not cheapest, and it's not mediocre pricing. 

Pricing is comparatively or sufficiently higher than maybe all other IT solutions.

There are no additional fees, and everything is included in the license.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

When comparing the IFS product, and to some extent SAP, we can say that IFS stands on the top. 

What other advice do I have?

Definitely, I would recommend this solution to others.

The solution from IFS is one of the best solutions and I would rate it a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Presales and Solution Architect at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Versatile with good enterprise management solutions but pricing could be better
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution overall is very versatile and flexible, especially compared to other products."
  • "It would be ideal if, in the future, the product could incorporate IoT and blockchain elements. We'd like to explore more of these types of features going forward."

What is our primary use case?

We work in the four segments: aerospace and defense, manufacturing, EPTA (enterprise) which is contracting and sub-contracting, and enterprise management. We offer enterprise solutions in the client's workplace. 

What is most valuable?

The enterprise management solutions within the solution are very strong. It's been listed as number one in the Gartner Report for the last five years. They really are at the top of their game.

The solution overall is very versatile and flexible, especially compared to other products.

What needs improvement?

As a salesperson, my perspective is limited. Someone from a development team may have more insights into which features may be lacking.

It would be ideal if, in the future, the product could incorporate IoT and blockchain elements. We'd like to explore more of these types of features going forward. We feel they could enhance our client experience and add value to our own solutions.

The pricing could be a bit better. It's a little high.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been dealing with the solution for three years at this point.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable. Even if we have to do upgrades or customized development, it performs well. We don't find there are issues with bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability isn't a problem at all. It's very easy to do if a company needs to expand the solution.

How are customer service and technical support?

In a large majority of cases, we handle the technical support for our clients. It's been very rare where we would need to reach out to IFS technical support to get assistance with problems.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup isn't too complex. In fact, it's pretty simple. It's straightforward.

The length of time it takes to deploy depends on the client's requirements and the scope of the project. On average, it takes about two to six months to deploy.

I haven't personally handled the implementation, however, as I am more on the sales-side.

We handle the maintenance on behalf of our clients as necessary.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is not cheap. It's competitive, however, it's a bit higher than other options on the market. Everything is included in the license. You don't have to purchase additional features beyond that.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

So far, we've compared IFS to some extent with SAP. Comparatively, we can say IFS stands on top, at least compared to SAP.

What other advice do I have?

We have to work with the latest version of the solution. However, there are some clients who are working on the old versions and they want to perform on the new versions. Occasionally, there is conversion onto new versions. 

Along with the digital transformation, clients are especially in the manufacturing sector. They want some kind of new technology to come up and add some value to them. That's a part of the journey for digital transformation.

We are currently exploring the cloud, even though we mostly work with the on-premises deployment model.

The solution is suitable for all sizes of business. We have solution working for big clients as well as for small, growing clients.

Overall, I would recommend the solution. It's one of the best on the market and is well known.

I'd rate the solution seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free IFS Cloud Platform Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free IFS Cloud Platform Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.