CDC Software is planing integrate TradeBeam’s SaaS applications into its CDC Supply Chain product line. Main goal of this integration is help customers improve supply chain visibility and automate their import and export global trade management and compliance processes. TradeBeam also offers additional opportunities for company’s enterprise solution customers. TradeBeam provides SaaS solutions for import and export  compliance, global sourcing, collaborative forecast and inventory visibility, supply chain event management and global trade finance. TradeBeam holds several patents in its technology and has more than 1,000 customers with users in more than 100 countries worldwide. Both company share similarly vertical  markets,including financial services, retail, medical and high-tech and logistics. Main goal of CDC Software is reaching 70 percent of revenue coming from maintenance and recurring SaaS revenue in the next few years.

They use cutting-edge technology and surpass the older systems in terms of functionality. As a result, many entrepreneurs are in two minds about it. Either they can purchase the most recent and advanced system (although the implementation of their present system was already a large investment) or they can stick to the older system which remains functional despite somewhat outdated software functions. Sometimes companies invest in new systems and continue to use the older ones. However, this usually results in the overlapping of similar functions from the two systems. Employees do the same work twice and precious time is lost. The way to avoid such problems is to integrate the different versions of the IT systems. The service of system integration is provided by many IT companies. Integrated systems, e.g. CRM, EDI, ECR, invoicing software and many others, operate in close cooperation, which makes the company work like a well-oiled engine. Once the systems have been integrated, the data entered into them will be automatically present in those remaining. The benefits are evident for all.

Nevertheless an IT system will be fully functional only if it is effectively implemented. The implementation must comprise all principal activities aiming at maximization of system efficiency, i.e. definition of user needs, adaptation to individual requirements, collection of information necessary for the system configuration and the installation itself along with configuration and optimization. The last stage is the training of employees who will use the system. For those reasons every implementation is unique since it requires an individual approach to the requirements and structure of the given company. Depending on individual cases, this multi-stage process may also be time-consuming. The stage of user training is more crucial than it is often admitted. Even the most advanced and intuitive system will remain useless if none of the employees knows how to operate it and realize its full potential. All system users should be provided with software instructions, descriptions of particular functions and modules, methods of navigating the applications as well as all other necessary guidelines. Moreover, the software producer should ensure permanent support with regard to system operation. The majority of Polish IT companies provide the required assistance. Otherwise, the operation of the system, especially immediately after implementation, might involve insurmountable obstacles for the users.

Finally, IT companies have arrived at a practicable solution, which was made possible by the development of the Internet infrastructure in Poland. Fifteen years had to pass since the Internet made its appearance in Poland before the full potential of the Web EDI systems could be realized. EDI systems operate through an Internet connection with the system center installed at one of the partner offices. Such a solution means benefits for all the partners. First of all, data can be entered into the system by each supplier or recipient. Internet-based electronic document interchange provides each of the partners with immediate access to the information stored in the system. The system reduces the workload by allowing each partner to provide current information about the order status, invoices and warehouse inventories.

Advanced banking software has numerous merits which follow the tendency of computerizing bank’s facilities. First and foremost, banking systems improve the workflow and all processes within the institution. These processes become fully automated, which makes them faster and controllable by the IT system. As a result, this risk of error is considerably lessened. Advanced and well-chosen banking software allows for getting ahead of the competition with regard to strategic decisions and, for instance, marketing an attractive service before other banks. Software for the banking sector collects information and monitors the realization of numerous processes, which greatly reduces the response time and facilitates introducing modifications in future.

There is only one “but”. The investment in ERP systems will be profitable and will yield return on condition that a detailed analysis precedes the choice of the ERP system. Only then will it be able to perform its function effectively and bring considerable financial benefits. Therefore, a number of aspects related to the features of the ERP system should be considered prior to the purchase. When the company’s expectations are specified beforehand, it is much easier to communicate with ERP providers as to the type of system that the company actually requires. Firstly, the expectations with regard to the ERP system should be well-defined. Its profitability is taken for granted. The point is to go into details. One should consider the methods of competing with other companies, since that will be one of the crucial criteria for determining the features of the required system.
Secondly, one should obtain information regarding the clearing method of the entire project consisting of the purchase and implementation of the ERP system. It is a large investment, and so the completion of the project should guarantee that the system operates without flaws and that the first step towards concrete benefits has actually been taken. The providers should specify the offer and what it includes besides the installation itself. Do they provide personnel with training with regard to the operation of the system? Will they provide the technical support and for how long? What is the actual quality of that support?
Thirdly, implementation of ERP systems entails risks. One should have the risks specified beforehand along with the most effective method of their minimization. It is vital to ask the provider for detailed information concerning the risks taken, otherwise it may turn out that following the implementation the operating costs have increased and the investment yields no return whatsoever.
When choosing an ERP system in accordance with definite criteria, one should focus not only on the technical aspects, but also on the credibility of the provider and the exact terms of the contract.

The crucial process is sales and the choice of its channels that will transmit the product or the service to potential customers.
In the olden days the sales channel was made up of two elements: the sales person and the delivery car. The 21st-century sales strategy comprises a wide range of combinations of various marketing and sales channels which allows for reaching the maximum number of customers and selling the offered products. One must determine the channels that connect to the market which the company wants to enter. Sales channels may be owned exclusively by the given company, but they also may be indirect or altogether independent of the company. As a beginner, each company bases its activities on independent sales channels, i.e. agents, distributors and partners. Such state of affairs is determined by financial limitations which are inevitable at the early stage. However, as the company develops, it has to invest into new sales and distribution channels in order to avoid the phenomenon called “bottleneck”, i.e. not sufficient throughput for the offered products or services. The sales costs will surely increase, but so will the number of sold products and the general turnover. This, in turn, will allow for quicker responses to customer needs and full control over the entire sales process.
Specialist IT systems for sales channel management can come in very useful with regard to monitoring and realization of the process. The present-day IT market abounds in companies that offer solutions supporting the marketing and distribution channels which form an integral part of the overall sales strategy. Comarch and its sales management system (ECOD) can serve as the best example in this case. Two modules of the system can prove to be particularly useful. They are ECOD Agent, which provides comprehensive support for points of sale and mobile sales representatives, and ECOD Distribution, which handles communication and reporting within distribution channels.

For this reason, the selecting of a particular ERP system should be preceded with relevant consideration and preparation largely on the part of the company rather than the ERP provider.
Integrated ERP systems for enterprise management are appreciated by an increasing number of companies that decide to purchase and implement them. ERP systems address the needs of both small and large enterprises, allowing for full control over the processes and activities. Large companies, which cannot do without such systems, have been using them for a long time. Smaller enterprises, on the other hand, cannot afford to purchase an ERP systemy at the initial stage of their business activity. Therefore, they use simpler supporting solutions. Some companies have become accustomed to the older software and see no need for implementing new advanced systems. However, as time goes by, the technologies supporting older systems become outdated and impractical. They can hinder the development and smooth functioning of the enterprise. This is the moment when a company starts searching for an ERP system that will answer both to present and future needs and will be able to keep up with the dynamic development of the company. However, prior to the search the company should conduct a thorough analysis of its needs so as to be able to choose the best-suited system.

The following aspects are worth considering in particular:

• the implemented ERP system should increase the quality of actual functionalities. However, it is often the case that a new ERP system does not bring in anything new, and the offered functionalities are not actual improvements. Many ERP systems implemented in various companies are exact imitations of the former system with its processes and functions. What is the result? If the former planning of business processes was ineffective, the ERP system will continue the same processes but in an automated mode, which might have a negative impact upon the efficiency of the company.
• the ERP system should create new possibilities for the company’s development and open up new areas for its activities; it is not responsible solely for systematization of the present processes and activities. A wrong choice may result in the system imposing technical and functional limitations that will impede the development of the company. This might in turn require further investment in new systems when the recently implemented system still has not yielded as much as it cost.
• the third aspect involves training in operating the ERP system. If the ERP software provider conducts thorough training, company personnel will be able to learn how the new system can facilitate their work. It is often the case that employees are not enthusiastic about advanced solutions because they have become accustomed to older systems. Therefore, they need to be convinced that the new software is a crucial step forward and not just a technical state-of-the-art curiosity.

The banking systems can be divided according to their functions. They may be systems for asset management, finance and accounting software, sales systems, software for operating credits, risk management systems and others. The particular modules of the systems, constituting one large banking system, may be implemented individually. Afterwards, it is possible to integrate the separate modules on the condition that the software has been provided by one producer or its structure allows for easy integration. Before the bank chooses which system to implement, it must conduct a detailed analysis of its needs and requirements with regard to the IT system. It is frequently the case that a company wishes to invest a lot of money in the system. However, if it is a small or a medium sized enterprise, a large and extended system may not be the best solution. IT systems for the banking sector should be adapted to the company’s needs and allow for further extension as the bank develops and starts