Afresh Consult now a Sage ERP X3 Diamond partner

With a rapidly growing presence in sub-Saharan Africa, enterprise resource planning specialist Afresh Consult has added the Sage ERP X3 suite to its software solutions portfolio. The company, which has made a name for itself in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Kenya, has opened a dedicated division which focuses exclusively on the solution and is investing in training and personnel to take it to market across the region.

According to Immo Böhm, Afresh Consult MD, it sought an ‘upper-midrange’ ERP solution to complement its existing software offerings. “We’ve done very well at the mid-lower tier of the market, with over 60 clients in Anglophone sub-Saharan Africa; however, there is a clear opportunity emerging for software which is above that level,” he says.

In seeking a suitable software suite, Böhm says functionality and performance was just one facet of the process. “We also wanted a vendor which has an appropriate channel strategy which would fit with our own approach: Afresh does not enter into partnerships lightly. With the investment in terms of money and time, we wanted a partner which would bring the same levels of commitment to value creation.”

He adds that a track record which would provide some indication of future longevity was also considered. “In Sage, we have found a vendor with the right software, the right channel programmes and the right level of partner support for our organisation.”

As a Sage ERP X3 Diamond-level partner, Böhm says Afresh is investing in training to sell, implement and support the solution through its new division. That investment includes a recently kicked off internship programme in terms of which six individuals have joined the company, focused on programming and consulting on this software.

Sage Software describes its ERP X3 as a compact and affordable software system for mid-sized companies, which supports all business processes across finance, distribution and manufacturing. Diamond Level is the vendor’s highest partnership distinction and is awarded as recognition of reseller participation in training and other partner programmes offered by the software company.

“As we take Sage ERP X3 to market, there will be specific focus on manufacturing and distribution; there is considerable opportunity for Afresh Consult to grow its presence and reputation as a provider of ERP solutions which accelerate business performance,” Böhm concludes.