Intentia Sets Focus on Profitability and Customer Satisfaction
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 2 (ots/PRNewswire)
Intentia International AB (publ) (XSSE:INT B), the enterprise solutions provider for the mid-market, announces the first stage of its new operational plan. Bertrand Sciard, who was appointed CEO in May, presented to the Board actions designed to put Intentia on the path to profitability.
Highlights of the plan include:
- Achieve operating profitability by Q4/2004
- Expand channel strategy
- Streamline the organisationIn addition, the company announced the appointment of Johan Berg as Executive Vice President and said that that a new Chief Financial Officer will be named prior to year-end to succeed Håkan Gyrulf.
The operational plan is expected to reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, improve the speed and quality in delivery of new products, strengthen market leadership in enterprise applications for medium size companies and increase growth. Bertrand Sciard says, "We are setting the foundation for profitability and sustainable growth with our customers in focus."
The Board approved the plan, and declared confidence in Intentia's new momentum. "I am impressed that Bertrand Sciard and his senior managers have been able to develop a new operational plan in such a short time," said Romesh Wadhwani, the Chairman of the Board. "This team is hitting the ground running."
Achieve Operating Profitability by Q4/2004
"The plan presented earlier this year already described what we need to do to align our costs to the revenues we expect to generate. It's now down to execution," Sciard stated. "Additional measures will be considered by the Board during the third quarter and announced when approved." New customer marketing efforts will be increased in the United States, China and Japan as well as other high potential markets. The company will strengthen initiatives to increase application sales to and maintenance revenue from the existing customer base. In combination, these measures are expected to bring Intentia back to operating profitability by Q4/2004.
Expanded Channel Strategy
Intentia is also opening up its channel strategy for distributing its Movex enterprise solutions, adding to the current direct selling orientation. The company is actively seeking out partners who will market, sell and implement Movex, and will for the first time license components of its software for use by OEM suppliers. This will enable Intentia to leverage Movex applications to a wider customer base. In markets where Intentia has an established presence, such as Northern Europe, direct selling will continue to be the dominant channel.
Organisation Streamlined
A simpler organisational structure was approved and is designed to promote growth, reduce costs and improve customer service.
Four geographic groups will have total responsibility for all customer activities in their area: the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Asia and Australia/New Zealand. Four former regions were consolidated into EMEA, and the separate senior management posts of Sales Director and Service Director were abolished.
Lars Prochéus, former Chief Marketing Officer and Jan Nilsson, former head of Business Group Central Europe will be leaving Intentia, with immediate effect. Franck Cohen, former Sales Director, will now head EMEA and Stephen Frobisher, former Service Director, is currently in discussions about taking on a new role.
Executive Vice President Named
Johan Berg assumes the post of Executive Vice President and will be instrumental in running the company as Sciard's principal deputy. The 12-year Intentia veteran headed research and development for eight years and previously helped establish Intentia's global network of business partners. In addition to heading the new channel strategy initiative and general management responsibilities, Berg will be responsible for improving customer support activities - Intentia University and i-Support - and Intentia's proprietary implementation methodology, Implex.
New CFO to be Appointed
The company also announced that a new CFO will be appointed. Håkan Gyrulf will remain in the post until the new CFO joins the company, which is expected to be prior to December 31, 2004.
"I expect that during the second half of 2004, we will have completed the task of putting Intentia on a sound, sustainable financial footing," said Gyrulf. "This makes it a good time to seek fresh challenges; I will be doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transition."
"On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my appreciation for the dedicated service that Håkan has given to Intentia. He has been instrumental in strengthening Intentia's financial position during 2003, in all of Intentia's financial market activities since its IPO in 1996 and has contributed greatly to making Intentia the global multinational it is today," said Sciard.
"The Board strongly believes that Intentia can be a market leader in providing enterprise solutions for specific industries in the mid-market, and achieve world class standards in terms of people and performance." concluded Sciard. "The way to sustained profitability is by keeping this focus, and concentrating on the industry suites and stand-alone applications where we have the greatest product superiority. It's all about execution and we're committed to making it happen."
About Intentia
Intentia is the only global enterprise applications provider dedicated to the mid-market, bringing software applications, products and consulting solutions to customers in the manufacturing, maintenance and distribution industries. By striving for 'perfect partnerships' with our customers, Intentia makes business processes more efficient. Through software, skills and committed professionals, we provide complete solutions that maximise productivity and revenue as well as cut costs. Intentia serves over 3,400 customers via a global network spanning some 40 countries.
Intentia's Movex collaborative application includes enterprise management, supplier relationship management, customer relationship management, supply chain management, value chain collaboration and workplace management.
Intentia is a public company traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (XSSE) under the symbol INT B. Visit Intentia's Web site at www.intentia.com
Contact:
For further information, please contact: Bertrand Sciard, Chief
Executive Officer, Intentia International AB, Telephone:
+46-8-5552-5757, Fax: +46-8-5552-5999, Cell phone: +46-733-27-5757,
e-Mail: bertrand.sciard@intentia.com; Håkan Gyrulf, Chief Financial
Officer, Intentia International AB, Telephone: +46-8-5552-5825, Fax:
+46-8-5552-5999, Cell phone: +46-733-27-5825, e-Mail:
hakan.gyrulf@intentia.se; Michael Telfer, Corporate Communication
Manager, Intentia International AB, Fax: +46-8-5552-5999, Cell phone:
+46-733-15-9222, e-Mail: michael.j.telfer@intentia.se