May 9, 2005--
Lawson Software (Nasdaq:LWSN) signed a multi-million dollar software and services contract with Univar USA in Lawson's fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, which ends May 31, 2005. The chemical distributor licensed Lawson's Financials, Reporting and Procurement suites, and will use the applications to automate and integrate enterprise-wide data and improve its budgeting capabilities. The contract also includes implementation services from Lawson Professional Services.
Based in Kirkland, Wash., Univar USA is the leading chemical distributor in the nation. The company is part of Univar N.V., a $5.3 billion chemical distributor with a network of 164 distribution centers in the U.S., Canada, 14 European countries and China. Univar USA employs more than 3,000 people.
A Lawson Human Resources client since 1998, Univar's mainframe financial system -- implemented in the early 1990s -- provided efficient transaction processing capability, but did not offer the flexibility in management reporting and work flow functionality the company now needs. Additionally, there were issues around support of electronic transactions with Univar's legacy system. As part of the company's multi-year technology strategy focused on replacing and refreshing old systems, Univar determined it needed a new system that would manage its financial processes and provide more advanced capabilities.
"In making our decision, we looked at a number of products, discussed options with leading industry analysts and performed an in-depth functionality and testing assessment," said Bob Riemath, vice president, Information Systems, Univar USA. "Lawson was the right answer for us because it provided the technology, functionality and ease-of-use we need to increase efficiency and improve reporting across our organization. Cost also was a major consideration and Lawson was able to provide a solution at an appropriate price point, providing the low total cost of ownership Univar requires."
"Lawson's direction also aligned well with our technology strategy," added Riemath. "We're using IBM's WebSphere platform for much of our integration and new development, and Lawson seemed more compatible with that strategy than some of the other vendors."
Univar was attracted to Lawson Financials not only for its transaction processing capability, but for the opportunity to acquire an integrated, best-of-breed budgeting and planning solution as well. Specifically, Lawson's Budgeting and Planning application will help Univar conduct budgeting, periodic forecasting and planning more accurately, quickly and effectively. Univar also plans to utilize Lawson Financials' self-service functionality to enable customers and suppliers to access and manage their own financial information.
Univar will integrate the new Lawson suites with its existing Lawson Human Resources and Payroll applications. Univar expects to go live on the integrated system in early 2006.
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