An ideal opportunity to find the best ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system for you takes place at an event where nine top ERP products will be pitted against one another.

If you are in the market for an ERP system this is an event not to be missed. It is a unique opportunity to see and compare the leading ERP systems based on a defined script, not a series of generic sales presentations, allowing for a true like-for-like comparison. The event will also provide opportunities to network and compare experiences with other organisations also planning to implement ERP.

The ERP HEADtoHEAD™ event is taking place on February 22nd-23rd, 2012, in the Carlton Hotel,DublinAirport where 9 leading ERP products will be pitted against each other over the two days. Products from Epicor, IFS, Infor Lawson, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, QAD, Sage, SAP and SYSPRO will be demonstrated.

This event will be facilitated by BSM – leading independent ERP consultants. BSM has managed over 100 ERP projects and will share project experiences and ERP selection and implementation knowledge during the event. For more information and to register, phone Linda Davey at 091-746900 or e-mail info@erpheadtohead.com or check out http://www.erpheadtohead.com for further information.

And if those 9 ERP providers aren’t here , here are some more EI Clients specialising in ERP solutions.

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Is your website failing to achieve your online business objectives? Have you noticed dwindling numbers of visitors? Is your site looking dated? Have new technologies become popular since you last upgraded your website?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time for a website makeover.

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Having online payment options on your company website can help you make the most of the 24/7 trading possibilities opened up by the internet. Make no mistake: within the Irish market alone there is both the interest and the capability to make e-commerce a profitable platform for your business, provided you go about it the right way.

Ireland had 3.1 million debit cards and 2.3 million credit cards in circulation in 2009, according to Irish Payment Services Organisation (IPSO), the representative industry body of the payments industry. The appetite for online purchases is thriving, and alternatives to credit cards are growing in popularity. Irish-based e-payment processor Realex Payments noted that in one month alone last year, it processed over EUR100 million in Laser card payments. (more…)

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EventElephant is an Irish online start-up that provides self-service online event registration software to event organisers. The company says it makes all types of event planning easy to organise online by offering a complete “set-up to sign up” registration process. CEO Eamon O’Brien describes the company as a “pure play” internet firm, meaning one that conducts its business solely on and through the web.

O’Brien also says the company is like “a Jack Russell nipping at Ticketmaster’s heels”. It was launched in 2008 and employs 12 staff – nine in Dublin and three in the UK. The SME’s event planning technology underpins events, conferences, sports events and festivals of all sizes in Ireland, the UK and further afield. The company has signed up 4,000 organisers to date, cites a compound growth rate of 15 percent month on month and anticipates selling 600,000 tickets for various events this year. Its client base includes the Irish Times, KPMG, Volvo and RTE. (more…)

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You may have seen this already in the National newspapers, but given that so many software and service companies are moving into ‘Recruitment mode’ the Job Expansion Fund (just launched by EI) may be of interest to you.

The fund provides support for the recruitment of new employees. The Job Expansion Fund is open to existing small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are:

• In manufacturing and/or high growth potential traded services (this includes Software companies)
• Have 10 or more full time employees at the time of application
• Have been trading for at least 2 years.

This is a competitive fund and there are calls for proposals on a monthly basis.  The frst closing date for applications  in 2011 is 30th June. You may be eligible to apply for fnancial support from Enterprise Ireland’s Job Expansion Fund if you are implementing a development plan with signifcant growth potential that will increase employment in your company.

For further detailed information, please contact Enterprise Ireland on (01) 727 2799 or check out the website at www.enterprise-ireland.com/jobexpansionfund

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Customer service, continuous development and a hunger for new business are the core values behind successful Irish online gift company WowWee.

The Ennis-based company was set up by Aine Gleeson in 2000, and her business sells everything from personalised gifts for christenings to dolls and Christmas presents. WowWee employs between two and six staff, depending on the time of year, and it sells its products to customers in Ireland, the UK and North America.

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The most important thing for SMEs to remember when it comes to online discount sites is that the deal being offered must be appealing to your target audience, says Siobhan Hanley, sales and marketing manager at Snapicity, a new Irish discount site.

SMEs should consider going beyond simple money-off discounts, says Hanley, and think about ways they can add a product or service to the deal to make it more attractive. Your online deals should be original – not simply online versions of existing offline deals.

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The number one pitfall when redesigning your website is failing to set a realistic goal of what you want to achieve. That’s according to Patrick Murphy, director of Irish-based web marketing specialists SiliconCloud.

Failing to define clear objectives for your redesign, whether that be increased traffic and/or sales, is the equivalent of buying a house off the plans, says Murphy: within a few years it almost invariably becomes apparent that changes need to be made.

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Most successful businesses evolve over time. Carlow-based Garrendenny Lane made the transition from interior design firm to online boutique store in just three years.

Owner Lorna Sixsmith set up the company in 2008 and she runs it from her home in Carlow. Originally, the company focused on providing interior design services, selling a range of boutique items on the side. However, the boutique side of the business proved more popular and, after the decline in the economy, Sixsmith decided to develop that side of Garrendenny Lane in more depth. The company now sells soft furnishings, wallpaper, gifts and other home-ware products online.

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Group purchasing and discount sites are all the rage among local businesses and their customers. According to recent research by consultancy firm BIA/Kelsey, the US market alone is set to grow from USD873 million in 2010 to USD3.93 billion in 2015.

Naturally, consumers worldwide are rushing to seize on great online deals being offered by SMEs, from restaurants to manicurists. For consumers, the idea is simple: sign up to receive digital coupons (sometimes with strings attached, but more on that later) and then enjoy discounts and savings when you spend money on a selected product or service. (more…)

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