Astra Takes FastAP for IFS on The Road to the Fall 2011 IFS User Group Meetings

Nov. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- Astra took FastAP for IFS^tm on the road to the Fall 2011 IFS User Group meetings in October and November.  Astra met many of the more than 175 people from 56 companies who attended the 4 meetings, where it presented demos of its AP automation solution to interested attendees.  IFS and Astra gave their first Webcast on FastAP for IFS^tm in late September, and have been working together closely since then to identify the IFS users in North America that could benefit most from automating their AP invoice processing with FastAP for IFS^tm.  Within the first 60 days after the Webcast, several companies using IFS have already confirmed Astra’s belief that its automation solution provides the right combination of features and price for the IFS market.  

Naren S. Velu, President and CEO of Astra, said, “We already have received 2 letters of intent to purchase FastAP for IFS^tm, and we are in advanced discussions with several other IFS users.  What we are seeing and hearing validates our decision to offer a product designed specifically for the IFS community, one that delivers high quality automation without expensive ‘bells and whistles.’  The net result is that companies processing 60,000, or even 20,000, invoices a year are deciding that the price is right.”  

Another key insight that Astra gained from the IFS User Group meetings is the confidence that the IFS community has in their ERP vendor, IFS.  Mr. Velu commented, “IFS users want the automated matching and workflow that the IFS Supplier Invoice Workflow module provides.  It is an organic part of the ERP system that they are already invested in.  That is why we chose the IFS module for FastAP for IFS^tm,"  

Astra's solution also includes the automated invoice data capture that the IFS module needs as its input source.  For that, Astra selected ReadSoft's INVOICES -- a global leader in the AP space.  Astra’s APConnect^{for IFS} is the third component of Astra's package, providing seamless data transfer.  "We offer the complete solution in a single package, and we implement it for our customer", said Mr. Velu.  "This is a unique value that we can provide as a Product and Services Partner of IFS."  

About IFS
IFS is a public company (OMX STO- IFS) founded in 1983 that develops, supplies, and implements IFS Applications™, a component-based extended ERP suite built on SOA technology.  IFS focuses on industries where any of four core processes are strategic: service & asset management, manufacturing, supply chain and projects.  The company has 2,000 customers and is present in more than 50 countries with 2,700 employees in total.  For more information about IFS, please visit: http://www.IFSWORLD.com

About Astra
Astra, Inc. was established in 2007 and is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with an offshore fulfillment center in Chennai, India.  Astra specializes in enabling companies to leverage the power of their enterprise application investments.   It provides packaged and custom consulting services related to all aspects of implementing and getting the best use of enterprise systems throughout their life cycle.  For more information about Astra, please visit: http://www.astra-us.com

For More information, Please Contact:

Naren S. Velu, President & CEO
Tel: (M) 520-971-2714
Email: naren@astra-us.com

George Hardy, Vice President – Director Software Marketing & Sales
Tel: (L) 323-522-5519 (M) 323-828-5054
Email: george@astra-us.com

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Astra helps companies move beyond the constraints of ineffective business process paradigms. We have the technology, experience and creativity to help you design and implement automated business process solutions that deliver significant financial benefits, ease of use and enhanced manageability.

Astra is a product and services partner of IFS. Astra provides implementation, upgrade and customized programming solutions to customers of IFS ERP. Astra is a Platinum partner of ReadSoft.