FeatureInfor, the industry cloud company, specializes in industry-specific cloud software solutions to help industrial manufacturing and distribution customers in the Middle East automate and simplify complex systems and prepare for the future.
Infor’s smart, pre-configured cloud solutions, feature built in industry functionality to enable customers to simplify complexity, transform business processes, accelerate time to value, and put their end users at the centre of the experience.
Infor’s software is helping to drive this type of holistic innovation in industrial manufacturing and distribution by connecting organisations to their customers, supply chain network, plant and equipment, which enables employees to drive predictable revenues.
Moving to the cloud is one of Infor’s vital moves, which sets the next phase in the revolution of Infor
By embracing powerful cloud-based software and a culture of continuous innovation, organisations can turn many of their current challenges into advantages, bringing simplicity where there was complexity, gathering and using data to maximum effect, and enhancing their ability to work in tandem with suppliers and partners.
Infor’s solutions are pre-configured with built in industry-specific functionality, to enable customers to reduce complexity, transform business processes, and accelerate time to value. Infor built these specific configurations from the ground up so organisations get a solution fully configured for their sector from day one. It makes a vast difference compared to generic, out-of-the box ERP solutions.
Infor is the only company in its peer group to provide a true multi-tenant SaaS solution. Infor teamed up with AWS as its sole hyperscaler a decade ago and all its applications are in the multi-tenant cloud and seamlessly integrated with each other.
Infor works with a number of strategic partners in the Middle East who help to market and implement Infor solutions. In the next 18 months Infor plans to expand its channel partnerships in key markets including the GCC, Turkey, South Africa, and Egypt.
Current partners include SNS, which recently implemented projects including Infor WMS for Mooneh, a third-party logistics storage and distribution provider operating on behalf of leading international pharmaceutical corporates.
CTO Soma Somasundaram refers to this as next step of innovation for industries and micro-verticals
In March, Galva Coat Industries, a landmark plant in the industrial area of Abu Dhabi that produces a wide range of steel products, selected Infor CloudSuite Industrial, to enable the digitalisation of the production process and delivery. ITWare worked closely with the Infor team during the entire presales cycle and is leading the implementation efforts.
ITWare is also leading on a deployment of Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise for Geminite Cement Industries, one of the Middle East’s leading players in building materials production and distribution.
Moving to the cloud is one of Infor’s vital moves, which sets the next phase in the revolution of Infor. The company has also invested significant resources in research and development to build and deliver business processes out-of-the-box, a move to which Soma Somasundaram, Infor Chief Technology Officer, refers as the next step of innovation for industries and micro-verticals.
Another key differentiator for Infor is its next-generation cloud operating platform, which acts as the foundation for its solutions and transformational initiatives—Infor OS. The platform gives customers more than just flexibility. It is a toolbox packed full of in-context content, analytics, a connector, a homepage, an AI model, and more, ready at Infor’s fingertips, enabling businesses to react quickly to changes and establish a competitive advantage.
Recent projects include Mooneh, which implemented Infor WMS,
Geminite Cement Industries LLC, the first Fibre Cement Boards production plant in the UAE; Abudawood Logistics, the KSA-based subsidiary of Abudawood Group and the exclusive distributor for Proctor and Gamble, Ferrero, Quaker Oats; and Supertech Group, the UAE-based supplier of industrial products and services.
Infor also works with other major customers including Al-Jazira Equipment Co. Ltd. AutoWorld, Zahid Tractor, Asry Shipyard, Metito, SACO, and Al Malki Group.
TOP EXECUTIVE
As VP and GM of Infor Middle East and Africa, Kerry Koutsikos is responsible for leading Infor’s growth and development across the MEA region, including developing and executing the strategy, and building and developing the team.
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Kerry Koutsikos is accomplished at building and developing businesses from start-up and growth stage to maturity, transition and succession, with a career spanning more than 30 years across the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Prior to joining Infor in June 2022 Koutsikos held senior executive roles at companies including Alteryx, Automation Anywhere, and Qlik.
Since joining Infor in June, Koutsikos has wasted no time in assessing the MEA business for strengths and areas for improvement and developing a strategy to propel the business to greater heights. Koutsikos recognised the need to position Infor as a boutique software solution provider targeting industrial manufacturing and distribution, develop new channel partnerships, and focus on value proposition.
Kerry Koutsikos is an entrepreneur who enjoys taking on new challenges, particularly business transformation and turnaround. With a degree in business computing and a Masters’ degree in international business, Koutsikos takes an analytical, data-driven approach to developing business strategies. As such, Koutsikos considers any future assignment that draws on this expertise to be a dream role.
Koutsikos recognizes Richard Branson as a very important role model. Koutsikos said that creating a company such as Virgin and taking it into global markets is not just about expanding a business but creating a lifestyle brand that transcends sectors, catering to retail, media, travel and more. Richard Branson proved that you can be successful and continue to enjoy what you do, while at the same time demonstrating that people who love what they do will be successful.
Outside of work, Koutsikos likes to spend time with his wife and daughter pursuing activities such as boating, jet skiing and travelling, including visiting historical sites. He also likes to support his wife’s passion for working to support charitable foundations.
