UNIT4 delivers new financial software release aimed specifically at global retailers

UNIT4 (which includes the award-winning Agresso and CODA business software solution suites) has stated that it has released an important new version of its CODA Financials Solution geared specifically to mid- and large-sized retail companies although it offers new enhancements which will assist organizations in all markets, industries and sectors. Adding capabilities to the already much-heralded Version 11 product line delivered in 2008, the new software release is available immediately as a best-of-class financial management solution for global organizations.

With more than 2,800 customers and installations around the globe, the CODA Financials solution is known for its international capabilities, the rich integration offered by its LINK Architecture, which plugs and plays with all of the world’s leading enterprise solution providers and its real-time accounting strengths.  Leveraging the most advanced services-oriented architecture (SOA) capabilities, and providing a rich stream of cohesive, actionable data, CODA Financials enables companies to retain the value of their currently installed enterprise solutions, while gaining more advanced financial support capabilities.  The solution provides extensive interoperability value for companies in high-change environments that need to continually adjust technology infrastructure to support industry consolidation, geographical expansion or contraction, changing business models, etc.  

The newest 11.3 release is particularly relevant to the retail sector, which arguably has been the hardest hit vertical market during this recession.  Faced with a daunting combination of cash and credit constrictions not only for themselves, but for shoppers as well; rising energy prices for operating stores and shipping goods; commercial real estate leases or ownerships that have been poorly negotiated, etc.; retailers’ forecast little top line growth for the holiday shopping season and the year 2010 as well. This newest CODA Financials version 11.3 release is designed for strong impact to retailers’ bottom lines.  The CODA system is already installed at 25-30% of the U.K.’s top retail market, and is aggressively penetrating new markets.

A Product Built by Retailers with 3 Core Advantages

Retail Insiders within the UNIT4 customer base collaborated to build out a list of technology requirements they felt would best support their most urgent business requirements.  Specifically, the CODA management group used their inputs to create a “living roadmap” that was interactively managed between CODA product development team and the customer base.  This open development environment empowered retailers to both select desired features, but also to see the impact of time involved for each new feature added.  This natural, iterative selection allowed customers to select what they most needed within the timeframe they found most favorable.

Four key features headline the 11.3 release:

• Dual line level and quantity invoice matching – enabling orgnizations to record, track and report on bills via alternate input formats.
• Group level balancing – a key capability for extremely high volume invoice matching.
• Personalized customization capabilities – streamlines business processes by enabling business users to create screens, actions and activities that match the work that they need to get done, in the way they need to do it.  This is a direct result of CODA’s purpose-built workflow engine
• Elimination of additional procurement software – saving money and time thanks to the elimination of the need for an 'add-on' procurement system.

“CODA Financials has long been known for its powerful financial analysis and reporting capabilities, as well as its flexibility and deep integration capabilities,” said Ton Dobbe, Vice President of Product Marketing for UNIT4.  “What makes this release really special is that we’re further leveraging our deep vertical market experience and customer base to deliver a powerful solution to an industry that has really been through the wringer over the past year.”