Waldmann Press Release

PORTOLAN brightens up IT environment at Waldmann Group

The professional provider of lighting concepts decides to implement the accounting suite EVM at all sites

Ilsfeld, September 2008.The accounting software provider PORTOLAN Commerce Solutions GmbH (situated in Ilsfeld) has acquired another internationally operating client. The Herbert Waldmann GmbH & Co.KG is one of the world's leading manufacturers of lighting concepts with headquarters in Villingen-Schwenningen. For the time being, Waldmann's German and Dutch headquarters will implement the accounting suite EVM that consists of applications in the area of Financial and Asset Accounting as well as Cost Accounting. Next year, the other subsidiaries in Austria, in Switzerland, France, Italy, Sweden, Great Britain, in the USA and in Singapore will be part of the roll-out process.

"Our previous solutons for Financial Accounting, Fixed Asset and Cost Accounting were from different software providers and not up-to-date" says Harald Olschewski, Head of Organization at Waldmann and explains why Waldmann changed its financial software. "With our numerous subsidiaries in mind, we were looking for financial software that could be implemented at all sites and which used an IBM System i platform as part of Waldmann's strategic concept."

Soon after they started searching, they realized that their requirements were totally met by the solutions of PORTOLAN, which provides 19 language and 27 country-specific versions as part of the standard. "EVM provides integrated accounting solutions, where many functions and analyses are realized in standard already. Its clearly structured user interface provides fast and easy handling of the application. The high level of integration compared to our self-developed ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software and the fact of using IBM System i environments were all reasons in favor of using PORTOLAN solutions", Olschewski continues.

Successful start of the project
The project started early in September with the installation of the software. Harald Olschewski is glad: "Our expectations concerning short-term and quick implementation processes seem to be justified, also due to the expertise of PORTOLAN's project staff. As far as we can see, we are currently making quick progress." If everything goes well, Waldmann Gemany will start working with the productive system on November 1 st, 2008. After that, software installations will take place at all other subsidiaries.

Additional information about WALDMANN
he Waldmann Group is one of the worldwide leading manufacturers of lighting concepts with an export share of approximately 50 % of its sales. Established in 1928, Waldmann nowadays employs about 800 employees around the globe. Waldmann's product portfolio includes lighting concepts for work places of all industries and in all application areas. The Group's product range encompasses intelligent office standard lamps with the latest PULSE technology and lighting concepts for the medical or industrial sector. Please visit www.waldmann.com for more information.

Additional information about PORTOLAN
Since 1990, PORTOLAN Commerce Solutions GmbH (situated in Ilsfeld) has been one of the leading providers of business management solutions. The core product is PORTOLAN EVM, a modular software suite to be used on the IBM Power Systems for medium-sized enterprises with national and international subsidiaries. This suite has been designed for international accounting and includes Financial Accounting, Fixed Asset Management, group consolidation and controlling.19 language and 28 country-specific versions are available. In addition, the portfolio includes the ERP overall solution trendEVM for following industries: engineering, chemicals and cosmetics, paint and varnish, food and beverages, the printing industry, producers of plastics, technical wholesalers, the electronics industry, foundries and the automotive industry. As a software house, PORTOLAN Commerce Solutions additionally offers the On-Demand solution SAP Business ByDesign. With a staff of currently about 70 employees, the company takes care of its customers in more than 50 countries. More information can be found on the homepage www.PortolanCS.com.