18th October 2011
UNIT4 Becomes a Member of the Cloud Industry Forum
– Global business software company becomes the latest organisation to endorse CIF and its Code of Practice-
UNIT4, a leading provider of business software for Businesses Living IN Change (BLINC), today announced it has joined the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF). UNIT4’s accreditation to CIF will provide its customers with additional reassurance that its cloud services meet the requirements of the Code of Practice implemented by the industry body.
UNIT4 has been at the forefront of cloud computing for many years. It became a majority investor in FinancialForce.com, the cloud applications company, in 2008 and more recently announced VITA Cloud Angel and Coda Cloud Rebel, cloud-based deployments of its flagship Agresso Business World ERP and Coda Financials software. The company’s newest offering, Shared Journey, is a cloud-based deployment option designed for organisations looking to set up a shared services operation that is quick to establish, easy to grow and responsive to change.
CIF requires members to demonstrate ethical and transparent delivery of hosted and cloud services. This means that commercial and public sector organisations, that are often under pressure to deliver flexible modern systems through cloud computing, can mitigate risk and make rational, informed decisions about the likely trading relationship they can expect with prospective vendors.
Anwen Robinson, Managing Director of UNIT4 Business Software Ltd commented: “CIF membership provides us with additional market credibility. UNIT4 has, for several hundred organisations, successfully installed multi-tenant cloud solutions and a growing number on hybrid, virtualised cloud computing models that are reaping substantial cost savings. Rapidly changing companies in particular are seeking technology options that meet their own unique business requirements. Prospective and existing clients can rest assured that UNIT4’s cloud offerings provide them with choice and flexibility to support their business. We are looking forward to working with CIF to help drive standards and best practice across the wider market.”
Andy Burton, chairman of the Cloud Industry Forum added: “From our first meeting with Anwen and the team at UNIT4 it was clear they had a conviction to provide the information and assurances customers need when moving IT services online. I am delighted that they will not only participate in the Code of Practice as a vendor, but will also work with CIF to promote best practice in the wider industry. It is an exciting time for UNIT4 to join CIF and make a valuable contribution by helping us promote transparency in the cloud sector and drive both market awareness and adoption.”
About UNIT4
UNIT4 is a global business software and services company aimed at helping dynamic public sector, and commercial services organisations to embrace change simply, quickly and cost effectively in a market sector it calls ‘Businesses Living IN Change’ (BLINC). The Group incorporates a number of the world’s leading change embracing software brands including Agresso Business World, our flagship ERP suite for mid-sized services intensive organisations and Coda, our best-of-class financial management software.
In the UK we focus strongly on the public sector, where we are the leading provider of ERP systems to local government and post 16 education organisations, as well as having a considerable presence in the emergency services and health sectors. We also focus strongly on professional services organisations and a range of commercial sectors including Financial Services, Retail and Media and Publishing. Overall we aim to be the UK’s foremost business software company, providing solutions that transform the delivery of public services and comprehensively support commercial organisations in their ability to adapt and prosper in rapidly changing environments.
With operations in 17 European countries, as well as 7 countries across North America, Asia Pacific and Africa and sales activities in several other countries, its revenue was €421.7 million in 2010. UNIT4 is headquartered in Sliedrecht, the Netherlands and has over 4,000 employees. It is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and is included in the Amsterdam Midcap Index (AMX).
For more information on UNIT4 or any of its operating companies, please visit the website at www.unit4.com, follow us on Twitter @UNIT4_UK
About the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF)
The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) was established in direct response to the evolving supply models for the delivery of software and IT services that has expanded well beyond the traditional on-premise method to one that now embraces hosted and/or, pay-as-you-use Cloud solutions.
CIF’s purpose is twofold: To drive a common and public level of transparency about the capability, substance and best practices of online Service Providers (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, Web hosting providers etc) through a process of self-certification to a Code of Practice. Second, this Code of Practice, and the use of the related Certification Mark on participant’s web sites, provides comfort and promotes trust to businesses and individuals wishing to leverage the commercial, financial and agile operations capabilities that the Cloud based and hosted solutions can offer. CIF is ensuring the integrity and governance of the self-certification process through regular random audits as well as investigating complaints from parties that challenge any specific participants self-certification status.
For more information please contact:
Georgina Heaume
Spreckley Partners Ltd.
T: 020 7388 9988
E: cif@spreckley.co.uk
