PearlChain.net opens branch in Limburg
Berchem/Hasselt November 24, 2009. LRM and management are investing 1,500,000 Euros in the specialist software developer PearlChain.net from Berchem. The funds will be used to realize the growth plan of the ambitious SME. PearlChain.net will be opening an office in Limburg to capitalize on the opportunities the Limburg labor market has to offer and to meet the needs of current employees.
PearlChain.net is a specialist in the area of software and services. At the heart of PearlChain.net is the newly developed Pearlchain platform, with a complete suite of applications, from “offer to cash”, ERP, forecasting and planning to logistics. The Pearlchain Suite integrates business applications and aims to increase the efficiency of the entire supply chain.
Realtime supply chain
PearlChain.net was started in 2004 and develops custom-made solutions for an improved administration of the supplier-customer chain. Based on the expertise developed, a lot of work has gone into the Pearlchain platform - the Pearlchain Suite - over the past few years. This platform enables realtime communication between suppliers, the company itself and the customer.
The IT networks of these partners are linked to provide suppliers, their employees and customers access to the same data. PearlChain.net takes the cooperation between parties to a higher level and enables a more efficient administration of the logistics chain. This results in cost savings and a reduced need for working capital, a solution that is much sought-after in times of economic crisis.
The Pearlchain, GPS for higher customer satisfaction and higher productivity
The chain of pearls that the name PearlChain.net refers to is a metaphor for the production orders and the manner in which they are linked. Each product, each part of the final result, is in fact a sum of specific components and actions. All of the production orders depend on one another - they have a specific sequence.
Naturally, there is not one single chain, but thousands that need to be simultaneously monitored. This mass of pearls - dependencies and possibilities - is followed in realtime.
Actions can be simulated to check the consequences and estimate the effects. A problem with an order can mean a single pearl blocking the entire chain. The situation is continuously calculated to reduce this impact. Any problems or changes show up immediately and a different solution is offered straight away.
This is comparable to how GPS works. When you get into the car and type in your destination, the GPS tells you what time you will arrive and during the journey the GPS continuously calculates the time of arrival. This means you avoid any unexpected surprises. This also applies to any problems on the road, such as traffic jams or roadworks. A good GPS continuously calculates the best route according to your criteria.
Using the same approach, PearlChain.net presents a solution to the GRID problem.
At the moment, PearlChain.net mainly works in production environments. The effect on the need for working capital through improved supply chain management is greater here. However, the Pearlchain platform also demonstrates its potential in services and administration.
References include Santens, Nedcar, MAN Trucks, Hayes-Lemmerz, Océ and ECHO, recent laureate at Enterprise of the Year.
Limburg enables growth
The Pearlchain platform is a perfect foundation for supply chain optimization with preservation of the necessary flexibility. This is where PearlChain.net makes a clear difference and represents an interesting addition to larger ERP suppliers.
The Pearlchain Suite enables the faster delivery of projects. As a result, PearlChain.net itself has to evolve from a product developer into an organization for implementation and service provision. This requires a growth in human capital. Compared to other regions, the necessary labor market profiles are more easily found in Limburg. This is also the reason why PearlChain.net decided to open a branch in Houthalen. On the other hand, the Limburg employees, approximately one third of the 70 strong workforce, have long wanted to work in Limburg. Furthermore, Limburg is traditionally a region of SMEs and relatively speaking, more manufacturing companies. This translates into the commercial pipeline of PearlChain.net.
Oxygen for growth
PearlChain.net is an ambitious growing company and will be able to employ an extra 30 employees over a 3 year period.
To further build up the Pearlchain platform and to speed up the commercial roll-out, LRM is investing 1,000,000 Euros in PearlChain.net via their ARKIV subsidiary. The management is investing a further 500,000 Euros in extra capital.
The extra capital will provide PearlChain.net with the necessary oxygen for growth.
Stijn Bijnens, CEO LRM, stated: “We are very pleased to add PearlChain.net to our ICT portfolio. PearlChain.net is an ambitious, growing company with activities that fit in well with our existing portfolio companies and can potentially result in crosspollination”
Rudy Hageman, Chairman of PearlChain.net stated: “The aim is to offer companies a collaborative environment to serve customers correctly through an optimally operational implementation of integrated value chains, the GPS for grid management, resulting in increased customer satisfaction with less working capital. This is an ambitious objective, for which we have found the right partner in the LRM team.”
About PearlChain.net
PearlChain.net is a dynamic innovator, specializing in value chain software and services. Its focus is on software development and implementation. That is why it uses the latest technologies in the field of Java and .Net. The technological edge of PearlChain.net is not only reflected in its software but also in its people. Their experience and knowledge make it possible to bring every project to a successful conclusion. “Teamwork” is the key: communication between all of the parties involved is central to achieving such an integrated realtime value chain. www.pearlchain.net
About LRM
LRM is a profit-oriented investor. Via a unique combination of venture capital and real estate, LRM contributes towards the economic development and general employment in the province of Limburg - “Oxygen for growth”!
Every enterprise that develops activities in Limburg can contact LRM. From ambitious starters to expanding multinationals. We will not rule out any sector. Access to LRM runs via five domains: ICT & Media, Life Sciences, Cleantech & Energy, SMEs and Large Businesses.
www.lrm.be
Further info
PearlChain.net
Rudy Hageman
CEO
T +32 3 293 02 06
M +32 473 88 33 30
E rudy.hageman@pearlchain.net
LRM
Jeffrey Alenus
Director Sales & Marketing
T +32 11 24 68 19
M +32 475 93 03 61
E j.alenus@lrm.be