ERP provider IFS has made two key announcements over the past week highlighting the company’s focus on the fast-growing Middle East region.
A Strategic Partnership
IFS is partnering with Saudi Business Machines (SBM) to extend its regional footprint through a significant investment. The partnership, announced in Riyadh on February 11, is expected to create opportunities for local talent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while enabling organizations from the country to utilize IFS’ advanced industrial AI technology, IFS.ai.
IFS sees tremendous opportunity in Saudi Arabia and is focused on delivering its industrial and enterprise cloud solutions to the country in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030.
“We are fully aligned with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, particularly in driving digital transformation and promoting innovation across all sectors,” said Fadhel Al-Shaikh, Vice President-Business Tech. Solutions at SBM. “Together, we will empower Saudi organizations to reach unprecedented levels of operational efficiency and excellence.”
The partnership aims to drive return on investment by utilizing SBM’s market experience in technology solutions and IFS’s industry depth and expertise in Industrial AI and enterprise software.
Moreover, under the agreement, SBM will expand its IFS practice into the Aerospace and Defense, Energy Utilities and resources, Manufacturing, Construction and Engineering, Telecommunications, and Service industries and offer an array of services to IFS customers, including business consulting and customized technical support offerings.
Commenting on the partnership, Simon Niesler, Chief Revenue Officer at IFS, said, “It is only fitting that we partner with the Kingdom’s leading technology solutions provider, Saudi Business Machines, to establish a dedicated Saudi-based IFS practice. This will enable us to leverage their local talent and strengths to accelerate growth in the region and gain a competitive edge.”
Providing Efficiencies for Aerospace
On February 10, TIM Aerospace, an independent aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), chose EmpowerMX from IFS to optimize its operations and increase efficiencies.
Under the agreement, the MRO, which specializes in widebody aircraft maintenance, will leverage the technology provided by Empower MX to enhance its operational efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and drive profitability.
According to Dinakara Nagalla, Head of EmpowerMX from IFS, partnering with TIM Aerospace represents an exciting opportunity for the company to continue to redefine paperless maintenance operations in the aviation sector. “Our AI-enhanced EmpowerMX from IFS solution is designed to enhance operational efficiency and drive innovation, ensuring that TIM Aerospace can deliver exceptional service and reliability from day one,” he said.
EmpowerMX from IFS is a premier asset and service management software solution designed for independent third-party MROs like TIM Aerospace. The rollout is scheduled for Q1 and Q2 of 2025. The solution will help TIM Aerospace transform its maintenance operations, reinforcing long-term business efficiency and sustainability.
“This partnership with EmpowerMX from IFS exemplifies our dedication to leveraging innovative tools that enhance service delivery and operational performance,” said Adam Voss, CEO of TIM Aerospace.
What This Means for ERP Insiders
IFS is doubling down on its “Industrial AI” strategy. ERP users can expect more AI-powered features tailored to specific industries like aerospace & defense, energy utilities & resources, manufacturing, construction & engineering, telecommunications, and service from IFS in the near term. The SBM partnership aims to leverage IFS.ai to drive digital transformation and innovation within these sectors, suggesting that future IFS developments will likely incorporate more AI capabilities designed for these verticals, especially in the Middle East.
MRO providers are modernizing with specialized solutions. The deal with TIM Aerospace demonstrates IFS’s focus on providing solutions for specific business needs. Moreover, IFS is developing (or acquiring, as in the case of EmpowerMX) and integrating specialized solutions into its broader ERP ecosystem to serve end users better. For ERP users in similar sectors, this signifies access to more specialized tools that can be tightly integrated with their core ERP, improving efficiency and performance. The rollout for TIM Aerospace is planned for Q1 and Q2 of 2025, showcasing the quick turnaround for such implementations.
Strategic partnerships drive expanded capabilities and reach. The partnerships IFS is forging, both with SBM and through the acquisition of solutions like EmpowerMX, demonstrate a strategy of expanding capabilities and market reach through collaboration. The SBM partnership expands IFS’s presence in Saudi Arabia and brings SBM’s expertise in business consulting and customized technical support to IFS customers. Similarly, integrating EmpowerMX allows IFS to offer a best-of-breed MRO solution seamlessly within its ERP ecosystem. Thus, IFS users can anticipate continued expansion of the platform’s capabilities in the near and long term.
