As a long-standing customer, EWS engaged the help of CPiO in finding an ERP solution that would best suit its business requirements. CPiO and EWS looked at the benefits of advancing to a Sage Line 500 system on a relational database. As well as keeping EWS in line with its parent group policy, Sage Line 500 offered the stability the company needed coupled with a higher level of functionality, whilst maintaining the high levels of support EWS had come to expect from Sage and CPiO.

A SUSE Linux platform was selected and an IBM server installed to support the whole system, thus taking advantage of the company's existing UNIX skills, avoiding re-training of the workforce and making it a highly reliable option for EWS business needs.

The Sage solution efficiently handles end to end order taking and fulfilment. The Sage and IBM Informix solutions, when running side by side, create an open database connectivity (ODBC) driver and incorporating Cognos Business Intelligence software meaning EWS can now also source ERP reporting for management. The new Sage Line 500 system together with the IBM infrastructure is proving to be a success. The customer service department is now much more proactive as Sage Line 500 directly integrates with other systems making it easier to access, maintain and report on company wide information as well as having lower running costs. The front end boasts a contemporary graphical user interface through a windows based product, making it easier for users to operate and navigate.