IBS Software

Infobox Company
company_name = IBS Software Services
company_type = Private Ltd
company_
company_slogan = Inventing Future
foundation = 1997
location = flagicon|India Trivandrum, Technopark, Kerala, India
key_people = V. K. Mathews, Chairman, MD and CEO
industry = Software services
services = Information technology services and solutions
num_employees = 2000 (As on December 31st, 2007)
homepage = [http://www.ibsplc.com/ www.ibsplc.com]

IBS Software is a products-focused company that creates business solutions (products and services) in airline passenger servicescite web |title = IBS eyes Indian aviation industry for growth | publisher = Business Standard | date = 2008-03-07 | url = http://business-standard.com/common/storypage_c.php?leftnm=10&autono=314455] , airline and airport operations, airline cargo and logistics, oil and gas logistics, travel and cruise management and ocean transportation. IBS operates out of thirteen business centers in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

Product focus

IBS is one of the few information technology (IT) product companies in India, and a leading one in the world serving the travel, transportation and logistics (TTL) industry. IT product companies are different from IT services companies. Product companies are at the higher end of the value chain, where they are the architects, designers and builders of future products, which should address customers' needs 10–20 years ahead. Product companies have higher risks, and accordingly, higher returns if successful. For IBS, all 17 of its products in its six lines of business have been fully accepted by the industry.

IBS has invested over 4500 man-years in developing its products, which can be equated to US$750 million.

Contribution to the TTL industry

IBS has contributed much to the industry it serves, for instance:

* IBS has given airlines a viable migration option from decades-old legacy platforms by providing next generation technology platform to support the core process areas - be it passenger services, cargo services, flight operations or destination and leisure managementcite web |title = An Arrival & A Departure | publisher = ATW | date = 2008-01-07 | url = http://www.atwonline.com/channels/informationTechnology/article.html?articleID=2181] .

* IBS is a one-stop shop for new-generation airline cargo managementcite web |title = iCargo, the next-generation airline cargo management systems | publisher = CIOL | date = 2008-03-20 | url = http://ciol.com/EC/Interviews/iCargo,-the-next-generation-airline-cargo-management-systems/20308104624/0/] systems. IBS offers a modular set of Cargo Management Solutions that addresses all the cargo business requirements of all types of airlines - small, medium, large combination carriers, all-cargo carriers, ground handling agents and freight forwarders, integrating the cargo/freight chain from shipper to consigneecite web |title = Nippon Cargo to implement iCargo software | publisher = Business Line | date = 2006-04-19 | url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/04/19/stories/2006041903050800.htm] .

* IBS pioneered the concept of collaborating with end-users to form a Core group of Influencecite press release |title = Three Leading Airlines Join IBS' Next Generation Cargo Initiative | publisher = PR9.net | date = 2005-08-25 | url = http://www.pr9.net/comp/development/2375august.html] cite web |title = Australian air Express to join IBS iCargo initiative | publisher = The Hindu | date = 2006-07-28 | url = http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/28/stories/2006072821190200.htm] to ensure comprehensive functionality and validate the use of industry best practices in its products.

* Another example is IBS’ iLogisticscite web |title = IBS makes a sales pitch to lure Indian oil cos to iLogistics | publisher = Business Line | date = 2005-11-29 | url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/29/stories/2005112901690700.htm] , a global logistics management system that is currently under implementation with two Oil & Gas majorscite web |title = Technopark company inks deal with Shell International | publisher = icfdc.com | date = 2005-11-26 | url = http://www.icfdc.com/html/newsarchives/economy/icfdc_Economy_20051126_a.html] in the Fortune 10 category. iLogistics replaces close to a hundred other systems/methods earlier in use with the first client. The second client has started using the iLogistics process as a reference for introducing best practices for operational & process efficiency.

Clientele

A customer list of 100+ includes some of the biggest names in the TTL domain, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Jet Airways, South African Airways, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Vail Resorts Inc., BAA(London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports), Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Star Cruises, Orbitz Worldwide, LeisureLink, e-bookers, Alaska Air Vacations, Allegiant Air, Booking.com, Certified Vacations, Costco Travel, Elite Island Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, GenaRes, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, IntraWest, Liberty GoGo Travel, Travel Impressions, Travelocity, TravelWorm, US Airways Vacations, Vegas.com,Harrah's Entertaintment, Macao Dragon Ferry, China Southern Airlines.

Recent achievements

* IBS has received the ‘Emerging Cargo IT Systems Provider of the Year’ award at Air Cargo India 2008cite press release |title = IBS wins 'Cargo IT Systems Provider of the Year' Award | publisher = India PRwire | date = 2008-02-01 | url = http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/information-technology/200802017080.htm] cite web |title = Kerala IT firm wins aviation award for its product | publisher = Yahoo India News | date = 2008-01-30 | url = http://in.news.yahoo.com/indiaabroad/20080130/r_t_ians_tc_software/ttc-kerala-it-firm-wins-aviation-award-f-0a92fdb.html]

* Recently, General Atlantic LLC invested 60 million USD in the company, one of the major PE investments going into an Indian IT products company.cite web |title = General Atlantic picks up stake in IBS | publisher = The Hindu | date = 2007-07-26 | url = http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/26/stories/2007072660691900.htm] cite web |title = After General Atlantic deal, IBS scouts for MRO buys | publisher = The Financial Express | date = 2007-08-02 | url = http://www.financialexpress.com/news/After-General-Atlantic-deal-IBS-scouts-for-MRO-buys/208106/] cite web |title = General Atlantic to put in US$ 60 million in IBS | publisher = IBEF | date = 2007-07-26 | url = http://www.ibef.org/artdisplay.aspx?cat_id=743&art_id=16249&arc=show]

* IBS has been rated as one of the top 8 IT to watch, in India by Red Herring Inc., based out of California.cite web |title = Eight Indian Startups to Watch | publisher = Red Herring | date = 2006-06-05 | url = http://www.ascendus.com/RED_HERRING_Watch.htm]

Timeline

;1997:
*Commences operations from Technopark, Kerala, Trivandrum.
*Starts operations in Europe.

;1998:
*Lands the first large project from Atraxis AG, for creating a rostering system for airports
*Starts business operations in the Middle East
*Initiates the re-engineering project on Crew Training Management system of Swissair

;1999:
*Wins first contract from Mercator for Travel Documentation Valuation System. Beginning of a long-term relationship
*Sets up new office premises and additional infrastructure facilities in Technopark, Trivandrum
*Sets up Center of Excellence for technology research and consulting

;2000:
*Enters into Joint Venture partnership with Atraxis
*Becomes an ISO 9001 certified company
*Wins Millennium Award for Largest Successful Project from Mercator
*Awarded major contract for TPF maintenance
*Wins award for Best Exporter of Kerala for the Year
*Starts operations in the USA

;2001:
*Released the axsResource suite, the largest airport resource management software
*Launched IBS’ first product Proficient, the enterprise-wide project management tool
*Lands the biggest contract from Mercator for a Cargo Operations Management Systems
*Forms alliances with Oracle Corporation, Sun Microsystems and BEA Systems
*Wins award for Best Exhibitor of Concept in IT 2000 Trade Fair, Kerala
*Retains Best Exporter of the Year award
*Starts operations in Australia
*V K Mathews, CEO, selected as one of the 10 Millennium Leaders of Kerala
*First project with SITA

;2002:
*Acquired TopAir, a versatile and fully integrated flight management solution
*Opens IBS Technologies, a branch office in Zurich
*Extends operations to Travel, Transportation and Logistics sectors of oil industries
*Wins major contract for logistics with a Shell group company
*Sets up 24x7 Customer Support Center (CSC)
*Expands the products portfolio to include iPort and iTrak
*Successfully assessed against SEI CMM Level 5
*Initiates iRes - the new-generation PSS for airlines

;2003:
*Re-certified against ISO 9001:2000 with TickIT
*Implemented the port management solution, iPort, at Sharjah Port
*Developed Assorted Marine solutions for Shell
*Qatar Airways, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, joins the IBS client list
*Delivered one of our largest projects, Chameleon, the cargo terminal operations system, for Emirates
*Acquired Avient Solutions (now IBS) from Honeywell
*Created Center of Excellence for Flight Operations at Avient Solutions
*Initiated the development of iCargo - the new-generation airlines cargo system

;2004:
*Launched the SmartCargo product
*Chameleon implementation for Emirates & DNATA
*Launched the Global Logistics Management System as a major line of business
*Signs up with Emirates for Crew Tracking System
*Strategic partnership with Cendant Corporation for developing iRes the futuristic passenger services system for airlines.
*Signs up with Cathay Pacific for Crew Tracking System

;2005:
*Organizational restructuring to include Product Sales (LoB) function
*ItAli signs up as tenth European customer for TopAir
*Signs contract with BAA for delivery of enhanced version of IDAHO for Terminal 5 at Heathrow
*Acquired 5.25 acres of land inside Technopark, for building own self-sufficient campus
*Signs up with First Choice Airways as launch customer for LINX
*Starts operations from second development center at Infopark, Cochin
*Three leading airlines join IBS to form a Core Group of Influence, for development of iCargo, IBS' new-generation cargo product
*iRes renamed as aiRES
*IBS opens its sixth development center in Cochin
*Shell International Exploration& Production (SIEP) to implement IBS' solution iLogistics world-wide
*Avient Solutions (now IBS) becomes headquarters of IBS Europe operations

;2006:
*IBS assessed against SEI PCMM Level 5
*IBS opens new office at Tokyo
*VISaer, Inc., a leader in aviation maintenance and engineering software solutions signs additional agreements with IBS Americas for providing offshore software development services
*Air New Zealand successfully implements iFly -IBS' new-generation Staff Travel Solution
*Avient Solutions (now IBS Software Services) signs an agreement with RAK Airways for TopAir, a flight operations system
*IBS joins IBM’s ISV advantage for industries initiative, a program designed to provide independent solution vendors (ISVs) with technical and marketing support to help meet the specific needs of travel and transportation companies
*Australian air Express joins the iCargo Core Group of Influence
*IBS announces the successful implementation of iFly at South African Airways cite press release | title = `iFly' to quicken customisation
publisher = The Hindu | date = 2006-06-07 | url = http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/07/stories/2006060710930500.htm ]
*Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), Japan's only cargo-specialist airline, signs an agreement becoming the launch customer for iCargo - IBS’ Next Generation Air Cargo and Logistics Management System
*IBS acquires Discovery Travel Systems, L.P. (DTS), based in Washington DC, USA. DTS is a provider of business application software products and services to the tour, cruise and travel industry worldwide. This move marks IBS’ entry into the leisure travel and tour industry
*IBS' SmartCargo wins two Cargo Airlines in North America, viz, CargoJet and Northern Air Cargo
*Hotel Booking Solutions Incorporated (HBSI) forges alliance with IBS for Demand Management Systems in the Hospitality Business
*IBS announces its plans to take up floor space of 32,000 square feet at the Leela Infopark, at the Infopark Campus at Kochi, India
*IBS wins Best Exhibitor award at IT Kerala 2006, a premier IT event organized jointly by the Government of Kerala, and the Kerala State IT Mission

*Awarded Best Performing IT company from Kerala as IT Excellence Awards 2005
*The IBS Campus Foundation Function at Technopark, Trivandrum, is formally inaugurated by the honorable Chief Minister of Kerala, V S Achuthanandan.

;2007:
*IBS Software Completes 10 Years.
*General Atlantic LLC invests USD $60 million in IBS for a minority stake.
*Vail Resorts Inc., USA, signs up for IBS’ Tour Partner, for their central reservations system.
*IBS obtains ISO 27001:2005 certification.
*RAK Airways signs up for aiRES, IBS’ new generation Passenger Services System.
*Iberia signs up for Avient Fleet, IBS’ airline fleet management system.

;2008:
*IBS signs deal with Maldives Ports Authority
*Implements iLogistics (Global Logistics Management System) at British Petroleum (BP).
*Air New Zealand signs up for IBS' iCargo
*IBS receives ‘Emerging Cargo IT Systems Provider of the Year’ award at Air Cargo India 2008
*Opens 12th global center at Brigade Tech Park Bangalore.
*Avient Crew goes live at Jet Airways. [cite press release |title=IBS expands in India, signs deal with Jet Airways |publisher=ACEXC |date = 2008-02-21 |url=http://www.acexc.com/newsdet.php?nid=588] cite press release | title = IBS Software signs deal with Jet Airways
publisher = The Economic Times | date = 2008-02-20 | url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Software/IBS_Software_signs_deal_with_Jet_Airways/articleshow/2798181.cms ] cite press release | title = IBS expands in India, signs deal with Jet Airways
publisher = Moneycontrol | date = 2008-02-21 | url = http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressnews/ibs-expandsindia-signs-dealjet-airways/19/00/327316 ] cite press release | title = IBS expands in India, signs deal with Jet Airways
publisher = indiainfo.com | date = 2008-02-21 | url = http://finance.indiainfo.com/2008/02/20/0802201636_ibs.html ] cite press release | title = Jet Airways-IBS deal for crew management
publisher = webindia123.com | date = 2008-02-21 | url = http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20080221/891955.html ] cite press release | title = IBS Software signs deal with Jet Airways
publisher = indiatimes | date = 2008-02-20 | url = http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Tech_News/News/Software/IBS_Software_signs_deal_with_Jet_Airways/articleshow/2798181.cms ] cite press release | title = IBS expands in India, signs deal with Jet Airways
publisher = The Wall Street Journal | date = 2008-02-20 | url = http://www.livemint.com/2008/02/20150402/IBS-expands-in-India-signs-de.html ] cite press release | title = Jet Airways to get unique IT software to manage crew better
publisher = New Indian Express | date = 2008-02-21 | url = http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE120080220222138&Page=1&Title=Bangalore&Topic=0& ]
*iCargo, the next generation cargo management system built by IBS went live at NCA, Japan on April 7th, 2008, thus marking the beginning of a new era of advanced cargo management systems.
*IBS sets up office at Toronto, Canada.
*IBS acquires US-based HBSi, a leading provider of IT solutions to the hospitality industry.
*IBS acquires US-based VISaer
*IBS becomes Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
*Tokyo International Airport to operate on IBS' Cargo Management Solution

References

External links

* [http://www.ibsplc.com/ IBS Software Services official website]
* [http://www.cxotoday.com/India/Interview/IT_is_Crucial_for_Human_Existence_Today/551-83854-906.html IT is Crucial for Human Existence Today]