LiveRoute, a Dubai-based software leader, has launched a solution that will enable SMEs to bring automation cost effectively, quickly and without making any purchase of hardware or expensive software.

LiveRoute partnered with Atlantic Global, a UK based technology leader, in developing BusinessBook designed for businesses which require automation, but can’t afford the cost or complexity that comes with such solutions from traditional suppliers.

In addition, LiveRoute will be offering this solution based on latest trend of cloud based or SaaS (software as a focus) based delivery model, which makes BusinessBook as easy as Facebook and available from any place only through Internet access, hence saving tremendous cost while offering ease of use and 100 per cent availability, a statement said.

LiveRoute’s partnership comes as the organization seeks to capitalize on market demand for SaaS or Cloud based solutions, which are considered more cost effective and easier to administer than conventional installations, it added.

SaaS based solutions, with their browser based interface and subscription model, are available on demand, which means they can be utilized by small organizations and very large concerns alike.

LiveRoute’s launch of BusinessBook solution for Middle East businesses aims to help any kind of business which sells either services or products as its core business.

BusinessBook uniquely offers automation of the entire operational, sales, project management, resource management, billing, supplier management, document management, expense management and extensive reporting requirements of a typical business through its capability as a single and easy to use platform available through a Web browser.

“There is a clear need in the market for a true end-to-end solution that quickly automates a typical SME business, which is seeking simplicity, cost effectiveness, 100 per cent availability of a solution, and without any undue complexity which requires expensive customization, hardware and IT staff,” said Jawwad Rehman, managing director and partner, LiveRoute.

“On the other hand, available alternatives in the market are sold as products, they are expensive, difficult to adapt to what customer is looking for, and simply scare them off.”

“BusinessBook is really designed to address that void in the market, which will encourage many SME’s to go for automation as it is easy to use, easy to manage, easily adaptable to their unique way of doing business and extremely cost effective,” he explained.

“We are also offering a free of charge 15 days trial of BusinessBook system for our customers across GCC, through our website LiveRoute.net. Such easy trial facility will provide an opportunity for Small and Medium businesses to try the system before making any commitments of purchase," Rehman added.

According to Rehman, comparable benefits can only be obtained conventionally by buying three to four expensive systems and integrating them over a long implementation cycle.
But such complexity and overheads essentially defeat the purpose of automation and management for SMEs. High complexity deters user adoption, and large upfront costs make returns on investment questionable.

BusinessBook solution can, on the other hand, start delivering value in a matter of days, with little upfront cost with no changes to organizational IT systems.

Eugene Blain, CEO of Atlantic Global, said: “BusinessBook solution is clearly relevant for the local market; there is tremendous confusion when it comes to simple yet robustly integrated business automation management system.”

“Alternatives are either non-existent or far too complicated and expensive for small and medium sized enterprises. In many instances, organizations aren’t even sure how they can automate processes. A simple, available on demand solution like BusinessBook offers a cost-effective, easy to use solution that can be scaled as per customer requirements,” Blain concluded.

“As the technological advancement is rapidly changing the way business is conducted, at Al Mazroui Engineering we always look for latest technology and trends used by global players to enhance our operation,” said Nael Agha, executive director of Al Mazroui Engineering, which has decided to implement BusinessBook.

“Our decision to select BusinessBook was based on in-depth analysis, easy to use interface, and depth of the solution and finally, LiveRoute & Atlantic Global’s combined professionalism and technology expertise.”

Ghazi Atallah, chairman of LiveRoute, said: “BusinessBook is a unique suite of multiple solutions tightly integrated in an exceptionally easy to use and cost effective packaging to quickly automate the entire process of a typical local business.”

“All what BusinessBook offers is quite relevant for the Mena market, as a majority of companies in this region offer project based professional services as their core business (IT services, non-IT consultancy, contracting, real-estate development, oil & gas, financial services) or sell products. Alternatives have been either no automation, or costly and very cumbersome solutions, which presented risks and fears to businesses," Atallah added.

“We anticipate around 8-10k local small or medium companies could be a good target market for BusinessBook solution in the GCC, with a good majority of them in UAE.  There could also be 40-50 very large enterprises like Adnoc, Etisalat, or even their divisional arms, which would see the benefits of a system that is quick to market and easy to use,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service