New grouping brings software resources together

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 31, 2004

Licom Systems, Radan Computational and Huckerby Royall Systems have been brought together with the formation of Planit Solutions, the engineering software division of Planit Holdings.

Licom Systems, Radan Computational and Huckerby Royall Systems, three of the best known names in CAD/CAM and business management systems, have been brought together with the formation of Planit Solutions, the engineering software division of Planit Holdings.

Through the new move, each company will continue to operate autonomously, while gaining the benefits of shared group information, development resources and ideas.

This, in turn, will enable group members to offer a one-stop shop facility for customers looking to achieve competitive advantage through seamless utilisation of common data at every stage of their design-to-manufacturing processes.

"Formation of this new division represents the best of both worlds for member companies and their customers alike", says Ian Scott, newly appointed Managing Director of Planit Solutions.

"Each subsidiary will continue to capitalise on its core strengths, yet also share the advantages of co-ordinated and complementary development programs.

For example, Radan's expertise in the development of CAD/CAM systems for the sheet metalworking sector is matched by Licom's AlphaCAM software for the metal cutting and wood working sectors.

"Both companies' skill sets are entirely complementary.

However, their activities overlap in certain areas; such as in user interfaces and 3D modelling.

We anticipate that the streamlining of our operations under the umbrella of Planit Solutions will enable us to accelerate product development, while significantly reduce our overall costs".

"Users will benefit from increased commonality across our software range", adds Scott.

"This convergence will ensure enhanced 'future-proofing' of our products.

More importantly, it will open the way for users of Radan and Licom advanced CAD/CAM systems to harness the power of Huckerby Royall's business solutions within an integrated suite of products; enabling them to manage lead times more effectively, increase their margins and reduce working capital".

"Customers will be able to see the benefits for themselves through our presence at the forthcoming MACH 2004 show in April", he continues.

"Licom, Radan and Huckerby Royall will all be exhibiting independently, with their latest developments on display on stands 5566, 3375 and 5564, respectively".

By building on the foundation each member company has developed with its user base, Planit expects the formation of its new organisation to deliver further customer benefits.

With more than 100 employees at regional headquarters throughout the UK - in Coventry, Bath, Woking, Leicester, Manchester and Sterling - Planit Solutions has an established infrastructure to back the quality of its software solutions with the highest levels of customer support.

In parallel, Planit Solutions' numerous worldwide operations include five offices in the USA.

"This gives us a strong presence in a very important market, as well as a springboard for further expansion of our export sales", says Scott.

"We are already working on a number of major opportunities, which we confidently expect to convert into major new contracts during the coming months".