News from freeborders
FREEBORDERS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF QUAD PLM
Innovative Product Will Provide Easier, Faster, More Efficient PLM Solutions
May 1, 2007, San Francisco, CA – Freeborders PLM, a leading provider of PLM and technology solutions to the retail and apparel industries, today announced the release of Quad PLM, a web-based collaborative development solution. Quad and Quad PLM Express, designed for smaller companies, will be available early in the Third Quarter, this year.
“Freeborders Quad takes PLM to the next level,” says Debbie Baldini, Managing Director of Freeborders Retail Practice. “This exciting new software will enable our customers to deliver better on-time performance in a more efficient, easier manner.” As a testament to its superiority, Baldini says, about 75% of Freeborders’ current customers reported that they planned to upgrade to Quad.
The Quad PLM suite offers state-of the art, updated technology, including an easier configuration, multi-language capabilities, and an intuitive user interface. “Quad will shorten the design cycle, reduce the amount of physical samples needed, and bring product managers closer to their trend,” Baldini says. “Its multiple modules allow users to consolidate data and easily communicate with one another.”
Comprised of 11 modules, the Quad PLM suite offers pioneering solutions on planning, product design, pre-production, raw material management, sourcing and production and foundation. “It’s no coincidence that this product is named ‘Quad,’” says Baldini. “In addition to being the evolutionary -- and revolutionary -- fourth generation of the Freeborders PLM solution, Quad is the accessible meeting place for everyone involved in the PLM lifecycle.”
Quad PLM Express, which was also introduced today, offers a low barrier entry for small-to-medium-sized enterprises to springboard into the marketplace. The solution features a low-cost investment, quick implementation, and most importantly, the ability to grow with the company as the business grows.
“Freeborders is committed to providing our customers with the most efficient, ground breaking technology at competitive pricing,” Baldini says, “and we’re proud to introduce Quad as part of that commitment.”
Freeborders will be demonstrating Quad PLM at their booth (# 1200) at the Material World Show, May 8-10 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Visitors are welcome anytime, but appointments are encouraged. Please contact Robert D. Bangser, Senior Director of Business Development, at 203-803-1379 to schedule an appointment.
About Freeborders
Freeborders provides industry expertise to North American and European companies in financial services, technology, retail/consumer goods, manufacturing and transportation & logistics. Headquartered in San Francisco with offices on three continents, Freeborders has developed a track record of service delivery to the Fortune 1000 by combining world-class project management in both hemispheres with one of the largest technology centers in China. Freeborders is a leading provider of technology solutions and outsourcing from China.
Freeborders started in the retail-sector - and then expanded in other sectors - very important is now the financial sector, too. Take a look at the select client list:
Select Client List
Retail
Byer
Christopher and Banks
J.Crew
J.Jill
Kangol
Marc Jacobs
Peacocks
Saks
Sara Lee Courtaulds
Sundance Catalog
TAG
Target
Woolrich
Yakka
Software/Technology
BroadVision
CommerceQuest
Immigration Tracker
NextJump
Onyx Software
RichFX
Manufacturing
Ciba
DuPont
Invista
Owens-Illinois
VF Corporation
Financial Services
Citigroup
Credit Suisse First Boston
Fortis
Morgan Stanley
US Trust
An important step to expand in the finanical sector was the following buy from Internet Capital:
CHINA IT OUTSOURCING LEADER, FREEBORDERS, ACQUIRES ITK SOLUTIONS
Freeborders expands onshore team of financial services industry experts with acquisition of IT management consulting firm
SAN FRANCISCO, CA-February 8, 2006 -Freeborders, a leading provider of technology solutions and outsourcing from China, announced today the acquisition of ITK Solutions, an IT management consulting firm specializing in technology project delivery for financial services companies. ITK Solutions will expand Freeborders' onshore team of experts in the financial services industry, a key growth area for Freeborders.
Headquartered in New York City, ITK Solutions provides expert IT management in delivering technology solutions to financial institutions. The acquisition of ITK Solutions will also bring a top-tier client list of global banks, investment banks, and hedge funds to Freeborders.
"The ITK Solutions team brings an outstanding track record to Freeborders and we see the financial services market as a huge opportunity for China IT outsourcing leaders in 2006," said Freeborders co-CEO Ramsey Walker. "The quality of the ITK Solutions team is one of the main drivers of this deal. ITK management has many decades of experience with top-tier financial services firms."
According to a November 9, 2005 report by Gartner entitled "What Chinese IT Services Providers Must Do to Succeed In the Global Market", it states, "Many buyers of IT services have gone beyond cost as the main issue and are seeking other areas of value, such as unique domain expertise and experience in client's specific industries."
Additonal important for Freeborder was the entry of the following US-incubator, beside Internet Capital and asian investors, who are very important, too. Internet Capital owns 34% of Freeborders.
About FTVentures
FTVentures is a leading private equity firm in the business services and software sectors, investing in companies that offer meaningful solutions to the global financial services industry. FTVentures provides capital to growth companies to finance organic expansion, recapitalizations, build-ups and buyouts.
Capitalize on our Connections
We invest in companies that derive value from our unmatched Global Partner Network, which includes 37 of the world's leading financial institutions, and from our expertise in the financial services industry. Our Global Partner Network, representing the $7.5 trillion global financial services industry, provides us with a unique vantage point into the business driven IT and operating challenges of the global enterprise.
Collaboration is Key
Founded in 1998, we were the first private equity firm to concentrate on growth companies that focus on the financial services industry as a key target sector. FTVentures was established on the premise that a collaborative global financial services investor and partner network could produce profitable investment opportunities through enhanced market intelligence, investment ideas, deal flow, improved diligence and expanded customer relationships.