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#23

IFS is ranked #23 in the Metal Fabrication Software product directory based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub. Compare the leaders with our In-Depth Report.

IFS Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, IFS pricing starts at $8,000 (Monthly).

Price
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Starting From
$8,000
Pricing Model
Monthly
Free Trial
No

Training Resources

IFS is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for IFS:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

Product Information and Resellers

Product Information
Reseller - WIA Systems

IFS Benefits and Insights

Why use IFS?

Key differentiators & advantages of IFS

  • Accessibility: IFS solutions can be deployed through different avenues: SaaS, cloud service models, IFS Managed Cloud or on-premise. With cloud deployment, the program can be accessed at any time and any location as long as there is an internet connection available. 
  • Real-Time Data: The program includes real-time data and visualizations. For example, engineering changes, bottlenecks in the production system and any material shortages can be analyzed as they occur. Barcode scanning is also included to track the movement of products and materials throughout the supply chain. 
  • Revenue Boost: By identifying and reducing bottlenecks, forecasting demand and honing the sales process, revenue can be increased. IFS includes a range of features that can maximize revenue through elements such as reduction in spoilage and increased efficiency. 
  • Increase Productivity: IFS helps streamline and automate facets of workflows such as sales, manufacturing and distribution. By reducing the amount of time that employees spend on tasks such as supplier invoicing, which can be automated through this tool, more time is freed up for staff to work on other important tasks. 
  • Legal Compliance: This program helps to ensure company compliance with a range of industry or governmental standards and regulations. For example, IFS Human Capital Management can keep track of and manage employee health and safety measures in accordance with legal requirements. A dedicated maintenance tool is also available to help ensure that the company adheres to rules. 

Industry Expertise

IFS is well-suited for medium and large businesses and is available for deployment both on-site and through the cloud. It is especially beneficial to companies in the following sectors: aerospace, defense, energy, utilities, resources, engineering, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing and service.

IFS Reviews

Average customer reviews & user sentiment summary for IFS:

User satisfaction level icon: great

121 reviews

80%

of users would recommend this product

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of IFS reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

  • Intuitive interface: Users consistently praise IFS for its user-friendly design and easy-to-navigate interface, which reduces training time and improves adoption rates.
  • Flexibility and customization: The system's modular architecture allows for a high degree of customization, enabling businesses to tailor it to their unique processes and requirements without extensive coding.
  • Strong industry focus: IFS is particularly well-suited for industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, and energy, offering deep functionality and expertise in these areas.
  • Mobile accessibility: Users can access the system from any device, including smartphones and tablets, enabling them to stay connected and productive while on the go.
  • Robust project management: IFS provides comprehensive project management capabilities, from planning and scheduling to resource allocation and cost tracking, helping businesses deliver projects on time and within budget.

Cons

  • High upfront investment: IFS can require a significant initial investment for implementation and customization, potentially exceeding budgets for smaller businesses.
  • Steep learning curve: The system's complexity can lead to a steeper learning curve for users, requiring extensive training and support to achieve full proficiency.
  • Limited out-of-the-box functionality: While configurable, IFS may not offer pre-built features for specific industry needs, necessitating additional development or workarounds.
  • Integration complexities: Integrating IFS with existing systems can be challenging, requiring specialized expertise and potentially leading to data silos.
  • Performance bottlenecks: Large or complex implementations may experience performance issues, requiring careful optimization and infrastructure considerations.

Researcher's Summary:

User reviews for IFS paint a picture of a powerful and flexible ERP system, but one that demands investment and expertise. Fans praise its intuitive interface and industry-specific depth, especially in sectors like aerospace and manufacturing. "The power of IFS is amazing and overwhelming," one user gushes, noting its ability to handle 95% of their business processes. The modular architecture allows for significant customization, a major draw for many. "It can be tailored to fit almost any business environment," says another reviewer, contrasting it with the "rigid" feel of competing products like SAP.

However, IFS isn't for everyone. The initial investment and customization needs can be daunting, particularly for smaller companies. "The cost can be high," admits a user, comparing it to the "more affordable" options like Microsoft Dynamics 365. Additionally, the complexity can lead to a steep learning curve. "It's not as user-friendly as NetSuite," says another reviewer, highlighting the need for extensive training. Integration challenges and potential performance bottlenecks are also mentioned as drawbacks.

Ultimately, IFS seems best suited for companies with specific industry needs and the resources to invest in its extensive capabilities. "If you're looking for a deep dive into your industry, IFS is amazing," one user concludes. "But if you need something quick and easy, there are other options."

Key Features

  • IFS Financials: IFS includes basic accounting tools such as general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable and fixed assets. It also contains business planning functionality that uses customer-defined planning models to enable demand-driven planning. The eInvoice tool automates supplier invoicing and enables electronic invoicing. Consolidation can also be conducted across multiple companies and with multiple reporting currencies. 
  • IFS Human Capital Management: This system allows employees to manage their own data as well as perform tasks such as applying for leave and updating time and expense reports. HR personnel can also manage payroll procedures, maintain health and safety information in accordance with government regulations and develop internal training programs through the tool. Recruitment can be done through the program’s connectivity with third-party applicant tracking systems (ATS). 
  • IFS Engineering: This feature includes the ability for continuously updated data related to factors such as design elements, products and facilities to be accessed throughout an organization. Change management capabilities allow users to view, approve and check changes before going ahead with change orders. The commissioning tool also ensures that facility components are designed, tested, etc. in accordance with operational requirements through the use of punch lists and mechanical completion packages. 
  • IFS Projects: IFS includes project management, risk management, project reporting and project budgeting features. Specific functionality consists of the ability to process project cost transactions, create projects using WBS, develop project schedules and develop forecasts using multiple versions of project estimates, reviews, budgets, etc. Estimate to Complete (ETC) and Estimate at Complete (EAC) principles are supported and spreading rules are available. 
  • IFS Manufacturing: This tool can calculate capacity requirements, conduct Master Scheduling for finished goods, manage the production to order process and enable employees to report production information quickly. Project-based, discrete, repetitive and batch process manufacturing are also supported through the system. Visualization of the production plan is included and enables users to identify bottlenecks and material shortages. 
  • IFS Supply Chain: IFS offers demand forecasting, supply chain planning, inventory replenishment, sales order management, procurement, rental management, warehouse management and shipment management features. The inventory function is connected to the demand forecasting tool and includes different planning strategies such as economic order quantity and service level-driven safety stocks. Item traceability is also supported through barcode functionality, which provides real-time stock information. 
  • IFS Sales & Service: This feature controls the customer lifecycle from the time a lead comes in to the time that a product reaches its final destination. It assists with transportation by allowing users to visualize driving routes. It also supports service quote and contract management. Sales efforts can be streamlined through the sales configurator, which includes a product advisor that uses a series of questions to define requirements and recommend products. 
  • IFS Maintenance: IFS enables users to evaluate potential improvements in equipment performance, communicate with subcontractors through a collaboration portal, develop leaner MRO operations and manage preventive maintenance schedules. It also makes regulatory compliance for vehicle fleets easier and manages tasks such as fault reporting, preparation, execution and final reporting for maintenance-related matters. 
  • IFS Business Enablers: This solution includes role-based portals and personalized access to ensure that employees, customers and suppliers view the most relevant information and that no one has access to privileged information that they should not be able to review. The solution contains real-time data and allows for the connection of internal and external programs through web services. Add-ins and add-ons can be implemented to customize the solution through RESTful oData APIs from IFS. 


Limitations

IFS has its strengths and benefits, but it also has some limitations to consider. Many of these pitfalls have to do with the usability of the system. Here are some of the weaknesses to keep in mind about the program before making a final decision:

  •  Complex implementation process 
  •  The solution isn’t user-friendly 
  •  Doesn’t support automatic barcode scanning of inventory, so it has to be done manually 
  •  Users require rigorous training to learn the navigation process 


Suite Support

IFS offers platinum and gold support tiers that users can select from based on their company’s needs. These packages vary in factors such as scope and response time. Training opportunities are also available for this program.

mail_outlineEmail: Users can open support tickets online through the portal. There is also an online contact form on IFS’ “Contact Us” page where customers can ask for assistance.
phonePhone: Customers can call IFS with any questions they may have. Phone numbers vary by country, but companies in the United States can use the following number: 888-437-4968.
schoolTraining: IFS offers courses both online and in-person for users to learn more about the system. IFS Academy contains classes suited for consultants, developers and technicians. Users also have access to OpenIFS, which is an online community where customers, partners and IFS employees can connect and ask questions.
local_offerTickets: Gold and platinum support package holders can create and keep track of cases through the support portal at any time. Assistance for Severity 1 issues is available 24/7 through both packages.

Cost of Ownership

License/Subscription Cost On-premise:
  • Based on perpetual license-based model: license fee includes an upfront fee to own the software plus IP for a fixed term and implementation/installation, maintenance, system upkeep, customization and third-party integration
  • 10% to 15% is the typical rate of perpetual or renewal licensing for ERP systems
Cloud-based/SaaS:
  • Based on recurring subscription-based model: per user, per month
For both types of deployment, costs vary based on the number of named user licenses the organization requires, the level of access users require, the number of applications, the size and type of organization and the level of customization required
Maintenance Cost On-premise:
  • Cost is over and above the license fee
  • Requires ongoing maintenance plus ongoing upgrade support
  • Users have to enter into a maintenance agreement for annual support and maintenance, the cost of which is in the range of 10% to 20% of the original license fee
Cloud-based/SaaS:
  • Not included in the subscription cost
  • Additional cost for ongoing maintenance and upgrades
For both types of deployment:
  • Cost varies depending on the number of users
  • Upgrade fees are charged for new releases, which is essential for the ERP system to be fully functional
  • Additional cost if new additions to hardware and software are made to ensure that upgrades run seamlessly
  • Provides a wide range of support and maintenance services
  • Users can opt for varying levels of full or basic maintenance
  • Services are provided 24/7 from support centers located around the world
  • The IFS Maintenance and Support plan includes free access to new versions and product enhancements
  • Provides ongoing support for smooth adoption of the new ERP system and technology, plus global backup on demand
Installation/Implementation Cost For both types of deployment, the cost is over and above the upfront/subscription cost
  • Cost varies based on number of users, system architecture, implementation scope and complexity, company size, industry, additional applications, add-ons and third-party integrations
  • Third-party integrations involve a consultation cost
  • Includes human resources costs during the implementation phase, as users may need to spend additional time understanding the system and companies may need to add temporary workers to replace users working on the ERP project
  • Cost varies depending on who’s providing the implementation service: vendor, in-house or outsourced/third-party
  • Provides professional services for the implementation of its product through IFS Partners Network to medium and large enterprise customers
Customization Cost For both types of deployment, cost varies depending on the applications and modules added, such as self-service, recruitment, employee development and certification, training management and expense management
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost For both types of deployment, cost varies depending on which legacy system is used (older, proprietary system vs. disparate systems), amount of business and historical data to be migrated to the new ERP system and the intensity of data migration to the new system
  • Additional licenses can be purchased separately for the Database Management System of ERP
  • Cost of these licenses aren’t included in the implementation cost
Recurring/Renewal Costs For both types of deployment, the standard license renewal fees are 10% to 15% of the software cost


On-premise:
  • Annual recurring fees are paid over and above the upfront cost for annual renewal, upgrades, ongoing support and maintenance, customization, third-party integration and training
Cloud-based/SaaS:
  • Renewal cost is included in the subscription and is based on the number of users, add-on user licenses, ongoing support and maintenance, customization, third-party integration and training

Customers

  • Cheerpack Software Tools
  • Chief Industries Software Tools
  • CleaverBrooks Software Tools
  • Heaven Hill Software Tools
  • Hexagon Software Tools
  • Hexpol Software Tools
  • KLN Software Tools
  • Lou-Rich Software Tools
  • Valmost Software Tools
  • Vigor Industrial Software Tools

Value-Added Benefits

How WIA Systems adds value to IFS ERP

  • Customization: It offers software customization services to cater to evolving business needs.
  • Integration and Data Migration: Integration services improve operations quality and productivity. It offers data migration services to ensure the data remains intact throughout the process.
  • Training: Tailor-made training programs provide in-depth knowledge of the solution and boost employee productivity.
  • Staff Augmentation: It provides staff augmentation services to fill up client resource gaps throughout the project life cycle.

Industry Expertise

WIA Systems serves the aerospace and defense industry, telecommunication, energy utilities and resources, engineering, construction and infrastructure, service industries, manufacturing and oil and gas industries.

Support and Services

Advice: Talent acquisition and staff augmentation services.
Consulting: Project management, consultants with domain knowledge and product knowledge, quality management, support, general consulting.
Engineering: Applications customization, system integration services.
Implementation: Training programs, general implementation services.

Testimonials

I have recommended IFS Success to other IFS customers because IFS becomes a true partner in our success.

In general, as a company we started to get more globalized. With IFS, operations became connected, quickly bringing our people and our data together.

I don’t know that anything is more vital to our business than IFS. IFS is our system of record, contains all of our information and is the basis for making all of our decisions going forward.

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