FM Analysis

500+ users quite easily) and the fact that it is deployed across the web. This means we can have users in remote parts of the world and easily connect places, such as North America and South Africa. It is also multicompany; it can handle many corporate entities on the same platform, and can handle multiple legislations.

In conjunction with our mining partners, we have developed software that is specifically tailored to the needs of mining operations, such as tracking resources

underground,

tracking yields, manage assets above ground, and so on.

Q

Have you had any interesting cases

recently and were there any challenges involved?

Shawn: In one case, we’re working with a coal mining company with a presence both locally and in Eastern Europe. We are taking care of the implementation in Canada and have a partner in Europe who will be supporting the mining operations there.

regulated, so from our point of view we need to provide a solution that is IFRS or GAP compliant with each jurisdiction. We’d like more consistency across jurisdictions, which would be ideal.

Shawn Ostheimer – Founder & President of The Answer Company

Since 1994, Shawn has spearheaded the company’s growth to become the largest Sage provider in Western Canada by offering clients expertise and knowledge in all Sage product offerings.

The Answer Company really brings a local presence through our direct regional presence in Vancouver and Toronto, which are both mining headquarters for a majority of global mining companies.

The challenges are addressed through our approach to market. They can involve language; obviously we are dealing with users in Europe, where we might not necessarily speak the language, so we really need to be partnering with local people who are able to work directly with the users at the client’s site. That requires a lot of coordination and structured business processes to ensure that we have a consistent usage of the application across the various locales.

Q

If you could, what would you change about the mining or

software industry? Shawn: The mining industry is heavily

Q

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Jonathan: One of the things that’s different to our solution is that traditionally mining companies have looked to the more well-known large names in global software, but our solution allows smaller mines to access the same power as in those larger solutions but at a more affordable price level.

Shawn: Clearly, companies are expected to do more with less, and Sage ERP X3 becomes a very cost effective option for these companies to be able to deliver on that mandate. There is no sacrificing functionality or support if they use Sage ERP X3.

With a Masters in Business Administration and over sixteen years of implementing financial and management software systems, Shawn has contributed to every facet of improving clients' businesses. His experience includes business analysis, system design/analysis, training, implementation, data conversion, software installation, customer support and project management.

Taking an active role in the company’s operations, Shawn helps clients improve their businesses by working hard to determine software solution fit and establish substantial return on investment. His emphasis on making customer service a top priority has been directly responsible for the company's success and is a pillar of The Answer Company’s culture. Shawn's hard work and commitment to seeing projects completed properly and on time, translate into long-term relationships with clients that return to fulfil the needs of their organizations as they grow and change.

Jonathan Ross - Ontario Regional Manager & Solutions Manager

Jonathan joined The Answer Company in 2010, after 8 years of operating a Sage 100 Standard & 100 Advanced company in Toronto. Before that, for over a decade, he operated an Exact Macola reseller, becoming the largest international Macola VAR.

With 20-years' experience in supporting, training and selling mid-market ERP systems, Jonathan brings a significant amount of experience to The Answer Company.

Before working with ERP systems as a reseller, Jonathan was the Director of Finance for a well-known public payroll provider, held several Controller positions, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in London, England, spending a number of years as a public accountant in Canada and the UK.