J.D. Edwards VARs Join Forces

The alliance, dubbed Vantage, includes Capita Technologies, King of Prussia, Pa.; Andrews Consulting Group, Cheshire, Conn.; Brandywine Computer Group, Mason, Ohio; CSS, Charleston, S.C.; and Profit Concepts International, Long Beach, Calif.

The idea behind Vantage was to create "a pool of highly qualified resources" that can rival the capabilities of large consulting firms, said Vukan Ruzic, president and CEO of Profit Concepts.

For example, if Profit Concepts needs an expert in the insurance industry, it could call on a Vantage member with a vertical practice for insurance.

Likewise, Profit Concepts' presence in the United Kingdom might be of use to a Vantage partner that lacks one, he said.

"We have a number of clients we are already working with [using the resources of some of the partner firms," Ruzic said.

Vantage members also could engage in joint sales calls with prospective customers, he added.

Chris Gloede, managing director of business development at Capita Technologies and a Vantage founder, said that in forming the group, he sought feedback from J.D. Edwards and its channel partners to identify the best J.D. Edwards integrators in the market. The effort produced a handful of firms.

The five solution provider partners then established a charter for Vantage, which mandates that each member have certified consultants and other personnel with significant expertise in J.D. Edwards products plus consulting practices that are complementary to J.D. Edwards products.

Altogether, the five Vantage members employ about 200 J.D. Edwards experts, executives said.

Vantage members said they're open to adding more J.D. Edwards solution providers to their ranks, as long as those firms meet the charter's criteria. However, Vantage members would "have to agree unanimously" before adding any more partners, Gloede said.

J.D. Edwards executives declined to comment on Vantage's formation or its objectives.