Auto Express, a relatively new business based in Gabarone, Botswana are distributors of automotive parts. In selecting an ERP system, the Auto Express directors were looking for an experienced partner that they could rely on and work with directly, as well as a product with a track record of supporting automotive parts distributors.

Discussing their decision to choose K8 to support their new business, Mitul Patel, Auto Express Director said: "I was looking for a direct sales and support model and we did not want the implementation allocated to a partner. Our previous system had 3rd party custom developed software for key modules like POS, Stock Management and Financial Reporting. We opted to go for KCS based on their success with Motovac, EuroCar Parts (UK) and the largest Hardware trading businesses here in Botswana."

K8 offered Auto Express a fully integrated solution with one price per user that included all modules. Furthermore, Mr. Patel found that the consultants provided by the incumbent did not have industry knowledge. "I felt that money was wasted having to teach the implementation partner about the terminology of my business and industry, that I thought they would have knowledge of."

Des Nangle, Managing Director of KCS South Africa commented: "The automotive aftermarket parts sector is a key growth area for our K8 product and this is a significant deal as it strengthens our opportunities with tier one prospects in South Africa. Some of the UK's largest parts resellers have standardised on K8. We are very pleased that Auto Express have entered into this partnership with us."

Auto Express will go live with 4 branches and 30 users. K8 will most likely be rolled out next year to the retail stores initially. A key K8 differentiator was the powerful search functionality, which will make it easy for branch staff to find products, in a market sector with many product alternatives and successors.