The new CRM application runs as a Java program under i OS, delivers Web- and Windows-based UIs, and provides close integration with the DB2 for i (DB2/400) database, as well as other Infor ERP applications. Instead of adapting the established Epiphany CRM application to run under the i OS platform, a new, fresh approach was taken, developed to benefit the company’s unique customer segment. Infor hopes that the fact that CRM i Edition was built specifically for i OS will mean a lot to those who rely on the platform to run critical business processes.

“Infor CRM i Edition helps our System i customers leverage their ERP data with new capabilities that will help them increase sales revenue, reduce sales costs, expand data visibility, enhance forecast accuracy, and improve customer service,” Kevin Piotrowski, Infor’s director of System i solution marketing was quoted as saying. “Providing innovation and support to our large installed base of System i customers is an important priority and commitment for Infor and a major factor behind our recent establishment of a business unit dedicated to our worldwide base of customers who use IBM System i,” he added.

Infor has been the owner of the System i industry’s largest ERP customer base since 2006, when a string of mergers has led the company to acquire SSA Global for $1.6 billion. At the moment Infor boasts with over 14,000 unique clients. Despite the solid client base, some experts have doubted that Infor would continue to innovate on the i OS platform and said that, the company opted to using maintenance revenue as a cash cow in the future.

Sceptics proved wrong in February, 2009, when Infor announced the launch of its dedicated System i division, headed by Mark Wright, to show commitment to further developments. Wright spent 18 years at IBM and his role as senior vice president and general manager for the IBM System i organization was to be responsible for strategic direction and leadership of all System i-based sales, pre-sales, product management, product development, and marketing, as well as working with Infor’s channel partners who sell and service software for the platform.

“Infor remains committed to the IBM System i platform, the continued development of our System i-based products and elevating service and support for these customers around the world,” corporate senior vice president Greg Corgan, said at the time. “In his role as general manager, Mark will work with IBM and our new System i team to drive product strategy and innovation, foster a more collaborative approach within the System i customer base, and provide greater overall value to customers.”

Infor CRM i Edition is the first full application launched by the department established in February. As Kevin Piotrowski, director of System i solution marketing for Infor put it, “Infor CRM i Edition is a “net new” application that was written from scratch using the Infor Development Framework (IDF), a development tool specifically for writing IBM i OS (i5/OS and OS/400) applications.

Infor CRM i Edition is already available. Pricing is dependent on the number of users and other factors. A license for an implementation for 10 to 20 named users would cost between $15,000 and $30,000.