Preactor International, the largest independent production planning and scheduling software company announced today that it has won 3 prestigious awards for its planning and scheduling solutions. Even more impressive is that these are from two continents which further enhances the international reputation and global nature of Preactor International.

In the UK, Preactor customer Wall Colmonoy received 1st place in the Best Performance Analysis category in the Digital Elite Awards competition hosted by Real Business. Competitors were judged on the success, innovation and measurable benefits of their IT implementation. Visibility of what is happening on the plant floor has gone from 0% to 100%, with Wall Colmonoy now able to see every order, its current status, and projected progress. On-time delivery performance has increased from 80% to 95%.

"This level of transformation is just astonishing," says judge Sarah McVittie, CEO of Textperts. "To go from non-existent visibility to complete control is a remarkable achievement."

In North America , Preactor International and its APS software were once again recognised as winners in START IT’s Top 50 Technologies targeted at manufacturing companies to improve their business practises. Winning products were gauged on their uniqueness and functionality in the market.

“The products selected as winners in the first Top 50 Technologies possess unique capabilities and characteristics in today’s marketplace. While considering hundreds of applicants, the editors of START-IT chose products that fit the needs of the manufacturing community,” said Peggy Smedley, editorial director of START-IT. “These companies are providing manufacturers with innovative and emerging technologies that enhance revenue opportunities and improve business practices.”

Recently, a START-IT survey showed that 51% of manufacturers will spend $50,000 or more on technology in the coming year. As manufacturers move toward spending more on innovative technology, the advantage of providing leading-edge solutions becomes more profitable. “The winners of the Top 50 Technologies are playing a crucial role in the advancement of today’s technology, and the companies listed here may well be the beneficiary of manufacturers’ investment in 2008,” added Smedley.

Back in Europe, 2 of Preactor’s customers have won through to the final shortlist for the BCIS IT Awards, the premier European recognition for excellence and innovation in the management of business information. Wall Colmonoy and Silvergate Plastics both highly impressed the judges in the earlier rounds of the competition and are strong contenders in the Organisational Excellence category where the winner is due to be announced in early December.

Commenting on the success, Mike Novels, CEO of Preactor International, is understandably proud. “We are very pleased and honoured to have won these awards along with some of the most famous names in manufacturing software solutions in the Europe and North America. It is especially pleasing that the judges have recognised the same considerable proven benefits that our production planning and scheduling technology brings to our growing international customer base which now extends to over 2000 companies in 64 countries.”