Maryknoll, the U.S.-based Catholic missionary movement, includes the Maryknoll Society (Fathers and Brothers), the Maryknoll Congregation (Sisters), the Maryknoll Lay Missioners, and the Maryknoll Affiliates. The Society searched for a vendor whose software could support the broader range of its needs at Orbis Books that, in addition to the current needs of Orbis, will also support other Society product lines. Also, Orbis Books needed a vendor with a proven record of providing software that delivers powerful web based customer service tools, a key capability of the UNISON software. Orbis Books determined that the GTS proposal was the most acceptable in terms of implementation, reliability, functionality, contract, service, and cost.

Orbis publisher, Michael Leach, said, "Good business is about good relationships and Orbis and Global have had a close working relationship for more than 20 years.  Our upgrade to UNISON affirms our trust in Global president Al Alteslane and his professional staff, our satisfaction with their timely service, and our belief that this new system will best meet our needs in a new era of e-commerce and networking with other systems.  We did a lot of homework before deciding and it confirmed our positive experience." 

Bill Medeot, Finance/Operations Manager, stated "The new Global system addresses our current needs and will take us into the future. We have witnessed how Global has kept pace with the constantly changing publishing industry and technology over the years. After working with staff at Global one realizes how knowledgeable and talented they are. Not only do they understand computers, but they know publishing. This Global team is only part of the reason for staying with them. Their software is excellent and able to offer us efficient solutions to do many of our tasks - mailings, royalties, order processing, inventory, sales analysis and especially e-commerce. We have seen our business grow over the years that we have been with Global and have been able to maintain our staff at those levels. We have worked smarter with a company that has given us the tools to be able to do what we do best - Publishing." 

Al Alteslane, GTS's President stated, "Orbis Books and Maryknoll chose the UNISON software after completing their detailed due diligence. UNISON Version 6.2 will provide Maryknoll and Orbis Books a powerful and modern business software tool that will deliver full integration of the entire operation as well as provide the eUNISON Web Based Customer Service tools to their customers on a 24x7 basis, worldwide. This new level of service will reduce Orbis's operating costs and improve their responsiveness to customer needs." 

Also known as the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (CFMSA), the Maryknoll Society is a mission community of priests and brothers who are committed to Gospel values and live among other peoples, cultures, and religious traditions throughout the world, particularly among the poor. Orbis Books, the publishing arm of the Society, was founded in 1970 to be a bridge between the Third World and the West.  For thirty-five years Orbis has sought to explore the global dimensions of Christian faith, to invite dialogue with diverse cultures and religious traditions, and to serve the cause of reconciliation and peace.  Orbis Books publishes 50 books per year (25 in each season: Fall and Spring) for a diverse market of scholars, seekers, and students. 

Global Turnkey Systems, Inc. (GTS) was established in 1969 and has grown to become a leader in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and systems for the publishing industry, specifically for publishers of subscriptions, books, and e-information products. Some of Global's multi-national customers are Reed-Elsevier, Thomson Corporation, Wolters Kluwer, Springer-Verlag, and Scholastic, Inc. The GTS team is comprised of not only systems experts, but publishing experts as well. Many GTS employees come from the publishing industry and truly understand the needs of their customers. Global works exclusively with the publishing community, allowing them to devote 100% of research and development to the changing requirements in the industry.  

Additionally, GTS's Professional Services team assists throughout the implementation, offering superior project planning, business requirements analysis, conversion assistance, testing, training, and technical support.  The UNISON system utilizes state of the art technology in an open systems environment to provide publishers an effective tool for managing a publishing enterprise in a highly competitive environment.  The integrated, modules of the UNISON system include: order processing, invoicing, accounts receivable, inventory control, sales analysis, royalties, mail list management, telemarketing, special promotions, subscription fulfillment and circulation management, EDI, job costing, accounts payable, purchasing, and general ledger. 

For more information, please contact sales at Sales@GTSystems.com or call 800-524-2132 x604.