Manpower Software Share Discussion Threads

[widemouthfrog] 14/6/2003 00:32

well i'm just delighted :]
notice there's been little talk of targets - any opinions short/long term?

[cockneyrebel] 13/6/2003 17:38

Quite some volume today.

The beauty of this stock is the lack of competitors. As I see it, Manpower identified a niche in the market, namely workforce planning and they are scooping up major government sectors such as shipping and defence.

You could see this software adapting to many other target markets where a large worforce needs to be organised such as NHS, Construction, temping staff etc.

CR

[maxbubble] 13/6/2003 16:54

any chance of an MBO and if so what price? i'm sure Mr Drummond sees an exit route!!!

[predator2] 12/6/2003 16:52

here come all the late reported trades!.

[predator2] 12/6/2003 16:08

buy trades are not showing up?,mine aint yet!,hence the rise on no volume imo.

[ed winchester] 12/6/2003 16:07

looks like it

[cockneyrebel] 12/6/2003 16:03

Going great guns - I assume the stock overhang has been cleared by the chairman's buy?

CR

[cockneyrebel] 12/6/2003 15:34

Also probably one of the last chances the Chairman might get to buy a large wadge - results are early August and the company soon goes into its close period.

CR

[cockneyrebel] 12/6/2003 15:27

Could be any fund - does it matter who?

I'm sure the Chairman isn't into charity and buying more just to clear a stock overhang.

Rather deliciously grabbed another 10K before the tick up.

At the interims the company said this:

"Undoubtedly, this result for the six months to 30 November 2002 is a
disappointment. However, we do not consider that it is reflective of the
current level of prospects and confirmed sales that the Company expects to be
able to recognise in the second half of the financial year. Delays in closing
significant contracts have had a negative impact on our result for the period.
Two of these contracts, with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Norwegian Cruise
Lines, have now been signed. In addition, commercial terms for a third
contract, with a major global shipping company, have been agreed."


They have since announces the signing of the 'major shipping company' contract and a further two contracts with the Army. Seems they are doing a ton of business in H2 - not surprised the Chairman has bought more.

CR

[raja.riaz] 12/6/2003 15:02

directors got a good price

[ed winchester] 12/6/2003 14:59

chairman buys 1 million shares. The shares are up 15.5% as i write :

MANPOWER SOFTWARE PLC
('the Company')

Director's share purchase


The Company has been notified today that Robert Drummond, the chairman of the
Company, has today acquired 1 million ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the
capital of the Company ('Ordinary Shares'), representing 2.26 per cent of the
issued share capital, each at a price of 10.75 pence per share. Robert Drummond
is now interested in 3,840,352 Ordinary Shares representing 8.68 per cent of the
issued share capital.


12 June 2003

[andybubbles] 08/6/2003 00:18

ive stuck everything i sold into SGP which has been tipped everywhere and is releasing goood news monday, have a look but DYOR

[andybubbles] 08/6/2003 00:17

ive stuck everything i sold into SGP which has been tipped everywhere and is releasing goood news monday, have a look but DYOR

[andybubbles] 08/6/2003 00:16

i sold but still think this company is going places,

[widemouthfrog] 07/6/2003 00:38

andy - your timing is better than mine!

[widemouthfrog] 07/6/2003 00:28

couldn't resist a modest punt.
consensus seems to be good, see analysis on FAR2...

[ed winchester] 06/6/2003 22:03

Manpower cruises into crew control

By Mark Warner
Friday May 23 2003


CREW scheduling is, by its very nature, a resource-intensive task full of complex challenges and obstacles.

So it is some surprise that this labour-exhaustive sector has been somewhat neglected by IT software providers keen on developing products for the maritime industry.

Human resource systems exist in a number of shipping companies, but the majority remain bespoke systems predominantly based on spreadsheet and database programmes.

Fortunately, help is now at hand for resource managers frustrated by the never-ending planning schedules necessary to run an efficient operation and who are looking for more than just an Excel spreadsheet.

Manpower Software was established in 1991 primarily focused on providing planning and scheduling development software for the UK's Ministry of Defence and Nato.

But it was a supply contract with the Royal Fleet Auxilliary in 1997 which led to the software company setting its sights on shipping.

"Manning is matching demand with supply, but in a complex industry such as shipping it can cause major headaches," says Simon Courage, product manager for Manpower software.

"So we felt our software developed in the defence sector for the RFA could be adapted for the marine industry."

This led to a prolonged marketing drive aimed at the major cruise companies.

"The cruise companies provide a useful model for application of the software, with manning in this sector a complex process akin to staffing hospitals or military operations."

Manpower developed its unique MAPS software to provide analysis of staffing requirements, enabling effective forecasting and management of the workforce.

The strategy has been a success with Manpower now providing software to the big four - Carnival, Royal Caribbean, P&O Princess and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

It has also recently launched a new module to the software aimed at optimising crew travel.

"This is a critical factor in human resource planning for cruise companies," says Mr Courage. "It is very hard to optimise travel costs so the module is aimed at increasing the visibility of future travel costs and potential savings opportunities."

Mr Courage believes this will address the imbalance of unnecessary expenditure on travel.

Aside from the cruise companies, Manpower has also begun to target the concessionary companies that operate on the vessels.

"We have signed up a number of concessionary companies such as Photo Developers that operate on board the vessels.

"Our long term aim is to link the scheduling systems of the cruise companies with the concession companies."

It is also keen to expand into other sectors of the maritime industry and Mr Courage is confident of signing up companies from the tanker and liner industries, despite the lesser number of crew compared to the cruise sector.

"The initial focus from companies was very much based on growth and an exponential increase in crew numbers. They were only looking at how they could make it more manageable."

But he believes the focus is now changing to making the company more efficient. "Companies in all sectors are now looking for the software to provide cost reductions and legislative compliance."

According to Mr Courage companies are particularly looking for software that provides compliance with the international convention for standards of training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers, a requirement that often cannot be provided by in-house or off-the-shelf products.

"Disparate systems also bring the added problem of a lack of departmental communication."

"There is still a 'bottomless pit in terms of development cost and time' surrounding internally developed systems without guarantees of covering legal requirements," he concludes.

[andybubbles] 06/6/2003 11:23

just sold at 13.25, small profits, but stil a profit

[andybubbles] 06/6/2003 11:15

ok guys ive got in at 9.8p. what would u guys do now?? take a smal profit or wait a bit longer? do u know when the results will be out? and are they gonna be good results? thanks,
andy

[widemouthfrog] 06/6/2003 10:14

thanks safman, hoping so too and will watch closely but fear being left behind - downside seems to be behind mns now and the markets feel unusually bullish. congrats to all on an excellent thread, a research tool in itself.

[safman] 06/6/2003 09:57

wide mouth... i'm not the expert on this stock.. i'm sure there are more people that have been in this stock and know about it...

IMO .. this stock has gone up from 4pish - 14p in the space of 2 months .. 300% increase... i would expect this to retrace a little.. not sure how much...

But the one thing I know now, is that there is quite a bit of potential for this one...

I'll wait for retracement before I buy...

[widemouthfrog] 06/6/2003 09:49

safman - spent long hours last night researching mms. was also planning to buy in this am. do you think it might retrace a little before results?

[monman] 06/6/2003 08:28

might put a small punt on these as they do tend to fly on news