What does it take to not just survive, but thrive through two decades of relentless technological change? In enterprise software, where on-premise installations have given way to cloud platforms and AI is reshaping what’s possible, the partnerships that endure run deeper than contracts. 

Founded in the UK in 2005, Cooper Software specializes in IFS implementation, support and systems integration. Over the past 20 years, it has worked with many IFS customers, including companies like Rodda’s, Farrow & Ball, and Austal. They’re both an IFS Specialized Partner and an IFS ISV Partner. But the real measure of their longevity isn’t in titles. It’s in how they’ve navigated constant change while staying relevant to customers. 

I sat down with Frank Cooper, the company’s founder, to talk about what it takes to stay ahead in an industry that never stands still. 

“I think we’ve always tried to do things in the right spirit, in the right way,” Frank says. But good intentions don’t carry you for two decades. What has made the difference is their engineering mindset applied to integration challenges. 

“My background is as a software engineer,” Frank explains. “That technical DNA is still at the heart of who we are. We’ve grown to include broader skills and experience, but we still retain that deep technical capability. Today we bring together both technical and functional expertise to deliver complete solutions.” 

That combination matters in practice. While most partners can implement IFS according to best practice, Cooper Software can also build add-on products that handle complex technical requirements. They’ve delivered roughly 1,500 custom technical solutions to customers. In an industry where ERP projects are often transactional, that kind of technical problem-solving builds relationships that last. 

Moving with the Market 

Throughout the conversation, one pattern emerges: Cooper Software tends to be early to adopt new approaches. They were among the first partners to embrace barcoding solutions, mobility, and IFS Cloud implementations. This wasn’t about being first for its own sake. It was about positioning their customers to benefit from new capabilities. 

“We’ve always tried to be proactive, to watch for what’s coming and support IFS in bringing new things to market,” Frank notes. 

When IFS introduced Cloud and its Evergreen model, fundamentally changing how customers consume ERP, Cooper Software rethought their delivery approach entirely. The shift from long, infrequent upgrade projects to continuous improvement required a different mindset. 

“ERP projects are often measured in years, not months,” Frank says. “We’ve been able to compress delivery into a more iterative, agile approach, aligned with continuous improvement. This helps customers adopt cloud without it feeling like a massive, complex journey.” 

Building What’s Missing 

One of the more interesting developments is how Cooper Software has shifted from purely custom work to productizing their solutions. They’ve developed several solutions that have become part of the broader IFS ecosystem, including MTD (for UK tax compliance), ACQUIRE, TRAX, STICKIES, and LOOKUP. 

“IFS is now coming to partners like ourselves and saying, ‘We want to recognize what you’re building and help you market it, because it enhances our brand and product,'” Frank explains. 

The philosophy is straightforward: IFS handles many business needs exceptionally well. Cooper Software focuses on specialized needs but builds native solutions rather than bolted-on workarounds. “We’re building industry-strength solutions using best practices,” Frank says.  

Opening Access 

Frank sees the shift to cloud economics as creating a genuine market change. IFS has long been a trusted partner to large enterprises with complex operational requirements. Cloud is opening the door for more organizations to benefit from that level of capability. 

“The capability and functionality from IFS have always been applicable to smaller companies, but the cost barrier kept them out,” Frank notes. “Now with cloud, that barrier is removed. You don’t need a global systems integrator. You want a systems integrator that can work at the SME and mid-market level and make it work at a different price point.” 

This matters because it changes who can access enterprise-grade ERP. Companies that could have benefited all along but couldn’t justify the investment now have options. And it requires partners who can deliver enterprise implementations without enterprise overhead. 

What Comes Next 

When we talk about the future, AI comes up almost immediately. Not as hype, but as something Cooper Software is already implementing. Frank shares an example: a project where AI reads complex technical drawings and automatically populates data into IFS. 

“AI learns how to add value to the information being input,” Frank explains. “This kind of capability will have similar use cases across any industry dealing with complex processing.” 

It’s a good example of innovation happening where it should: close to the customer, solving actual problems. Cooper Software continues to invest in staying current with Planning and Scheduling Optimization, AI integration, and expanding their ISV portfolio. 

“Technology never stands still,” Frank observes. “But the core principles, great customer alignment, understanding industries, delivering value, those are constants regardless of what’s happening in the technology landscape.” 

For customers evaluating IFS, the takeaway is practical: successful ERP isn’t just about choosing the right software. It’s about choosing partners who bring both technical depth and industry experience. Partners who can solve the problems that standard implementations can’t. Partners measured in decades, not project cycles. 

You can watch highlights from my discussion with Frank.