Organizations suffer from problems like lack of real - time reporting and close integration across different departments. An ERP solution seeks to address these issues, but most organisations stop at just implementing the core modules/functionalities like financial management, sales & distribution, purchasing functions, production planning and enterprise asset management. The basic premise of this implementation is the availability of a “wired network”. What gets ignored and probably unnoticed and unanswered is “Have I moved closer to my customer?”
Forward looking organisations like Nagarjuna Fertlisers & Chemicals are looking beyond a normal SAP/ERP implementation. New age solution providers are constantly re-inventing themselves to adopt and seamlessly integrate new business functionalities with their existing solutions. Mobility solutions and integration with SAP, are the latest enablers which empower field personnel to take instant decisions like delivery date confirmation, payment confirmation, basic sales and accounts analytics, etc. Most importantly these are seamlessly integrated with the SAP ERP solution so that the central offices/ senior managers have the up-to-date information of the field activity. Some of the key business benefits that can be derived by NFCL based on this integration of SAP core modules with mobility solutions are:
Quicker order processing: Sales orders can be remotely created by mobile devices, which instantaneously get reflected in the central SAP system. Typically, this information takes 3-4 days to travel.
Real time stock position: Sales people can immediately confirm availability of any fertiliser at a warehouse nearest to the dealer making order handling and better.
Streamlined logistics planning at “unconnected” warehouse: Both inbound and outbound logistics planning become streamlined with mobile devices. The problem, till now, because of “unconnectivity” is automatically resolved.
Accurate Credit Management: Mobile devices facilitate payment postings by field sales personnel, which undoubtedly assist in credit monitoring. Bad debts are avoided with increased accuracy.
Real time MIS reporting: Till now, more of a dream is realistic, with stock position, customer payments and orders being tracked real time. Field officers are now empowered to take quicker and accurate decisions. Consumer proximity is the biggest differentiator and in fact, brings the most visible competitive advantage.
The original paper was published as a case study on the Financial Express:
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