Finding it difficult to keep up with the fast pace of ever changing needs, MAS choose to integrate its vast network of distribution channels under a single head by using Microsoft Business Solutions – Navision. This choice has allowed MAS to not only be able to access individual vendor information and accounts but also allowed complete clarity and transparency in all vendor transaction histories through detailed ledger entries.
Overview
Country: India
Industry: Automobile Spare parts Distribution
Customer Profile
Madras Auto Service was established in 1931 and is a division of TV Sundaram Iyengar and Sons, the largest distribution company in India. Today, MAS represents more than 70 ancillary manufacturers. In addition to marketing spares for trucks, cars, tractors, earth moving equipment, generator sets and IC engines, MAS is one of the largest wholesalers of spare parts with a network of over 12,000 dealers. It has 33 branches in various parts of the country. The company had a turnover of around Rs.150 crores (USD 33 million approximately) for the financial year 2003-04 and its net profit is 10 crores.
Business Situation
Today, MAS aspires to continue its expansion by creating a network that will span the length and breadth of the country. But the real emphasis at MAS would be to maintain the cherished standards of service that have inspired MAS since its birth.
But to support its growth and its business outlook, MAS did not have a robust IT system in place. MAS worked on disparate FoxPro based legacy systems to handle purchases, sales, materials, finance, deposits, payroll and TDS. All these systems were independently installed at the branch offices with data transfers being done on a periodic basis. Since the existing systems were not integrated, data consolidation was a major challenge. The legacy systems were insulated from the changes demanded by the business because every change needed to be incorporated in all the 35 instances of the application in the branch locations. Moreover, the IT team of MAS kept changing owing to the demand for IT professionals in the Indian market. As a result, MAS faced a major challenge of having a stable IT team who could thoroughly understand the legacy systems and maintain it.
As a result, the existing systems were not able to keep pace with the growing business needs of MAS. MAS required an alternate system but were constrained as the historic data was not integrated and had to be migrated to a new system.
Proposed Solution
An integrated Microsoft Dynamics NAV system was the decision-by-choice. SIS implemented Microsoft Dynamics NAV in a phased manner first targeting its core business operations and then the support functions. SIS first implemented the solution at the head office and built temporary connectors with the systems in the branches and other legacy systems in the head office. Subsequently, the branch operations and support business functions were automated in Microsoft Dynamics NAV in a phased manner.
SIS also thoroughly analyzed the existing legacy systems and worked with the existing IT teams of MAS to simultaneously handle the data migration activities and then migrated the historic data of the legacy systems into the Microsoft Dynamics application. In order to provide the maximum benefits of an integrated system, SIS also provided consultancy and implementation services in order to implement the IT infrastructure and nation wide network of MAS.
MAS achieved improved performance and efficiency together with streamlined operations. MAS also claim to have achieved their objective of multi-level business operations, spanning across geographies. MAS today, is looking at leveraging the technology advancements (internet, mobile computing, RFID) to achieve better efficiencies and provide better service to its customers.
Challenges Faced- Multi-location operations
- Legacy systems running on outdated technology
- High business transaction rate
- Inexperienced IT team of the client
- Low IT literacy with a select section of users
- High level of integration with legacy systems
- High level of customization with a need for translating significant functionalities from legacy systems to the ERP system.
Benefits
- New, integrated business system
- User-friendliness
- Latest technology
- Total flexibility to scale-up
- Professional setup of IT infrastructure and national network that has the capability to scale up
- Hassle-free migration from legacy systems
- Online reporting
- Improved integration across various entities
For More Information
For more information about Sundaram Infotech’s Enterprise Solutions products and services, call +91-44-28604066, or visit www.sundaraminfotech.in
Contact Information
901-906, Raheja Towers
177, Anna Salai,
Chennai – 600002
India
http://www.sundaraminfotech.in
E-mail: info@sundaraminfotech.in
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