Business Connexion`s All-in-One solution for the small to medium component suppliers to the automotive industry has been launched into the local market.
The solution, which represents a partnership between SAP Africa and CDE, Business Connexion`s SAP Competency, offers smaller players an opportunity to efficiently interact with their customers.
As the system is based in real-time and most motor manufacturers in SA operate SAP, there is a strong impetus for small and medium businesses (SMBs) to implement the solution. In fact, the company is currently in discussions with various supplier organisations to endorse the product.
According to Chris Jones, Business Connexion`s senior manager: strategic development in the Combined Design Engineers (CDE) Competency, one of the benefits of the solution is its ability to be easily deployed. He explains that the solution is pre-configured, therefore there is no need for numerous consultants and internal staff to implement it.
Aside from being affordable, the solution can give local component suppliers the edge they need to be globally competitive. Says Jones: "It allows South African automotive suppliers and manufacturers to fully exploit the value chain in the automotive industry through true electronic commerce."
The solution is fully scalable and can be tailored to a client`s specific business requirements while leaving room to grow and change as successful small to medium businesses do.
The solution is based on best practice business processes for the automotive industry and also takes into account best people development practices. In this respect, a key element of the offering is the training that Business Connexion offers its clients.
According to Jones, there are three elements to the training: business, transactional and management reporting.
Business training involves change management and helps users identify their role in relation to the larger organisation. Transactional training revolves around the individual, ensuring every member of the organisation is able to use the system to do his or her job more efficiently. Management reporting is about the information that can be extracted from the system. Here, typically, management will be trained to use the system proactively to obtain information on various aspects of the business.
Business Connexion is the only company that is licensed to sell the technology to the automotive sector in SA. SAP has also launched the software into the professional services, human resources, retail and consumer products sectors.
Jones concludes: "CDE has been a full service alliance partner for SAP since 1996. As a result, we are very happy to expand our relationship into the SMB market in conjunction with SAP Africa.
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