AST implements integrated business management system for Blick SA

AST Sage Solutions, a business unit of the JSE-listed AST Group, is in the process of implementing the Sage Line 500 business management system for Blick South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a turnkey solution provider of integrated security, access and time management solutions. The project, with a value of around R2 million, started in November 2002.

Blick SA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blick plc, an international, London-listed electronics and security group. The Blick Group has subsidiary operations in the UK, US, Far East and mainland Europe. Blick SA has been active in the African market for more than 50 years, with an installed base of more than 16 000 sites. Its customers range from large global corporations to micro industries.

The system implemented by AST Sage Solutions, the Sage Line 500, is a totally integrated business management system that seamlessly unifies information from finance, distribution, manufacturing and service operations. The wide-ranging business management system covers every aspect of a business, from the initial customer order to after-sales service. The Sage solution offers standard packages for almost the entire range of Blick SA`s business requirements, with some customisation for the unique aspects of its product range.

Blick SA`s business encompasses a wide spectrum of business functions and processes, from manufacturing and a national call desk to national sales teams. The company`s in-house systems were ageing and were not providing management with sufficient controls or with the level of reporting that was required, leading to tedious manual controls and procedures.

Blick SA was looking to replace the existing integrated system and other ad hoc modules, with the aim of increasing internal efficiencies and, more importantly, customer satisfaction. By removing some of the manual processes, Blick SA will be able to spend more time on the value-adding functions of the business, and improved reporting will facilitate more effective decision-making.

"AST`s qualified, accredited Sage consultants, coupled with our project management skills and our understanding of the client`s operations and business environments, allowed us to implement the most suitable solution. Our investment in Sage Solutions means that we can provide our clients with a customisable, affordable enterprise solution without compromising functionality," explains Lesia Loots of AST Sage Solutions.

"We believe that a thorough understanding of the industry within which our clients operate and of their business and operational issues is crucial. Our ability to provide the products and services required, as well as additional, complimentary services, significantly reduces the potential risk and complexity to our clients," says Pieter Bester, AST Sage Solutions` project manager.

The hardware required for the implementation of the system was bought through AST Technology Rentals, with AST Sage Solutions providing the technical specialists to commission the application server.

"The AST consultants have shown significant experience in the Sage software and in business processes. Without their commitment and expertise it would not be possible to implement this integrated system within the planned six months. An added benefit to Blick SA is that our in-house skills are being utilised to ensure that we maximise the functionality of our Sage system," says David King, Blick SA CFO and Project Manager.

While it is an internationally recognised company, Sage is supported locally, having almost 3 000 clients in SA. "The fact that Sage has such a large installed client base, together with the fact that it has offices in all the same locations as Blick plc, gave us added confidence in choosing this system. It also means that we can be assured of a long-term relationship with Sage and AST," concluded Stefan Oberholtzer, MD of Blick SA and project sponsor.