The JSE Securities Exchange-listed AST Group has successfully managed the largest SAP R/3 implementation project in Southern Africa.
AST`s ERP Solutions, a business unit of the AST Group, and Deloitte Consulting jointly managed the 18 months implementation project for steel producer Iscor Limited with the assistance of Iscor`s information management staff.
SAP, an acronym for Systems, Applications and Products in Data Processing is fundamentally a financial software solution that integrates various processes within an organisation.
The SAP R/3 system was implemented at Iscor`s Vanderbijlpark, Newcastle and Vereeniging operations and the steel producer`s corporate office in Pretoria.
The project comprised the implementation of major SAP functional modules including human resources, finance, materials management, plant maintenance, as well as manufacturing and order management specifically for Iscor`s Vereeniging plant.
Pieter Boshoff, managing director of AST ERP Solutions, says SAP offered the client the architectural flexibility to enable easier adaptations and integration with other systems to ensure continued productivity in a constantly changing business environment.
"SAP offers Iscor an integrated system that co-ordinates business activity and supports the flow of information across processes. Faster access to information enables swift and improved business decisions and activities."
Iscor`s general manager information management, Louise van der Bank, says the SAP system offered Iscor a uniform and effective solution to replace the company`s costly legacy systems, while supporting its long-term strategies to move toward electronic sales and procurement.
"We believe the SAP environment presents major strategic benefits, in particular, the provision of real time information, improved efficiency and data integrity.
"We are confident in our decision to implement SAP and believe it will further enhance our international competitiveness."
Share
In just three years the AST Group has established itself as one of the leading information and communication technology (ICT) companies on the JSE Securities Exchange. Its consistent creation of value for shareholders, clients and employees has resulted in a steady increase in monthly revenue to the R100 million plus mark.
AST is now the fourth largest South African IT company by market capitalisation, and is one of the top three in terms of physical infrastructure (mainframes, servers, desktops, and networks under management) and geographical footprint with over 62 physical locations. Counting almost 90% of the top 100 JSE-listed companies among its clients, the AST Group services mostly large corporate and government clients, but is increasingly offering services to rapidly evolving small and medium enterprises.
Editorial contacts