Bidco, the largest producer of edible oils in East Africa, has resolved potential year 2000 woes by implementing Baan (EBA) software. The 30-user deal took a mere three months to implement at Bidco`s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Bidco has already seen noticeable results from the quick implementation of Baan`s Finance, Distribution, Manufacturing and Sales modules.
" Bidco has experienced significantly reduced stockholding and shrinkage and the benefit of constraint identification. While also being able to eliminate loss making products and quality problems," says Mr Reinald De Vries, Baan consulting director of southern Africa.
"Prior to implementing Baan, the company had Y2k problems, inaccurate costing, lack of clarity in stock holding and poor quality procedures which were caused by the outdated system. These have been resolved with Bidco, which has also cut down on debtor collection days and provides accurate goods tracking, " adds De Vries.
The implementation has run very smoothly with minor logistical problems related to traveling to Kenya.
"We were impressed with how the end-users adjusted so quickly. They were very dedicated, worked hard and put in long hours on the implementation. The project has been a phenomenal success and we have started the second phase, which should be completed in the next two months, to install Fixed Asset as well as Service and Maintenance, " explains De Vries.
In winning the deal over other vendors such as SAP, Baan was recognised as being scalable and easy to use.
De Vries offers advice for companies considering a Baan implementation. " It is key to the success of a project to choose the business partner that best meets your needs. Companies should choose a good business partner with a good track record. They should be realistic about immediate benefits and focus on added value such as best practice and quicker implementation. Furthermore, ERP buyers should consider the one-stop approach for software and services instead of using a number of parties."
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Bidco
Bidco Oil Refineries Limited is the largest and most advanced edible oil and soap processing corporate in East Africa. The company aims to provide unrivaled, affordable, high quality oils, fats and soaps globally.
Baan Company
The Baan Company is a leading vendor of Enterprise Business Applications (EBA). The architecture of the Baan software permits rapid introduction and continuous adjustment, thus supporting the management of corporate processes, particularly in the auto, aviation, electrical and electronics industries, process-based and project-oriented companies. The Baan Company has an installed base of 4000, involving some 2 400 customers in more than 59 countries, and employs more than 3 500 workers. The company was founded in 1978, and is headquartered in Putten, Netherlands and Menlo Park, California. The company`s shares are quoted at NASDAQ (BAANF) and the stock markets of Amsterdam and Frankfurt (WPKN 895467).
Baan has been represented in South Africa since 1989 by the Q Data group company QMCS. In 1995 Baan took over the company from Q Data and a wholly owned subsidiary Baan South Africa was formed. Its client base consists of more than 60 leading organisations countrywide.