Petroleum giant Engen has replaced its proof of delivery (POD) system with Ixos Software`s iXos-Archive 3.5 for SAP R/3, supplied by infrastructure optimisation company Supported Software.
The multi-million Rand implementation gives Engen a more aggressive archiving strategy for SAP R/3 and a central document storage facility that is easily accessible to all users.
IS systems integration manager, Andries van der Vyver, says Ixos was picked as the best option over seven other contenders for Engen`s RFP, and is far more capable than the standalone POD system it replaced.
"Users can now view scanned images of delivery notes and invoices online before they are sent out, instead of having to proof the documents for accuracy on a physical fax machine," says Van der Vyver. "Combined with a much-improved search facility, we`ve derived cost saving and productivity improvements from day one.
"Ixos integrates tightly with SAP R/3 and gives us broader functionality across the board for archiving and delivery services," he continues. "Because we have significant resources invested in SAP, integration with R/3 was essential and Ixos came out tops in this regard."
Van der Vyver adds that Engen is currently discussing the integration of the iXos/R3 system with other archiving requirements for contract management, accounts payable and HR documentation.
"We`ll also be using the system for SAP R/3 data archiving," he says. "In the long term we`ll expand our scope to include archiving solutions for Microsoft Exchange."
IS applications manager, Deon Strydom, says that from a project management perspective, Engen needed a system that would store its older SAP R/2 data archives.
"In any major platform upgrade its imperative older data is archived consistently and remains accessible past the changeover point," says Strydom. "Ixos enables us to work with our R/2 data as seamlessly as it does with newer R/3 data from the same console, easing the transition significantly.
"From a group perspective we decided to stay with SAP and move to R/3 to support many of our ongoing business initiatives and optimise our current and planned projects," he continues. "Consistency made sense from a technical point of view, and Ixos was the best-suited tool to help us maintain that consistency in the long term."
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