Intaba Chemicals, a member of the Omnia Group, has contracted with Armada/SSA for Version 6.0.0.2 of System Software Associates` ERP software, BPCS. This will ensure a full record of internal and outsourced business and provide the basis for a detailed marketing database.
Intaba Chemicals specialises in the trading of bulk commodity chemicals for a number of industries. These include sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid in the metallurgical industries and water treatment chemicals and imported pigments for the paint industry. Intaba has also entered the manufacturing arena with a hydrochloric acid and potassium sulphate plant in Sasolburg and is commissioning an aluminium sulphate and aluminium trihydrate plant.
Karin Arnold, administrative manager and BPCS project manager, says: "The industrial chemicals industry is very competitive. Our strategic drive is towards establishing ourselves as a leader in bulk chemicals dealing, extending our presence in our current areas as well as new markets and identifying demand for new products."
Arnold adds: "To fulfil our strategic goals as well as ensure Year 2000 compliancy, we decided to install the new BPCS. The old version had been extensively customised over a 10-year period and was no longer adequate and also not Year 2000-compliant. The current version is completely integrated and covers all our business transactions including order entry, full financials into general ledger, costing, pricing, stock and warehousing."
The software is installed on an AS/400 at head office in Sandton. A full-time Armada consultant worked with the Intaba Chemicals team for implementation and training.
Intaba Chemicals employs marketing managers who consult directly with customers and have the authority to negotiate and make decisions on the road. Their planning and decisions must be supported with complete and accurate marketing and customer data.
"Market assessments, projections and trend analyses are based on reliable data," says Arnold. "In addition, BPCS is open, which means we are not limited in the front-end analysis tools we can use.
"Our marketing managers are key to our profitability and the fulfilment of our strategic goals. They have chemical engineering qualifications as well as strong marketing skills. We are customer-centred and they need a solid base of marketing data to support and anticipate customer requirements."
Arnold comments on future plans: "We are also looking at automating data transfer with our factories. We minimise mundane tasks, freeing employees to do what they are supposed to do: look after the customer."
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