2001 marks the beginning of a new version and revitalised approach towards enterprise resource planning (ERP). New world ERP, or ERPII results from the merger between customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain and traditional or back-office ERP integration. ERPII creates a solid foundation as it accelerates the process of e-business and self-service, an interactive link between a company`s suppliers, customers and employees.
"This is where ERP solutions will be moving to and the opportunity now lies in bridging the gap between old and new world ERP," says Tanya Langbein, Iocore`s General Manager, ERP Solutions.
Appointed as Oracle`s first Certified Application Advantage Partner in SA, Iocore`s methodology is adapted around Oracle applications to ensure successful implementation of ERP solutions. "Iocore`s Oracle ERP business driver approach is firmly in line with the new world of self-service," says Langbein. "It prepares our customers for the world of e-business and provides them with a stable ERP system."
She says companies should not move into the new world of ERP if their systems are not stable and geared towards e-business and self-service. "In many companies the application is ready, yet there is still a big step to self-service and very few companies have got this right."
The question is where does a company start and how does it set about building a solid ERP foundation? Langbein says to start by identifying key business drivers and to provide focused offerings such as efficient accounting, accurate inventory and order tracking, automated management reporting and paperless administrative processes. She says that a company should focus on linking its business drivers together by order of priority and then integrating a strategic ERP implementation around them to meet its business objectives.
Oracle ERP applications software is Web-based and offers an integrated solution between business areas including financials, human resources, distribution, supply chain and procurement. Iocore maps a company`s business onto this platform and in some cases it integrates third-party solutions. Iocore`s phased approach towards ERP implementation ensures that a business area takes about six weeks to implement. "The days of traditional 18- to 24-month ERP projects are gone," says Langbein. "By hooking into business drivers and identifying the pains, Iocore implements the right solutions that give quick turnaround times. This results in customer relief," she says.
Iocore`s ERP solutions team consists of functional, technical and database specialists who rely on Oracle as their technology partner. The process begins with the knowledge phase where high-level business drivers that link to the sales cycle are identified. The team then drills down into a detailed plan that highlights the project deliverables. Solutions design and building skills are applied and the ERP solution is demonstrated to a company`s users to obtain buy-in. The building phase ensures the application solution is set up in a clean environment. It is installed, tested and signed-off. End-user training and onsite support is provided during the roll-out.
Iocore`s Oracle ERP solution is not limited to the size of a company, or to an industry type. "Iocore covers all industry sectors in SA and Europe with strong reference to the telecommunications industry," says Langbein.
"Most of Iocore`s customers are already feeling comfortable with their Oracle ERP solutions and are experiencing effective returns." She says as companies grow and users get more comfortable, so ERP applications will expand and the approach towards embracing e-business and self-service where employees, customers and suppliers meet, will soon mature.
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