Aberdare Cables (Pty) Ltd, Africa`s leading manufacturer of power, telecommunication, control and optical fibre cables, has contracted ISIS Information Systems (Pty) Ltd, to implement SAP R/3 at multiple sites country-wide. This represents the first implementation of the SAP Cable Solution in South Africa.
Isis is a member of the JSE Securities Exchange-listed Altech group of companies. Managing Director of Isis, Thinus Potgieter, said the project would provide Aberdare with a fully integrated system to manage all its information requirements in a consistent way. In addition, the SAP R/3 solution would provide Aberdare with the infrastructure to support the entry of Aberdare into e-business
Aberdare`s Head of IT, Gavin Mack, said that due to extensive growth in the group, it had become essential to improve Aberdare`s information systems. "With the acquisition of Voltex manufacturing, management realised that changes were needed for continued business support. We quickly learnt that the implementation of computer systems of this nature required special people with the right skills," he said. "We found these people within our own group. ISIS had all the skills and experience we required. Their first job was to develop a Master System Plan for Aberdare. Isis was then also contracted, as a partner, to help select the best suited Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for us," said Mack.
After investigating the information technology solutions being used by global cable manufacturers, only two suitable systems were found that could deal with the technical complexity of the cable-manufacturing environment. An exhaustive 12-month product evaluation/selection exercise was undertaken between the two vendors, and SAP was selected as the most suitable package for Aberdare. Mack said Criteria in the selection of the package included the provision of a reliable, integrated ERP solution, with specific emphasis on the specific requirements of the cable manufacturing industry. "The solution would have to provide real-time, easy access to integrated information across the Aberdare group, while addressing the business requirements of all business units," he said.
This information was needed to enable Aberdare to make informed decisions and therefore improve its operational efficiency to provide the group with a competitive edge.
He said that although preparatory work would start immediately, the actual project would only formally commence in June. The project team will consist of an Aberdare internal team together with the Isis implementation team.
ISIS, a centre of excellence in ERP integration, recently completed major implementations of SAP R/3 at Hillside Aluminium, the Saldanha Steel Mill and the Mozambique Aluminium Smelter.
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