Says Derrick Murphy project manager at Enterprise Foods, "The choice of an ERP software vendor was an important one, due to the strategic advantages that the system will provide. The system will assist the corporation in providing improved sales forecasting, better stock management and production planning. It will also integrate information from various departments to ensure that management can make improved strategic decisions."
Baan SA, specialists in providing ERP solutions to the manufacturing and distribution industry were chosen as they best met the requirements set by Enterprise Foods.
Yolanda Delport marketing and alliance manager of Baan SA comments, "It is significant to note that a number of market leaders such as Enterprise Foods have selected Baan to provide them with their ERP solutions. This reflects the quality of the product and the commitment of our people."
Murphy adds "We required a vendor that understood our business, who were specialists in the manufacturing and processing sector. This would allow the vendor to provide ERP solutions as well as information on how to improve the management supply chain. The fact that Baan has a strong presence in the South African market and have been selected by numerous market leaders weighed in their favour. Baan`s commitment to the future development of its product was another deciding factor that was taken into consideration."
"Realising the importance of our undertaking, we reviewed the business process prior to the selection of a software vendor. With the knowledge that Baan would provide the software necessary to meet our needs, a project team was formed which was made up of key users from the business and third party consultants to carry out the implementation. The team was then trained on Baan functionality and the consultants were introduced to the business processes, before a blueprint design was produced and the systems adapted to our specific needs. The team then developed training material and trained the pilot site users. The systems went live at the pilot sites at the end of July 1998, and the implementation at the remainder of the sites will follow over the next 7 months.
Given the relative importance of choosing an ERP system, a corporation should consider a number of factors during implementation. Murphy advised that companies need to "ensure that they resource properly with experienced people that have the necessary knowledge of their industry. Obtain a fixed price contract with experienced consultants that have the technical support available and then simulate the system early on in a test environment with end users. This helps the users to adjust during the implementation stage. Finally have a project plan and stick to it.
Concludes Murphy, "We understand that as a major player in the ERP market Baan are experiencing tremendous growth at present and have to meet heavy client demands. Generally Baan are a dynamic and innovative company that is trying to meet its customer expectations."
Editors note
About Enterprise Foods
Enterprise foods are the market leaders in the chilled processed meats in South Africa, employing over 2500 people and operating 6 sites and 13 sales offices throughout the country. The company distributes its products through third party distributors to the major food chain stores and other retail outlets in South Africa and through agents throughout southern African
About Baan SA
The Baan Company is a leading vendor of enterprise-wide and cross-enterprise standard business administration software. 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.
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