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Bumbo International reinvests in SAP Business One as technology of choice

Infant and toddler brand renews partnership with SAP Business One from 4most for greater controls and a more holistic view of its expanding business.

Johannesburg, 13 Aug 2019

As a globally renowned manufacturer and supplier of infant and toddler products, having strict controls and exact processes in place has always been non-negotiable to Bumbo International. Since 2007, the business has identified the need for a single technology infrastructure capable of managing all facets of its operations, while providing a single real-time view of the business.

“Back then, our technology infrastructure consisted of multiple vendors,” says Yolandè de Wet, Financial Manager, Bumbo International, with the resulting lack of integration and problematic reporting being merely the tip of the iceberg.  To stay on top of an evolving business, Bumbo International needed to rethink its IT strategy and bring it in line with current business requirements and future growth plans.

Bumbo International is a provider of infant and toddler products and has been closely associated with high quality, comfort and safety for over 20 years. A dominant player in the industry thanks to its unique and niched product portfolio, Bumbo International enjoys a strong footprint in both the local market and internationally, predominantly in the USA, Europe, Australia and Canada.

Following a strong industry recommendation and an awareness of the benefits of SAP technology, Bumbo International decided on SAP Business One from industry partner 4most, a leading supplier and implementer of SAP Business One and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software technology, as its platform and vendor of choice. “We were in no doubt that it would be able to deliver our requirements from A to Z, thereby helping us take the next step as a business,” says De Wet.

Opportunity to gain deeper understanding of business

While the initial implementation was slower than expected and at times challenging, De Wet reflects on this having served as an opportunity for the business.

“Setting up an entirely new technology infrastructure demanded we have as deep an understanding as possible of every aspect of the business,” says De Wet. It provided the chance for Bumbo International to truly drill down into its processes, define exactly how said processes needed to be defined and how all facets of the business fitted together.

A highly reputable and increasingly well-known brand, coupled with an expanding product portfolio and a business underpinned by a strong technology infrastructure, has seen Bumbo International grow from strength to strength over the last 12 years.

“Our range has increased from predominantly infant and toddler seating, to include bathroom options as well as a range of accessories,” says De Wet. As a result, manufacturing requirements have increased, together with the resulting knock-on effect of an expanding business on other areas of the organisation.

“The business has grown,” says De Wet, “and with that, has come a shift in operational requirements.”

Multiple products, coupled with changes in production, have seen an increase in the number of reports required, as well as the need for easier access to information and a far deeper view of the business.

Investing in leading technology

“SAP invests heavily in R&D,” says Marius Fabian, CEO, 4most. This ensures SAP customers remain at the forefront of technology, allowing their original investment to grow with them, meeting any new requirements as the business evolves.

“In the case of Bumbo International, as its business has continued to expand since its original investment in SAP Business One, so too is the SAP technology able to continue to meet its new requirements,” he says.

“One of the biggest requirements has been the manufacturing floor,” says De Wet. Because of multiple products, the business needs far greater insight not only with regard to what products need to be produced, but equally importantly, with regard to every single component required to produce a finished item.

“All products are manufactured to order,” explains De Wet.

Therefore, to ensure quick and efficient production turnaround times, essential for guaranteeing customer satisfaction, easy access to reliable information, in real-time, is essential.

Successful implementation equals happy end-users

Far greater access to information, tighter controls, increased user-friendliness and enhanced reporting have seen a smooth and seamless transition for users and management alike with regard to the increased functionality. “It is what we have had before, but on steroids,” enthuses De Wet. “We have a team of very happy users.”

Increased transparency, a much deeper and more holistic view of the business, together with accurate forecasting and revenue projection, has resulted in Bumbo International gaining far greater control over every aspect of its business, with the increased functionality in its manufacturing sector of greatest benefit.

“We now know precisely what products need to be manufactured, together with exactly what has to be procured to enable this,” says De Wet. “It’s about the control. With greater controls, one is able to manage the business far more effectively.”

With far greater alignment between the entire functionality offered by SAP Business One and where Bumbo finds itself today, De Wet has no doubt that this successful partnership will continue. “SAP Business One has proven itself as a future-proof, long-term investment and partnership,” she says. “As we continue to grow and evolve in today’s ever-changing marketplace, we have no doubt SAP Business One will continue to meet current and future requirements.”

Cameron Beveridge, Regional Director: Southern Africa at SAP Africa, says companies that can combine intelligent technologies to gain a clear and real-time view over their operations will have a clear competitive advantage. “Competition in the global manufacturing industry is fierce, with global supply chains leaving very little time for delay or error. By adding greater intelligence to its factory floor, Bumbo International has gained invaluable insight that can guide its product and business expansion while improving day-to-day operational efficiencies.

"With their close partnership with Bumbo International and their laser focus on offering a positive customer experience, the 4most team has also shown what is possible when technology partners put the customer first.”

For more information, visit the SAP News Centre. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews.

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Editorial contacts

Adam Hunter
Head of Media Relations
(+27) 021 528 1748
adam.hunter@sap.com