Gauteng-based SAP services specialist Satreno is in the final stages of commissioning a comprehensive SAP business intelligence implementation at Senwes, one of South Africa's oldest and leading agri-business companies, enabling the company to holistically align corporate strategies with business unit budgets while dramatically speeding up reporting periods, streamlining strategic initiatives and gaining a single view of its customers.
At the start of the project and as part of the first phase, Satreno applied an informational methodology, referred to as ScIAM, to align business strategies with reporting requirements by focusing on all of Senwes' business divisions and levels of business. The outcome of this applied methodology not only led to the correct requirements establishment, but also the identification of information which was required but was not available at the time. The initial phase was completed within six months.
"Some of the business intelligence modules and methodologies are now in place and the entire project should be completed by the end of 2008," said Martin van Zyl, Senwes' information technology manager.
At the heart of the implementation is SAP BI 7.0, which enables the company to enhance its reporting on various levels of business from operational users, right through to senior executives and decision-makers.
Another important feature of the project is its ability to free up resources in the ERP environment by re-allocating reporting load to the business intelligence server.
"Some of our reporting functions were previously taking up to eight hours to complete. This has been slashed to around 15 minutes, which is a huge benefit in terms of time, productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness," said Van Zyl.
"The biggest benefit will be realised in terms of productivity and time saving. Reporting in BI is much more flexible and less system resource intensive".
Significantly, Senwes, whose silos handle about 30% of the country's grain and oil-seeds in a normal agricultural production year, believes its new business intelligence abilities will enable it to substantially enhance its service to and interaction with customers.
Through the new system, Senwes, which will soon celebrate its centenary, will be able to slot customers into various categories and focus on increasing market share. The company conducts extensive activities in sectors such as the grain industry, supply of farming inputs, the farm mechanisation market and financing services focused on agriculture. It has a major presence in Free State, North West, Northern Cape and Gauteng provinces.
"There used to be a misalignment between business strategy and the various business units' budgets. For example, sales turnover might not have aligned with our overall growth strategy," explained Van Zyl.
"It is now much more possible to ensure that business operations are directly aligned with Senwes' overall business strategy."
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