The use of the SYSPRO 6.0 ERP business solution has been integral to the growth of Tenesa Manufacturing over the past five years. Starting with a production output of 1MWp, the company has experienced exponential growth and now boasts a facility with a capacity of 35MWp. Tenesa has tripled its SYSPRO user base since 2000 and is able to use the system's efficiency and economical functionality, resulting in a 100% utilisation of the modules installed.
Robert Raad, financial manager of Tenesa, attributes SYSPRO's success to the fact that it complements the company's manufacturing operation extremely well, offering a user-friendly business software alternative with a high degree of reliance place on data integrity. In comparison to other larger, more costly alternatives, Raad believes SYSPRO is well positioned.
Tenesa manufactures photovoltaic solar modules, mostly for export to the European market. Since 1999, Tenesa's sales have doubled every two years. The company employs 200 production contractors with 27 administrative staff.
Under the leadership of managing director Stephane Jallat, SYSPRO complements the synergy of this highly committed management team by providing pertinent information and control that allows the management team to focus on the critical areas of the business.
"A good business software application coupled with high levels of proficiency and 'buy in' is critical to the efficiency and success of the organisation," Raad says.
A SYSPRO user since 2000, Tenesa is currently running SYSPRO 6.0 Issue 008 and uses the following modules: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Cash Book, General Ledger, Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, Sales Analysis, Bill of Materials, Quotations, Work in Progress, Requirements Planning, Report Writer, Financial Report Writer and ODBC.
"Of all the packages we have evaluated, SYSPRO was the most suitable for our business growth strategy," Raad says. "SYSPRO's security, history and data are very well structured. Its high level of integration between the sub modules and the general ledger, coupled with the excellent inventory module that allows for FIFO and other methods of valuation, as well as the control of Import Bill of Entries for SARS requirements and maintenance of a bond store, has proved invaluable.
"In addition, the real-time control of production jobs through the WIP module and compatibility with peripheral scanning devices proves SYSPRO's versatility. The direct link between the data dictionary files and the company's Production and Quality Control database via ODBC further reduces the need for duplication."
A major challenge for Tenesa is the limitation of solar cell wastage, or scrap. Solar cells are the key raw material item in the manufacture of solar modules. The Work In Progress module is essential in monitoring and reducing the production job scrap factor by showing the number of cells required versus the actual number issued to a job. Any over-issue can be routinely communicated to management by triggering an automatic e-mail from SYSPRO.
SYSPRO's MRP modules advise Tenesa's users immediately of the shortage of material for a given order, and an automatic e-mail is generated when material stock levels reach both maximum and minimum levels.
Finally, aided by SYSPRO functionality, the accounting administration function is effectively controlled by Raad and his team.
"SYSPRO assists in making my function richly rewarding," Raad says. "As the financial manager whose portfolio includes the cost management function, I have more time for costing, planning, forecasting and to focus on the future strategy of the business. I'm sold on this package."
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