Johannesburg, 23 Mar 2006
TrenTyre, the largest distribution network of Goodyear rubber products in South Africa, has implemented Omnix, an integrated financial ERP system developed in South Africa for the local market by Cape-based Progress Software partner I-Soft Solutions.
Established in 1948, TrenTyre is a supplier to the southern African mining and transport industries. The company chose to implement Omnix to provide it with a platform for growth, and enable its people to focus on selling tyres profitably, rather than trying to move stock by cutting prices. This required putting TrenTyre`s branches online, and centralising the company`s financial system.
"Omnix gives our sales people and business managers the information they need to close sales and increase turnover," says Jonathan Stones, director, information technology and business development at Goodyear Holdings. "For the first time our branches can exercise proper credit, stock and purchasing controls. Because it is real-time, the system allows our staff to find stock for waiting customers at neighbouring branches."
With Omnix in place, TrenTyre`s ERP system now automatically generates orders to replenish stock as tyres are sold. Individual business managers can specify what quantities and types of tyres their branch should always have in stock. Goodyear, in turn, automatically delivers tyres to suppliers within 24 hours.
TrenTyre chose Omnix to replace its outdated in-house system. Omnix can be tailored to individual user requirements, without locking users into a specific version of the product, and can run both GUI and character terminals simultaneously. It does not require massive bandwidth to run on wide area networks, thus making it very easy to have an online system to a central server.
TrenTyre`s branches use Omnix`s point-of-sale system, and are all online to the company`s head office, which makes use of the full suite of programs to run the business, including Inventory, Order Entry and Invoicing, Purchase Order, and Manufacturing/Costing.
Implemented over a period of six months, the system has 350 concurrent users countrywide. A comprehensive user-controlled password system allows the system administrator to selectively password-protect against unauthorised access, using any option on any menu. Users can be defined in terms of their security profiles. They can either share a similar environment where access to certain programs is allowed, or individually they can gain access to a unique environment.
Check stock in other branches
TrenTyre`s Stones says the system has enabled staff to check stock in other branches without having to phone the help-desk; debtor problems are quicker and easier to resolve; invoicing and stock check has been simplified; and access to information has been vastly improved.
The system has also provided all branches with two e-mail addresses, and enables users to access the Internet through their terminals so that they can obtain information and keep up to date with developments at Goodyear and in the broader tyre industry. A number of HR functions have also been incorporated into the system, including time and attendance registers which are linked to the payroll.
The system offers many useful housekeeping functions that simplify operations and protect data integrity. These include: automatic backp and restore functions, a built-in print spooler, system tables maintenance, a full set of utilities, ability to change screen layouts (GUI), and user-defined posting types. Online help, standard menus, operator prompts, overlaid enquiries, data entry defaults and simple, operating instructions facilitate productivity in a live environment.
Printed output in the form of reports and documents can be directly faxed by the software through a fax server, reviewed on screen in full 132-column mode, or sent to any printer on the network.
All modules include the facility to send and receive e-mail from the Omnix menu.
Sue Clague, director of I-Soft Solutions, says the Omnix implementation proceeded smoothly, with I-Soft customising the point of sale for TrenTyre`s specific requirements over a 12-month period. "TrenTyre has invested in the improvements we have made to Omnix, working with us to make it an even better product.
"Supporting our customers` vision is the philosophy behind Omnix`s development, so user input forms the cornerstone of the product. We believe the application must support the way in which customers choose to operate. As a result, the product is regularly refined and modified in response to user requests."
Omnix was developed in the Progress environment, an important consideration for TrenTyre, as the company required a stable and robust system. Because Omnix is Progress-based, organisations can confidently entrust their critical operations to the system, says Rick Parry, MD of Progress Software South Africa. "Progress applications are accessible any time, from any device, and with features that reduce costs, increase revenue and create clear competitive advantages," he says. "Progress is also an ideal environment for online transaction-based business applications."
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