[Business ICT]

Singer invests US$ 100 m on ERP implementation

IFS Sri Lanka completed the roll out of country’s largest web based ERP implantation for the entire branch network of Singer Sri Lanka recently.

Singer has also chosen IFS Sri Lanka to implement this ERP system for their operations in Thailand, Pakistan and Bangladesh .Singer regional implementation is a historic milestone for the IT industry in Sri Lanka as the implementation is purely handled by Sri Lankan Consultants and Engineers.

Manager, Consulting Services Project Director Singer Regional Implementation IFS Sri Lanka Poorna Bandara told Daily News Business Singer has an extensive of branch network comprising over 390 branches.

This project brings the entire branch network online in an ERP environment and it will facilitate different functions such as sales, accounting, HR, warehousing and after sale service of Singer, he said.

Singer Sri Lanka invested USD 100 million for the project and this web based ERP implementation helps the company to reduce the operation costs by more than 20 per cent.

Singer now has control-room mode of operation where the total chain of retail and wholesale network is monitored and controlled from head-office online. The new system enables employees to work using laptops and mobile phones at their homes he said.

“IFS Sri Lanka is equipped with R& D facility with over 700 engineers in Sri Lanka and this helped us to work closely with Singer Sri Lanka for implementing the project. This is a competitive advantage for IFS since most of our competitors in the region operate through their local partners in Sri Lanka”, he said.

Bandara said according to AMI New York IT spending in retail sector is estimated to be USD 11.6B in Asia-Pacific with 20per cent year-on-year growth rate. This shows there is a huge growth potential in this region for companies like IFS Sri Lanka. Web based ERP implementation for Singer will enable the company to explore more opportunities in the region.

Talking about the Lankan market Bandara said most of the local companies are now keen on ERP systems for reducing their operational costs. “We have noticed that most of the companies are going for ERP implementations”, he said. - AS

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Hi-tech protection for mobile phones, vehicles and homes

Jayasri JAYAKODY

The mobile phone today had become invaluable to the modern lifestyle and the loss of a mobile phone with one’s personal data can be a security risk. With the Micro LMTS technology (Lost Mobile Tracking System) introduced by I Systems, once a mobile phone is lost, the original owner can find out the location of the phone.

Furthermore, with this technology, the original owner can retrieve all personal data stored in the phone and even if the SIM card of the original owner is removed from the phone, he has the ability to lock the phone. All these facilities can be obtained from I Systems.

I Systems have also introduced the Micro VBB (Vehicle Black Box) system for the security of your vehicle. When this system is installed, the vehicle owner can send a SMS message via his mobile phone disabling the operating system of the vehicle at will, and if the bonnet, the boot or the doors of the vehicle is opened without the consent of owner, he will receive a SMS message at once informing him of the unauthorised tampering.

The owner can disable the engine of the vehicle from any where in the world via SMS, and the vehicle, if stolen, can be located through the VBB security system. The system has two way communications enabling the owner to listen to any conversation being held inside the vehicle. Any attempt to remove this security system from the vehicle will result in a SMS message to the owner.

The Micro HHS - SSS (Home Security System - Shop Security System) introduced by I Systems is installed at your home, office or shop, any unauthorised forcing or opening of the doors and windows will result in you being informed via SMS.

You have the ability to turn off the electrical appliances in the premises at will with a SMS message and you will get information about gas leaks and fire alarms. Sirens will sound at an attempt to unauthorised entry to the premises.

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Micro-Star International partners with PC House

Sri Lankas’ IT solutions provider, PC House, the subsidiary of PCH Holdings joined hands with Micro - Star International Co., Ltd, (MSI), a specialist in design and manufacture of motherboards, add-on cards, servers/workstations, barebones, communication devices, CE products and notebooks recently with the intention to introduce the latest, chic notebook product line.

The MSI “Wind Notebook” has selected Intel’s energy-saving processor Atom, equipped with a 10 inch screen, and approximately 1 Kg in weight. MSI has introduced a power saving innovation called ECO engine.

This can provide various modes by simulating one’s usage scenario to control the power consumption resulting in battery with minimum cells and yet can still provide good performance on extended time.

CEO Micro-Star International Co., Ltd, Taiwan Carlos Chuan, said “PC House has been selected as the sole value added distributor for MSI notebooks in Sri Lanka purely on its track record and its position in the Sri Lankan market.

“We will continuously support the local IT solutions provider in marketing research, innovative product development and training to enhance customer experience.

We will be anticipating a growth of 10 per cent market share by the 2H year 2008”, Chuan said.

Chairman of PCH Holdings S.H.M. Rishan, said “We are fulfilling our mission in providing the Sri Lankan IT sector with the newest and innovative technology in par with developed countries.

Today we are the business partner in Sri Lanka for many prestigious international brands. The partnership with MSI is yet another step in creating the bridge of high quality products to Sri Lanka. We continue to add on techniques and processes to accommodate the best solutions satisfying our stakeholders.”

“Comparing with the desktop there has being a 50-60 per cent rapid increase in notebook users in Sri Lanka last year”, said Chief Operating Officer, PC Partner Ltd M. M. M Thufail.

“We have identified these changes and have understood the importance constant product development, I believe the expansion with MSI will be a definite advantage for our team in providing the best for our customers”, he said.

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Oracle Asia Pacific, Japan reports strong customer momentum

Full Fiscal Year 2008 US GAAP Revenues in Asia Pacific & Japan Increase by 26% over FY07 to US $3.2 Billion as more customers choose oracle solutions over competitor offerings.

Organisations of all sizes in Asia Pacific and Japan continue to choose Oracle’s standards-based software solutions to replace legacy, proprietary systems to optimize performance and lower costs.

Customers continue to adopt or expand implementations of Oracle Database, Oracle Fusion Middleware and Oracle Applications for their strategic company-wide IT systems, with growth in demand from key industries including financial services, government, education, healthcare, telecommunications, utilities, manufacturing, retail and distribution.