WESTERN INTERNATIONAL GOES HITECH WITH SAP


11th August 2011
The group signs up for eWMS, a first in the Middle East


Western International has become the latest group to embrace technology to improve internal systems as well as provide better service platforms to customers.

The group, which has launched brands like GEEPAS Electronics, GEEPAS Mobile, ROYALFORD Kitchen & tableware, YOUNGLIFE Garments & Innerwear, NESTO & AL WAFA Retail, CLARKFORD Watches, NON STROP, JUDGER & DR.WALK footwear and PARAJOHN luggage, has of late been involved in streamlining internal verticals and hiring professionals to head their operational functions as part of their Corporatization program. The program is intended at revitalizing the fortunes of the group and also to galvanize its expansion plans.

  
Mr. K P Basheer
 The group has successfully implemented the SAP connectivity considering long term business requirements and scalability in mind. “The SAP augmented system would come handy as we steadily expand our business into new territories and segments, said Mr. K P Basheer, Chairman of the group. The much talked about GEEPAS Mobile range launched recently is part of the expansion to the group’s brand portfolio, he added.

It has helped in establishing a centralized control so that varied businesses at geographically distant locations can be controlled and managed easily, said the Group Director, Mr. T N Nizar.

Mr. T N Nizar
Mr. Dev Kumar, the Group Finance Head and one of the Lead players in this technology upgradation program said, “We now have a centralized data base to streamline the entire gamut of business functions from Sales, Distribution, and Inventory planning to financial analysis.”
SAP connectivity has provided a rigid system for credit Management and keeps a constant check on the whether the established norms with respect to credits are being adhered to and helps financial planning and budgetary controls.


It must be noted that it is the first time in the Middle East that a group is incorporating the acclaimed eWMS System as part of the SAP Program. eWMS is a "true" multi-warehouse/owner system that is designed to work in a paper or paperless environment. A web-based Warehouse Management system, eWMS provides companies with on-line, "real-time" insight into their warehouse operations and inventory availability.

Mr. Dev Kumar
 Architected for e-Business, with the use of JAVA, XML and other technologies, EWMS promotes visibility and the exchange of information amongst employees, customers, distributors, vendors and manufacturers. Intuitive by design, eWMS allows management and its users to become more proactive in their planning and decision making process with event-driven processing and intelligent messaging capabilities that result in operational efficiency and effective management on a global basis. 

eWMS incorporates key functionality: random and/or fixed bin locations, automatic put away /picking and replenishment, ASN's, task interleaving, lot tracking, code dating, temperature / humidity control, catch weight, kitting, QA processing, recall capabilities, multiple billing options, true multi-owner inventory at the item level, warehouse mechanized equipment interfaces, and much more, adds Dev Kumar.





Mr. E. Sreenath
Today, thanks to SAP, we also have an effective MIS to keep the management informed, which helps them arrive at the right decisions within the shortest time possible, added Mr. E. Sreenath, Finance Head of the Group’s Retail Division, NESTO, who spearheaded the go live process along with the IT Head, Mr. Lenish Kannan who said that the Customer Service tool has facilitated in serving our customers better and faster as we are able to achieve efficiency with respect to optimizing the inventory through proper planning and reordering systems put in place.
 
 
 
Mr. Lenish Kannan
 Western International Group’s foray into business started 28 years ago. They launched GEEPAS, a popular enmasse brand in Electronics in the Middle East market which was controlled by Multinational brands. GEEPAS Electronics, has today grown into one of the world’s largest Electronic product portfolio with over 1450 products in Consumer Electronics, Entertainment Electronics, Home appliances, White goods and Personal Care gadgets,   
 Within a span of 12 years, GEEPAS has already served over 120 Million customers with an established footprint in 82 countries across the globe with active own retail presence in 10 countries. At a time when only Multinational brands ruled the Electronics Business sphere, GEEPAS brought about a sea change in the thinking patterns of global businesses who watched in fascination how a company could launch a brand which is affordable to the common man while providing world class service support.

Today WESTERN INTERNATIONAL GROUP employs over 3000 employees through its various businesses and is all set to add another 2000 in the coming year through rapid expansion programs.

“We have managed to reach this far because we believed in ourselves and a pocket friendly policy for our customers” concludes Chairman, Mr. Basheer, who attributes the success of the group to his dedicated employees.

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