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Birtas Kablo to gain efficiency with ERP

Birtas Kablo realized an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project with Senkron, one of Turkey's successful software houses. With this project where the Prometrik ERP solution was used, all business processes of Birtas Kablo became controllable from a single point. We talked with Hakan Bulbul, Deputy Director General, Birtas Kablo, and Mehmet Yildizdogan, Development Department Director, Senkron Yazilim.

What kind of a project did you realize at Birtas Kablo?
At Birtas Kablo, we have realized an ERP project where manufacturing and sales processes are managed. We have established a system with which we can get maximum benefit with minimum cost, minimize user mistakes, and measure every step of manufacturing and sales.

Why did you need such a project?
We had a tailor-made software created 15 years ago before the Prometrik ERP application. But this software would not meet our changing needs. Our system was very open to user mistakes, and it was a problem for us to find where mistakes came from. Since the current system was only used by our central office, we used to have some communication flaws. Instead of a new software, we needed a complete system.

What is your goal with this project?
With this project, we aim at monitoring and measuring all processes of our mission which is to offer the most quality products and services for corporate and individual customers while increasing consumers' quality awareness. The ERP application is an important tool for this purpose.

Can you compare pre- and post-implementation?
After the implementation, we have begun to reach every information about our suppliers and customers within the shortest time. Since we can see supplier products in a comparative way, user mistakes are eliminated, and all processes can be monitored. Every kind of documentation is only a click away, and no time is wasted with files. Because manufacturing and sales have to make transactions according to the steps in the system, inconsistency among departments is eliminated. With the efficient user authority limitation, more active and useful utilization is possible.

What benefits does the project provide for the customers of Birtas Kablo?
As we have migrated to a barcode system with this project, using the lot information on our products, we can understand when the product was produced, who produced it, at which machine it was produced and which supplier provided the materials. Since we can find the reason of a product-related problem swiftly, we can make the required corrections. Of course, the most important thing is, as there is no difference between the products entered during ordering and the products delivered, our delivery mistakes were cancelled out, and stock and material monitoring has become more efficient and reliable.

Why did you choose Senkron and Prometrik?
We met with many companies when we started looking for an ERP solution. There were local and global companies. The ERP companies offered solutions for general purposes, but we required a specific solution that would meet only the needs of the cable industry. We also met with companies which served only the cable industry. We decided that the Prometrik solution met our needs. At the same time, with its flexible structure, it met our company's needs. As you know, it is difficult to disaccustom users in companies where the same software has been used for a long time. However, with the technical support Senkron provided, we migrated swiftly to the Prometrik system. We could reach Senkron consultants whenever we needed. The technical support team worked with us till the late hours as if they were our own personnel. At the end of the project, we conceived that we did the right choice.

Can you mention the project process and scope?
Yildizdogan: Birtas Kablo wanted to monitor all processes form a single point, prevent communication flaws between departments, access information whenever wanted, and increase productivity. For this reason, we made an agreement that encompasses all modules of the Prometrik ERP solution. These modules are: Materials and Warehouse Management, Purchasing Management, Sales Management, Customer Relationship Management, Production Management, Planning, Quality Control, Cost, Maintenance Management, Finance, Accounting and Automatic Data Collection from Production.

The decision for the project was made in November 2008. The basic modules were planned to be implemented in 2 months' time. It was a challenging timetable. However, thanks to the systematic and devoted work of Birtas and Senkron project teams, the basic modules became live by the new year.

What kind of an experience did Senkron achieve from the Birtas Kablo project?
Yildizdogan: In such projects, contribution by both teams, namely the vendor's team and the customer's team, is very important for the success of the project. No matter how good the ERP solution is, if the management and the future users of the solution do not fulfill their responsibilities at the customer side, the project cannot bring the targeted value-add. At Birtas Kablo, the performance of the management during the project was marvellous. This performance was one of the most important factors that ensured achieving the desired level in the project.