Accelerating with IT

On the recent initiatives

Over the last two years we have rolled out a Supply Chain Automation
connecting the dealers at one end and suppliers on the other, using the modules
of SRM and CRM of mySAP suite. The business need was to make the entire value
chain more efficient, reduce stocks and costs, and generally be more responsive
to the market needs. On the Business Intelligence front, we have implemented
SAPs BiW. The objective was to make MIS more focused and aid decision-making.
With features like aggregation, drill down and multi dimensional analysis we
wanted to get down to root causes and solve problems and take informed
decisions.

SR Balasubramanian

We also have a document management system that uses Lotus Domino. Efforts are
on towards a paper less office that covers our legal cell and human resources.
Meanwhile, the digital assets management solution uses Mediabin from Interwoven.
We have converted our marketing and publicity material for easy access to all
authorized in different marketing offices and in aiding various marketing
campaigns.

On IT as an enabler

Supply Chain-Both dealers and vendors, transact with ease and there is
much better planning at both ends. Stocks are lower and there are no hold-ups in
the manufacturing area. The second major technology impact we derived was from
Business Intelligence. BI facilitated instant information availability and
hastened better decision-making. Now we go beyond routine reporting, diagnose
problems and solve them.

On measuring the IT value

We believe in identifying business advantages derived and get direct user
feedback to the management. The annual business plan approved by the CEO is the
benchmark and all assignments are evaluated against the business purpose defined
in the beginning. We refrain from working out RoI, as we consider it an exercise
of only academic importance. Quick execution of projects and serving the defined
objectives are the measures.

On relationship with vendors

Our relationship with vendors is on the same line as is practiced in the
automotive industry. Vendors are our long-term partners and the relationship is
based on trust. At the same time we scan the external environment and retain the
option of trying other vendors if they deliver better value.