Torrent Pharma: Torrid Performance

Jyoti Bandopadhyay, Torrent Pharma

Torrent Pharmaceuticals, the flagship company of the Ahmedabad based 2,800

crore Torrent group, commands a strong presence in the cardiovascular (CV) and

central nervous system (CNS) segment. The company has also carved a space in the

gastro-intestinal, diabetology, anti-infective and pain management segment.

This year, the company has successfully deployed SAP R/3 4.7 at a cost of Rs

8 crore across its entire gamut of business locations globally, and integrated

it with its sales force automation solution. The sales force solution developed

in-house caters to a 2000 strong field force with the underlying principle of

anywhere computing and is interlinked with the SAP R/3. As a result, Torrent is

expecting an increase of 10% topline growth and 4-6% bottomline growth, over a

period of three years.

The ERP sits on Oracle 9i, with the OS at the server level being IBM's AIX

and Windows XP and 2000 running at the desktop level. Deployed across more than

300 users, it has been implemented at more than 40 locations in India comprising

of 15 contract manufacturers, two factories and 25 Clearing and Forwarding

(C&F) agents. The ERP deployment was completed within the budgeted cost and

time, with SAP and IBM providing the technical support.

Torrent has also implemented a scientific data management system through

Nugenesis System integrating approximately 150 instruments, combining LIMS and

document management and subsequent regulatory reporting. The company has also

established the environment workflow automation through the usage of Intranet

based knowledge management system. This supports higher productivity, clinical

trial and new product launch utilizing Web-enabled content management/middleware

and Business Intelligence tools. Other key automated processes in the company

include sales and operation planning environment confined to 5000 stockists, 70

C&F agents, 2000 field staff and 6 factories. A call center is also being

planned to support customers and the field force.

Key Highlights - Successfully deployed SAP R/3 4.7 at a cost of Rs 8 crore - Sales force solution developed in-house - Outsourced information systems security consulting to EcomEnable Future Plans - A call center is being planned to support customers and the field force

Incidentally, the company has outsourced its information systems security

consulting to EcomEnable. The offerings include review of current and future IT

Infrastructure and security risk assessment, design of network architecture

& risk mitigation strategy, security policy design, implementation &

training as well as post implementation audit & pre-certification support.

The security policy is designed and implemented in accordance with BS 7799

standards. The project is primarily based in Ahmedabad and includes Torrent's

corporate office at Ahmedabad, plant in Indrad, and its C&F Agent in the

city.