INDUSTRY WATCH
Eager to set its standing position amongst prestigious airlines in the region , we have launched two mobile applications this year , namely : Saudia Mobile Connection and Saudia Connect .
The Zaker Trading is a one-stopshop for specialised products and accessories in welding , lifting , safety , power tools , abrasives , and other engineering-related products . Since its establishment in 1987 , it has become a major contributor to the recent and ongoing developments in oil and gas and infrastructural set-up in the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) countries . By combining experience , knowledge of local industrial requirements , practices , and appreciation from its customer base , Zaker Trading believes it services their customers in the best possible way . Today , Zaker Trading and its associated companies deliver state-of-the-art products and consumables to various Middle East-based industrial customers through its network of offices , showrooms , and multiple warehouses in the UAE and across the GCC region .
Old system inhibits growth In business for over 25 years , Zaker Trading had what can best be described as an archaic accounting system . Firstly , the existing system did not provide visibility across functional areas , and as such , most departments functioned in silos with minimal integration and exchange of information . Secondly , the system was very basic and required a lot of manual steps , as evidenced in the quotation process . What should have taken just a few clicks was a cumbersome , manual , and time-consuming process for the sales engineers .
With the old system , the sales engineers first had to generate the quote , then take it over to their managers for approval before sending to the customer . As the company expanded its operations and grew exponentially , it became painfully obvious to the directors of the company , that the incumbent system
IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 25 YEARS , ZAKER TRADING HAD WHAT CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS AN ARCHAIC ACCOUNTING SYSTEM . FIRSTLY , THE EXISTING SYSTEM DID NOT PROVIDE VISIBILITY ACROSS FUNCTIONAL AREAS , AND AS SUCH , MOST DEPARTMENTS FUNCTIONED IN SILOS WITH MINIMAL INTEGRATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION . SECONDLY , THE SYSTEM WAS VERY BASIC AND REQUIRED A LOT OF MANUAL STEPS , AS EVIDENCED IN THE QUOTATION PROCESS
would not afford them the flexibility or scalability that the business demanded . To this end , the directors initiated the process of changing to an effective ERP ( enterprise resource planning ) system .
As Charles Jesudason , group general manager explains , “ At Zaker Trading , we have a small team and a limited product offering , and so our success hinges on us efficiently managing our physical and human resources . Having integration and visibility across the various functional areas , offering exceptional customer service , smart inventory management and capacity planning , and ensuring short delivery times , are critical success www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO
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