SAP system designed to lower retailer inventory levels and distribution costs, streamline operations, foster customer loyalty programs, and reduce sales costs
New Hampton, IA – August 28, 2002 – Soy Basics, LLC, a leading maker of soy-based candles, announced today that et alia, a leading ERP and supply chain consulting services firm, is teaming with them to build out the candlemaker’s enterprise system for financial management, EDI and customer relationship management (CRM) wireless order-entry for field representatives. The solution gives Soy Basics real-time access to customer demand information, compress the delivery time to retailers by approximately 60 percent, and dramatically lower inventory levels and distribution costs for both manufacturer and retailer.
"We are an entrepreneurial organization growing at more than 100 percent a year," said Jon Nicolaisen, Soy Basics president and chief operating officer. "Our primary objective is to keep pace with our growth and leverage emerging technologies that can help us build a more efficient manufacturing and supply chain environment. Soy Basics’ remote-based CRM system is a good example of this, arming our distribution network of manufacturing reps with tools that enable successful business collaboration."
et alia will develop an SAP scenario-based interactive wireless solution while using mySAP Mobile Business to effectively `push` and streamline data throughout the company and it’s extended enterprise - delivering a solution to support the company’s financial, CRM, distribution and logistics management initiatives. et alia will also host and manage the system remotely out of Milwaukee. Eventually, the system will be integrated with Soy Basics’ manufacturing execution system (MES) on the factory floor.
Retail-based Solution Reduces Costs, Delivers Benefits to End Customers
"This is such a win-win for Soy Basics and our participating distributors. With a fully-integrated system, we will be closer to our customers and reduce costs for our company as well as theirs. And, we can continually improve the way we develop and deliver our products – responding specifically to customer needs," stated Nicolaisen. "We will monitor and continue to reinvest in our business – twenty five percent of our revenue goes into research and development in order to bring new products to market that will perform well within our distribution channels."
In addition, Soy Basics will utilize Seeburger’s suite of information delivery solutions to quickly and effectively manage the large amounts of data that will now flow into and out of the organization. Seeburger, a provider of business integration software solutions, will integrate EDI capabilities into the SAP system, allowing Soy Basics to better communicate internally and with customers and vendors.
Remote Services Save Retailers Money and Time
et alia will build and deliver the system remotely via the Web, providing significant savings to Soy Basics that could not be realized through an on-site consulting arrangement. In addition, Soy Basics will have complete access to et alia consultants via the company’s Remote Online Consulting Service (ROCS), a patented Web-based consulting request and resolution tool designed for SAP customers who want to access expert mySAP.com consulting support as needed. ROCS is extremely cost-effective because clients pay for consulting services only when they request them.
"By building Soy Basics’ solution from a remote location and then providing them with subsequent technical support via the Web as well, we are significantly helping the organization manage its costs," said Paula Riley, director of et alia`s ROCS practice. "This unique remote approach also frees up their executives to focus on the needs of customers and supply chain partners, instead of on the day to day progress of their SAP implementation."
The remote consulting service enables clients to submit consulting requests through the ROCS Web site and receive mySAP.com solutions and answers from et alia`s team of experienced SAP professionals. The secure ROCS Website supports the consulting process as a documentation database and a dialogue facilitator, eliminating the need for clients to receive information through email. ROCS also serves as a critical support component to ensure ongoing return on IT investments as organizations move forward with SAP-based ERP, supply chain, and CRM initiatives, as well as Web-enabled projects that cannot afford stop-gaps or delays.
About Soy Basics, LLC
Soy Basics, LLC is a leading maker of soy-waxed candles with a soybean oil base. Based in New Hampton, Iowa, Soy Basics, LLC distributes more than 300 products to major gift shops, major chain stores and showrooms throughout the United States. Unlike Paraffin-based candles, Soy Basics’ candles are unique because they burn slow and clean (soot-free), contain no carcinogens or toxins upon burning, and are 100% biodegradable.
About et alia, LLC et alia is a premier mySAP.com consulting group focusing on implementing, upgrading and optimizing SAP systems. The company is an authorized sales agent of itelligence, Inc., licensed to sell mySAP.com software in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin and is a certified SAP Channel Partner Service Provider. et alia employs senior-level consultants in all areas of SAP and New Dimension Products with expertise in the Business Information Warehouse (BW) for data warehousing and Advanced Planner and Optimizer (APO) for supply chain management. et alia offers an innovative and refreshing approach to consulting services, project management and end-user education and has a wide variety of industry experience. For more information about et alia, visit www.et-alia.com, send an email to info@et-alia.com, or call us at 800.404.8002.
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