Softlink technology to help logistics firms cut costs, boost growth
Thursday, 27 March 2014 00:00
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A leader in cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for the logistics industry Softlink Global (India) Ltd., last week wooed Lankan firms in the sector to benefit from new technology that helps win more customers by cutting costs and boosting growth.
A presentation of Softlink’s solutions was made over breakfast at an event organised by Datamation Systems, Sri Lanka’s pioneering ERP system providers since 1986 which has partnered with Softlink to provide world-class, cloud-based computing solutions to the Logistics industry in Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Softlink Global CEO Amit Maheswari said that the company’s focus is on delivering information technology solutions to bring down logistics costs in Sri Lanka thereby accelerate growth for firms.
Using a study done by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Amit said cost of logistics in Sri Lanka as a percentage of GDP was relatively high at 23% in comparison to some of the Asia countries and the average of 15%.
“Higher logistic costs certainly impact growth and the world class cloud-based ERP system is highly beneficial to reduce costs and improve efficiency overall,” emphasised Amit, an engineer and who was once a freight forwarder but started the IT solutions firm based on the industry needs.
“We help logistics companies to achieve and manage growth by implementing innovative and super technology solutions,” he added. “We automate and streamline processes, ensure lower costs and increased margins, keeping both the customer happy as well as the logistics firm profitable.”
Softlink suite of products spans all stages of international logistics and trade lifecycle. Its solutions benefit freight forwarders, transporters, warehousing companies, NVOCCs, Customs House agents, IATA agents, importers and exporters.
The Mumbai headquartered Softlink was established in 1988. It is present in 15 regional and global locations spanning the US, Americas, Europe, South East Asia to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Its global design, development and support centre is in India. According to Amit, Softlink has the largest customer base among all software solution providers in logistics industry.
“We have over 60,000 satisfied users in over 3,000 organisations,” he said adding that highest degree of customer satisfaction with 98% customers retained.
Amit also said that logistics industry stands to benefit from Softlink ERP solutions which delivers what he describe as the “Power of ICE” - integrate, control and empower.
Via Softlink’s ERP, firms can integrate operations, branches, customers, business partners as well as finance functions. It helps companies to control cost, operations, finance, sales and other resources.
Amit said the empowerment comes via anytime, anywhere solutions, empowering employees, managers, CEOs and customers.
Softlink Senior Manager Bhavesh Solanki said the Company’s ERP solution branded “Logi-Sys” is an easy to use online Cloud ERP platform for logistics industry and helps firms to organise their operations and financial accounting in one platform. “It helps integrate all branch offices in single system enabling users to access it anytime and from anywhere,” Bhavesh said.
Among Softlink ERP system’s features are seamless integration of Sales, Billing, Accounts, Transportation, Warehousing, Reporting modules to eliminate duplication of data entry and reduce direct operation costs; cloud connectivity and low cost of implementation – cheap and quick access via any broadband connection with no requirement for servers or an IT department, and no need for high end machines, or recurring investment on upgrades; global accessibility – access reports and details of any branches in network from any portable device; paperless document management – store and email all data/documents on the cloud and access anytime in the future whilst reducing carbon footprint; reporting – dashboards, automated email and report scheduling ensures information reaches at the right time, with just the information customised to suit decision making style; built-in approval system – speeds up internal delivery process and in process-checks during that can be approved from anywhere; customer visibility – retain more customers by giving them online cargo tracking updates, ask for rates, make their own booking, view payment details, check their inventory status, etc.
It also provides credit control – minimise shadow credit, block customers exceeding limits, and manage working capital more efficiently and Return on Investment – vastly increase the productivity of managers, quickly scalable with business growth, and see immediate bottom line impact.
Special guest at the event, John Keells Holdings President Romesh David who was a former President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Sri Lanka, said that serious commitment from the top of the organisation is critical for a successful implementation of ERP solutions.
He said that in business, technology has changed rapidly but some fundamentals haven’t. It was pointed out that usually when ERP is mentioned the immediate response was to describe it as an IT Department responsibility whereas this shouldn’t be the ideal case. “For ERP to be successful, the CEO must be engaged from day one. So I strongly believe a CEO-led commitment and not a CIO or CFO-led initiative is key for successful ERP solutions in any firm,” David emphasised.
He recalled that when John Keells Holdings (JKH) embraced one of the biggest SAP projects in the region, the Chairman led the Project Team.
The importance of users/groups knowing the existing solutions thoroughly before embracing new solutions was also stressed. “This ensures greater understanding and effective implementation,” he said adding that firms must also demonstrate an openness to change since ERP leads to a dramatic change for the better. “Firms must have a change management process too in parallel to rolling out of ERP solutions,” David added.
To better serve the Sri Lankan logistics industry, Softlink partner Datamation has appointed Ilham Reyaz as Senior Consultant for Logistics ERP. Ilham brings in over 10 years experience directly from the logistic industry having worked as a Senior Director in a multinational logistics firm. His experience includes implementing ERP’s, business process efficiency management, establishing KPI’s and HRM. He also has established profit centres, which includes large-scale 3PL warehousing facilities overseas.
