In a little more than two years, the 40-year-old Dubai Refreshments Co. has transformed itself from a business that almost lacked any semblance of IT (except for 20 stand-alone PCs) to become one of the more sophisticated high-tech operations in the UAE. Dubai Refreshments now boasts 24x7 IP surveillance cameras, an end-to-end ERP system, real-time data monitoring and a mobile workforce automation solution.
Today, over 180 networked workstations and PCs are linked by a fiber-optic network that enables off-site connectivity to laptops, provides automatic on-screen transfer of voice-mail and delivers daily sales reports by 7:30 the following morning.
Biometric palm-print scanning controls employee access instead of traditional security passes and a computerized stock-monitoring system constantly updates key information on the various soft drink brands, distribution outlets, and delivery routes.
After deciding undergo a complete IT makeover, management hired its first information technology manager, GV Rao, from PepsiCo Inc. in Saudi Arabia. In under 12 months, Dubai Refreshments decided to rip and replace its entire network, connectivity and enterprise applications. Today, a full-fledged IT department consisting of four software engineers, two hardware/networking professionals and a team of six data entry operators supports the system.
?We?ve achieved a great deal in a relatively short time,? said Rao, whose employer is the sole franchisee and distributor for PepsiCo products in Dubai and Northern Emirates.
The technology road map was drawn up to take the company through the transformation in a phased yet quick fashion. The segments that were part of the key plan were ERP (from Oracle Corp.), enabling a fibre optic network (complete with firewalls, Cisco Systems Inc. routers and Baystack switches), installing high-performance servers (HP Proliant rack-mounted) and enable sales force automation for better distribution and delivery (Intermec 700 series mobile solution).
?The new management of DRC did not want to waste any time on the IT overhaul," said Rao. "We wanted ROI quickly. So it was a big bang all the way, but of course in a phased fashion."
The company budgeted $1 million for the ERP implementation, which Oracle completely handled.
?We really pushed the capabilities of our dedicated resources to the edge with this implementation," said Rao. "Hyperlink (our SI for Oracle) also played a big role and we also spent close to half a million dollars on recruiting temporary resources to manage the project as well."
The project was completed in November 2003 and linked close to 50 users on the system.
?The big decision we had to take with the ERP implementation was whether to go for a Tier I or Tier II solution," said Rao. "We decided on Tier I as a corporate decision because Pepsi world over runs on Oracle. But the big advantage we found thereon in Oracle was that the applications came pre-integrated with best practice and KPIs were built in,? said Rao.
The company opted for a stand-alone BI solution because of the specific functionalities and tools it offered. ?Just by keeping all brand performance metrics up-to-date, the system provides vital management data that gives executives greater insight into decision-making,? he said.
Gain better visibility
With the company having an end-to-end fibre optic network manned by high-performance switches and servers, the IT department was keen to use the network"s power to layer other uses and applications. Enabling a 24x7 IP-based video surveillance enabled the IT department and the management to view the operations across its warehouse in Sharjah and its plant in Dubai.
A sales force automation solution enabling Dubai Refreshments" distribution staff and trucks to receive and upload data and information in real time was included in the IT makeover.
The company selected ruggedized mobility solution from Intermec Technologies Corp. and will use its mobile computers, printers and software across its fleet. The mobility solution is expected to streamline the company"s supply chain.