Hong Kong Computer Society - enterpriseinnovation.net

CASESTUDY
ERP helps standardize workflow at Jackel
Jackel is now deploying a new ERP system in phases for real-time data and workflow integration
The lack of workflow integration
and system silos were problems
facing Hong Kong-based Jackel
Group.
Jackel Group provides firms in the beauty
industry with offerings in components,
packaging, and filling as well as services
from product design and engineering all
the way to manufacturing, filling, packaging,
assembly, quality assurance, trade
financing, warehousing, distribution, marketing,
and after-sales services.
The company used a trading system for
handling order processing and managing
finance process, according to Alvin Wong,
IT manager at Jackel Group. However, the
system wasn’t capable of coping with Jackel’s
growth, said Wong.
As business volume
kept growing, Jackel felt
a strong need for an easyto-customize
ERP system
silos
that can help integrate
workflows and manage
the resources of product
lifecycles from design,
manufacturing to delivery
to the buyers’ doorsteps,
supply chain
Wong noted. The firm
picked Microsoft Dynamics
AX because of its higher flexibility
when it comes to customization, said
Wong, adding that this would minimize
workflow changes within the firm.
Three-phase implementation
Starting in August 2007, the first phase
implementation of the ERP modules—including
order processing, logistics, inventory
management, and finance—was completed
in January this year, said Wong,
adding that more than 50 employees have
Challenge: Lack of
workflow integration; system
By Teresa Leung
used these modules since then.
The company is now in secondphase
implementation. When completed
in January 2010, the system
will allow 50 additional staffers
to use modules including project
management and management of
sub-contracting quality control,
said Wong.
In October 2010 when the third
phase is expected to complete, another 100
employees will become users of the new
production management module, he said.
ERP-driven cultural changes
Despite the minimal workflow changes
involved, the new ERP system will bring
changes to Jackel’s
work culture, said veteran
ERP consultant
Kidd Wong, who is
providing consultancy
services during the
ERP implementation.
“One major change
is that users now have
to keep updating data
so that real-time data
will be available to all
different departments,”
said Kidd Wong. “Besides, users must follow
guidelines and steps [when updating
the data] to achieve data and workflow
standardization.”
Tech: Microsoft Dynamics AX
Benefit: Efficient cost
control, decision making,
and management of projects,
operations, logistics, and
Centralized data
As the real-time data is now stored centrally
in one place rather than in different
departments’ systems, project tracking
and management are much easier and effective,
said Kidd Wong.
Centralized real-time data also means
Left: Kidd Wong; Right: Alvin Wong
more efficient month-end closing that has
been shortened to 10 days compared with
two months before, Kidd Wong added.
When it comes to logistics, staffers are
able to respond to changes immediately
and ensure on-time delivery of products to
customers, he noted.
The new ERP system also allows more
effective cost control. “The availability of
real-time data and integrated workflows
enable managers to know the purchase
costs of materials or goods,” said Kidd
Wong. “This allows them to take actions
before purchases are confirmed if they
aren’t justifiable.”
In addition, the deployment also increases
the visibility of the company’s
supply chain. “All purchase orders can be
viewed on the system, which alerts managers
when materials aren’t delivered on
time,” said Alvin Wong.
The new ERP system’s reporting tools
allow users to easily generate different
kinds of reports for executives to speed up
their decision-making process.
Although Jackel expects more implementation
challenges at phase three because
of the higher number of users involved
and the greater gap between users
in terms of computer skills, the firm believes
it will continue to benefit from the
deployment, Wong concluded. 3
46 Computerworld Hong Kong Nov 2009 www.cw.com.hk