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Multis
Group
This Epilogue was written in October, 2003, after
a telephone interview with Albert Mannion, Group Financial
Controller, Multis Group. It's purpose is to review
progress since the original Case Study, which was produced
in the first quarter of 2002.
General
update
Multis
Group is a remanufacturer of high-end computer equipment
for the second-use market. Much of the work undertaken
by Multis is for large multinational IT brand manufacturers.
The organisation's eBusiness project focused on it developing
and implementing a system that allowed more efficient
tracking and management of the inventory it managed
on behalf of its OEM customers. The system went live
on November 2nd, 2001.
The
expansion and development of the Multis client base
necessitated managing diverse business and transaction
models. In early 2002 Compaq computers were merged with
Hewlett Packard. The eBusiness investment enabled Multis
to demonstrate flexibility and scalability to accommodate
the changes required by this transition. This was a
key factor in securing an ongoing relationship with
the new business partners. It was also a significant
competitive advantage in securing new business with
Sun Microsystems.
According
to Albert Mannion, Group Financial Controller at Multis
Group, the system allowed the organisation to meet and
exceed the expectations of its new customers during
a time of great change. Without this system in place
the investment required in resources to process the
increased volume and diversity of transactions would
have been significant, and a risk to competitiveness.
Multis
are now positioned to seamlessly integrate their business
system with major ERP systems such as Oracle and SAP.
Available Measures of Success
With
little operating cost increase the new business system
put in place has allowed Multis to process transaction
increase of 180% when measured against their previous
systems and volumes. Given this growth in transactions,
Multis would have found it difficult to remain competitive
due to the additional resources required to fulfil customer
requirements.
Additionally, the system allowed Multis to speedily
& seamlessly integrate with its new customers systems
& business requirements.
Changes
in work practices or business model
Like
many of the organisations that took part in the eBusiness
Acceleration scheme, Multis undertook a lengthy and
detailed analysis of its business requirements. They
then implemented a system that fulfilled those requirements
with the minimum of modifications to the core control
system. There were some bespoke modifications to increase
functionality, to accommodate integration, and to provide
robust analysis and reporting capability.
They maintained the integrity of their core business
system while allowing integration with multiple and
diverse client systems.
The benefits of the developed functionality has not
only resulted in a more efficient Multis cost base but
has also allowed its OEM clients to reduce their cost
base. i.e. more activities being performed by Multis)
The
success of the new Business systems has facilitated
transaction volume growth. In the future to facilitate
further capacity and control, new systems and processes
will be developed. The introduction of bar-coding technology
and a simplified works order model will allow Multis
additional control and analysis capabilities.
Future
developments.In
the coming months, Multis will implement new systems
to eliminate any remaining manual operations still existing
in the process.
Additionally,
minor modifications will be made to some of the control
and reporting interfaces as a result of a review of
their experiences since implementation.
Researched and prepared by Scott McInnes, Freedom
Marketing
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