Portek uses Epicor ERP to streamline ops across four countries
By Digital News Asia August 27, 2013
- ERP system procurement followed major review of its business processes and operations last year
- Will help Portek’s engineering business consolidate disparate systems and give management a single view
EPICOR Software Corporation, which develops business software for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organisations, said that Portek International Pte Ltd has chosen its enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to help it further streamline its engineering business operations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Financial details were not disclosed.
Portek is a global midsize terminal operator and port equipment engineering solutions provider. Headquartered in Singapore, it has offices in over 10 countries and approximately 1,400 employees throughout Africa, Europe and Asia.
Besides operating and managing nine ports and inland cargo facilities globally, Portek also provides port equipment engineering services. Through its engineering arm, Portek has transported more than 250 cranes from one port to another across the world, Epicor said in a statement.
Given its rapid global expansion, Portek required a centralised ERP solution for its engineering business; one which could consolidate the status of all its various operations and projects.
The procurement of a new ERP system followed a major review of its business processes and operations last year.
“We have been searching for almost a year for a new ERP solution that would suit the growing needs of both our ports and engineering businesses,” said Tok Soon Chong (pic), chief technical officer for Portek.
“Besides budget and ease of implementation, our strict compliance to international rules and regulation was also a factor considered during the evaluation.
“We selected Epicor after much deliberation, because we believe Epicor ERP will maximise productivity across our engineering businesses and optimise resource planning, which will help us manage continued business growth,” he said.
Epicor ERP will help Portek’s engineering business consolidate its disparate systems, giving management a single and consistent view of the business.
For example, the new platform will link up Portek’s various warehouses, providing visibility into overall inventory levels and resource needs in real-time. This will enable Portek to improve supply chain planning and overall business efficiency, as well as reduce the cost of operations, Epicor claimed.
The new ERP solution is also expected to improve business management and planning by providing easy-to-use tools for reporting and cost analysis, the company added.
Reports are currently done manually, with significant lag between the time information is submitted and the actual status in real-time. Epicor ERP will not only address the need for accurate real-time data, but also allow Portek to generate this intelligence in fewer man-hours, Epicor said, without quantifying.
“We are pleased that Portek has chosen Epicor ERP to meet their strict requirements for compliance and comprehensive need for project management tools,” said Craig Charlton, Asia Pacific vice president and general manager for Epicor.
“Portek is on the cusp of tremendous growth and Epicor is excited to be a part of this important transformation. We look forward to working closely with the team at Portek, as it takes the company to even greater heights,” he added.
Portek will roll out Epicor ERP in Singapore first, followed by its offices in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia by the middle of next year.
“Epicor provided us with a good overview of how the capabilities of its solution would meet our diverse needs,” said Tok.
“Epicor was also willing to conduct trials to ensure the new ERP platform was able to integrate well with our existing system. We are … confident that the solution will contribute significantly to our business transformation,” he added.
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