development on the Microsoft® Dynamics™ NAV platform. “We wanted a system that was reliable, affordable, easy to use and most importantly, easily scalable to our future computing requirements,” says Nitin Vishnoi. “Microsoft Dynamics NAV 4.0 with SP3 matched all these requirements. It was an integrated solution and could be customized to fulfill all our requirements.” Thus with the help of Microsoft Certified Partner, Trident Information Systems, Sharda Motor implemented Microsoft Dynamics NAV 4.0 SP3. Apart from being rich in functionality, Microsoft Dynamics NAV 4.0 with SP3 is flexible enough to adapt to the company’s changing business needs. It integrates all locations by delivering a single, real-time view into all information. This easy-to-access information provides employees with greater insight into business processes. The solution was implemented across all locations in April 2009. The modules implemented were Finance, Sales, Purchase, Inventory, and Manufacturing. All the standard features of the ERP system were implemented along with some unique customizations applicable to the automotive manufacturing industry. One of the main customization done was the Job Work module. Niranjan Kumar, Technical Head – ERP, Sharda Motor explains, “The biggest asset in implementing Dynamics NAV is its ability to adapt the system to our specific processes and this has been vital to our continued growth. Earlier we could see only one item per bill. Now with the new solution, we can see 4-5 items per bill.” Material is send to vendors through Delivery Challan. The consumption is on Delivery Challan against which vendor has sent the material and their consumption is based on actual quantity. All this activity is captured in the Job Work module. After implementing the new business solution, various unique features are functional in the organization. Inventory planning and control are some of the most important functions that have reduced the cost. Additionally, auto manufacturing reports are being created based on daily sales log. This automatically creates Released Production Order and their consumption for regular items thus reducing booking output times. Gate Entry and RGP module are separately developed to capture moving in and out of material. This results in smooth activity as per the company’s needs. “The new environment resulting in a centrally managed solution that spans the entire company has strengthened us,” says Nitin
Vishnoi. “The flexible technology platform prepares us to scale for future computing standards. We are now better positioned to increase operational efficiencies and ensure sustained business growth.” Looking ahead, Sharda Motor wants to further enhance its effectiveness by using the solution for MIS report generation. Benefits With Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Sharda Motor enjoys new business efficiencies. The solution provides real time visibility into the company’s operations resulting in greater operational efficiency. The greatest benefit of the new system is the consolidation of data across its manufacturing plants. Allows Inventory Planning, Reduces Inventory Costs The new ERP solution plans and controls inventory such that inventory pileups are reduced. This improves stock management as the right stock is always available whenever needed. Tight inventory management helps to increase operational efficiency across the organization and also improve customer service. “Because Microsoft Dynamics NAV provides instant access to inventory levels, vendors, customer balances, and chart of accounts at any instance, we’re able to plan our purchasing, profit loss statement, find lost making components for analysis, and keep inventory to minimum,” says Nitin Vishnoi. “With access to real time information and increased visibility about inventory levels, we have reduced the total cost of its inventory by 3 percent in the 1st year of complete implementation.” Enhances Visibility, Enables Faster Decision Making A key advantage of the solution is the availability of more detailed, real-time information that is accessible to all users. With a centralized repository for all business information, the company is able to make quick decisions in a fast-paced business environment. Niranjan Kumar explains, “With real-time access to accurate information, our management is now assured of making smarter and better-informed decisions. The centralized database also helps us make faster decisions to better control our costs.” Bestows Cost-Effective and Easy to Use Solution Sharda Motor wanted a simple solution that would be easily accepted and learnt within the organization, without adding huge capital expenditure on software and services. Microsoft Dynamics NAV provides a simple, familiar, and intuitive interface that is user friendly and is easy to train users. “The system is so easy to use that