Konica Minolta Bloemfontein Re-inks Processes with Synergy Group

[Published on IT Web: 3 September 2009] -
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Bloemfontein has selected Accpac ERP 500 5.5 financial and distribution modules, including serialised inventory and CRM, from Softline Accpac, to streamline operations at its Bloemfontein branch. Synergy Group was responsible for the implementation.

Konica Minolta Bloemfontein is the principal distributor of the innovative and award-winning Konica Minolta range of Bizhub digital copiers, laser printers and fax machines. The company's vision is to be recognised as the complete business solution provider of choice, and this is supported by a mission to create the most recognised brand while building lasting business relationships.

Ronald Rens, IT and Engineering Solutions Manager, Konica Minolta Bloemfontein, explains that the company had been operating off three separate software systems to run the three departments within the organisation. These included a CRM system, a front office system, and an ERP system. While the set-up functioned well, the systems used different database structures, which made integration very challenging. “Our daily cash flow reports were generated with second-hand information and more time than necessary was spent balancing the ERP with the service manager program. Much time and resources were also spent on manually linking data and balancing the three systems. This was unproductive and costly.”

In addition, Rens says that on a CRM level, the sales teams had no access to live data and communication channels were non-existent. With a commitment to superior relationship marketing, the need arose to have access to timeous information and the current, non-integrated systems could not deliver this. “It became increasingly important to make the customer a partner in our daily business processes, and to achieve this, we needed a 360-degree view of our customers - which our non-integrated systems couldn't deliver.”

Ashley Regenass, CEO, Synergy Group, says Konica Minolta explained that it had become important to equip all employees with as much information as possible to empower them to make quick, informed decisions in line with company goals. After evaluating several systems, Accpac ERP 500 5.5 emerged as the product of choice and, based on their knowledge of the industry and an excellent track record, Synergy Group as the implementation partner of choice.

While still in its early stages, Accpac ERP 500 5.5 is already delivering benefits. These include: 

• A centralised ordering structure.
• Daily on-hand cash flow and financial reports.
• Improved control of business processes.
• Improved communication in departments using CRM.

“Accpac ERP 500 5.5 is ideal for companies requiring a functionally-rich, highly scalable system that supports international business infrastructures. Delivering an unprecedented degree of flexibility, the system offers Konica Minolta Bloemfontein a robust suite of modules and provides seamless integration to a full set of end-to-end business management applications. The company has benefited from instant integration, flexible deployment options, and unmatched investment protection,” says Regenass.

Keith Fenner, Sales Director, Softline Accpac, concludes that Accpac ERP 500 5.5 is part of Softline Accpac's Extended Enterprise Suite and includes integrated CRM and BI. “The suite combines the benefits of ERP and CRM to support integrated front and back-office business processes and workflow. This, together with the embedded BI, will improve Konica Minolta's decision-making abilities by providing insight into what is happening within the business, enhancing collaboration between departments, and facilitating improved customer relationships by providing employees with a complete and consistent view of the customer.”