Monday, May 13, 2013
ERP Malaysia - A step further
I have been few years not update this blog, mainly because of I am now more focus on web development and SEO services . However, i am still concern on the ERP industry in Malaysia especially one of my best friend - Frank Lee is still in this line. ( For who are interested to explore more about ERP Malaysia , please contact him at http://www.icontro.com/contact_us.shtml )
Last week, I visited one of my friend, who is the CEO of a public listed company that selling biometric products and solutions. Of course, not surprisingly, they have been using ERP for few years. From regular orders to stock checking , from custom made order to floor production, from goods delivery to customer feedback, everything is running smooth.
And of course, they are running the ERP in web-based (Online ERP), which is not really surprising me too because in the Internet Age the "mobility "feature is becoming popular too.
The thing that really surprising me is , the "Knowledge Base" they are trying to build.
What is Knowledge Base ? My friend explain to me :
1) They gradually digitalize all his products user manual, product FAQ , products troubleshooting information in digital format and store in his website. His dealer is assigned a user ID and password to access to the online knowledge base, when he can key-in the question, the system is able to find the best answers for him. For example, If the dealer is looking for "how to unlock the XYZ model " The answer could be in photo + detail text in PDF format, a patch file to download for him to unlock the system , or even a video to show him how to step-by-step to unlock the model.
2) He requests his primary workers to contribute a review on the major technology changes/ trends in the world every month, and put it in the internal newsletter (in email format) and distribute to all employees. For example, A review of comparison of Samsung S3 vs Iphone 5, What is HTML 5 and etc.. The topics could be anythings as long as the workers love it and it is technology related.
3) Web-based R &D . The design of the new models (before prototype come out) is put in web-based, where every member in the designer team is able to view, edit and comment on the design. Every changes of the design is archived, so that the designers know who is making changes.
This not only faster the designing process and sharing the information, but also could be a systematic tutorial and references for the new designer who participate the team in the future.
If you stop here and ask me : "what is the big deal ? just a web-based ERP and some fancy operation works" Well, it means that you cannot get what my friend want , and you don't know what the "knowledge base" means.
Ask yourself, what makes a company long-life and competitive ? the boss's capability ? The superior products ? The united employees ? No, the answer is "Knowledge".
With "knowledge", every employees has a chanced to be trained/educated and then contribute more wisdom, with "knowledge", every new products are the best outcome from the designers, with "knowledge", every dealers, or even the end users are able to find what are the products features, who to contact , and even know how to fix the problems.
So now you know how important to have a "knowledge base" ? :)
Last week, I visited one of my friend, who is the CEO of a public listed company that selling biometric products and solutions. Of course, not surprisingly, they have been using ERP for few years. From regular orders to stock checking , from custom made order to floor production, from goods delivery to customer feedback, everything is running smooth.
And of course, they are running the ERP in web-based (Online ERP), which is not really surprising me too because in the Internet Age the "mobility "feature is becoming popular too.
The thing that really surprising me is , the "Knowledge Base" they are trying to build.
What is Knowledge Base ? My friend explain to me :
1) They gradually digitalize all his products user manual, product FAQ , products troubleshooting information in digital format and store in his website. His dealer is assigned a user ID and password to access to the online knowledge base, when he can key-in the question, the system is able to find the best answers for him. For example, If the dealer is looking for "how to unlock the XYZ model " The answer could be in photo + detail text in PDF format, a patch file to download for him to unlock the system , or even a video to show him how to step-by-step to unlock the model.
2) He requests his primary workers to contribute a review on the major technology changes/ trends in the world every month, and put it in the internal newsletter (in email format) and distribute to all employees. For example, A review of comparison of Samsung S3 vs Iphone 5, What is HTML 5 and etc.. The topics could be anythings as long as the workers love it and it is technology related.
3) Web-based R &D . The design of the new models (before prototype come out) is put in web-based, where every member in the designer team is able to view, edit and comment on the design. Every changes of the design is archived, so that the designers know who is making changes.
This not only faster the designing process and sharing the information, but also could be a systematic tutorial and references for the new designer who participate the team in the future.
If you stop here and ask me : "what is the big deal ? just a web-based ERP and some fancy operation works" Well, it means that you cannot get what my friend want , and you don't know what the "knowledge base" means.
Ask yourself, what makes a company long-life and competitive ? the boss's capability ? The superior products ? The united employees ? No, the answer is "Knowledge".
With "knowledge", every employees has a chanced to be trained/educated and then contribute more wisdom, with "knowledge", every new products are the best outcome from the designers, with "knowledge", every dealers, or even the end users are able to find what are the products features, who to contact , and even know how to fix the problems.
So now you know how important to have a "knowledge base" ? :)
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
One of my friend who is a manufacturer come to ask me : "One provider offers me ERP, another one saying its ERP come with CRM, then another one said ERP is obsoletes, now people are using SCM. I am so confused, what are the differences ? "
I asked him what are his core business processes and what are the major problems they are facing and what are the objectives they are trying to achieve for using the software.
My friend is a manufacturer of chemical product. He told me that his main concern is to make sure his production schedule is accurate, the materials stocks and the finished goods information is up-to-dated. His sales is doing excellent, but the production and the stock is a mess.
I told him : " Well, actually what you need is a ERP that strong in production module, which include : Material requirement planing (MRP), Master Production Planning (MPP) , Inventory control (IC) , Bill of Material (BOM) , Shop Floor Control (SFC) and other related production module."
I also advise him , make sure the BOM has multiple levels and have the option to substitute the materials with other compatible material ( it is normal in chemical industry), and one more important issued needed to confirm with the provider : Make sure the production module is linking properly to the Accounting module, especially in the calculation of the production cost, cost per unit, material cost etc....
From the above example, it is quite common in the Malaysia that there are many manufacturers confused on what they want when purchasing ERP software. Many manufactures think that more features are better, but in fact, more features mean more confusion. And worse, some features are not utilized at all and the manufactures are bound to pay it as a bundle ERP software.
If a manufacturer is doing well in the sales, and its customers are not many, then for what the manufacturer needs to go for CRM ? if the manufacturer's is not one of the appointed and authorized OEM of its customer, then what for go for SCM ?
Remember, ERP is not as simple as A-B-C, there are many hidden costs when implementing ERP. I still remember a manufacturer who has less than 20 workers come to ask me what is the best ERP for his manufacturing environment, and he is never use computer software before. I ask him go and get an accounting + inventory software to manage and get used to the software first before go for ERP. :-)
I asked him what are his core business processes and what are the major problems they are facing and what are the objectives they are trying to achieve for using the software.
My friend is a manufacturer of chemical product. He told me that his main concern is to make sure his production schedule is accurate, the materials stocks and the finished goods information is up-to-dated. His sales is doing excellent, but the production and the stock is a mess.
I told him : " Well, actually what you need is a ERP that strong in production module, which include : Material requirement planing (MRP), Master Production Planning (MPP) , Inventory control (IC) , Bill of Material (BOM) , Shop Floor Control (SFC) and other related production module."
I also advise him , make sure the BOM has multiple levels and have the option to substitute the materials with other compatible material ( it is normal in chemical industry), and one more important issued needed to confirm with the provider : Make sure the production module is linking properly to the Accounting module, especially in the calculation of the production cost, cost per unit, material cost etc....
From the above example, it is quite common in the Malaysia that there are many manufacturers confused on what they want when purchasing ERP software. Many manufactures think that more features are better, but in fact, more features mean more confusion. And worse, some features are not utilized at all and the manufactures are bound to pay it as a bundle ERP software.
If a manufacturer is doing well in the sales, and its customers are not many, then for what the manufacturer needs to go for CRM ? if the manufacturer's is not one of the appointed and authorized OEM of its customer, then what for go for SCM ?
Remember, ERP is not as simple as A-B-C, there are many hidden costs when implementing ERP. I still remember a manufacturer who has less than 20 workers come to ask me what is the best ERP for his manufacturing environment, and he is never use computer software before. I ask him go and get an accounting + inventory software to manage and get used to the software first before go for ERP. :-)
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
SAP , Peoplesoft , Oracle.....
Navision, Skala.......
Globasoft, Karensoft......
When talking about ERP software, most Malaysian with some ERP knowledge will come across the above ERP provider. The first 3 company, we normally position them as "tier 1", then the next 2 is "tier 2" and the last 2 is "tier 3" ( of course there are many providers in market for tier 1, 2 and 3, the above named companies are just an example)
What does it mean ?
well , tier 1 , 2 and 3 is the service scope and different market segmentation they serve. For "tier 1" provider, they normally target on Multi Nationals Corporation (MNC) with the budget of millions dollars, and "tier 2" provider target on listed companies and large organization with the budget of less than a million, and "tier 3" provider target on Small and Medium Industries (SMI) with the budget of less than RM 200,000.
Does it mean that SMI can only find "tier 3" for their ERP solution ?
Wrong.
If you aware of the trends in Business and I.T, This rule has been changed because some big players like SAP also starting to tap in to SMI market and introduce the ERP solution that less than RM 200,000.
This could be a good news to SMI because with that budget they can buy a stable, proven and reputable ERP software.
Then, what happen to "tier 2 " and "tier 3" providers ?
I am regret to know some tier 2 providers are still unaware of the business trends, they are still concern on finding big corporation with the budget of RM 300,000 to RM 800,000. When I was talking to such providers, they normally say " SMI ? They got budget or not ? If got more that RM 300,000 then could be considered........"
They don't know the other side is saying : " Tier 2 provider? They can lower the price or not ? If they can lower the price to below RM 200,000, then I will be glad to find one" - from the SMI
Obviously, closing a deal with the budget of RM 300,000 to RM 800,000 is much more profitable compare to closing a deal with the budget of RM 200,000. Most Tier 2 providers will give many reasons why they do not go to below RM 200,000 ...... For example, company image, less profit, high overhead etc.....
then , consider what SAP does, is SAP so stupid to sell its light version of ERP for less than RM 150, 000 ?
If the answer is Yes, then why SAP is still the Top ERP provider in the world and capture the most market share ?
If the answer is No, then who is stupid ? The "tier 2 provider ?"
We are always talking about "long-term business partnership". It sounds good. But when it come to practice, many tier 2 providers just concern on short term profit, and ignore long term benefits.
Just imagine, these SMI will keep growing, one day, they may become MNC and listed companies as well, if you are smart enough, target to the right SMI with the potential to grow big , lower the ERP software price for them to use, when they grow, they will ask for more from your ERP software - and eventually, throughout the period, your ERP software price selling to those SMI will sure exceed RM 300,000 and above.
and one more important reward - they trust you.
For tier 3 provider, they are targeting on SMI with the budget lower than RM 200,000 - sometimes could be RM 100,000 . Anywhere , with that price, the SMI also cannot expect too much on features or customization, and could be some bugs in that system. Finding a good tier 3 provider could be a challenge, especially, if you come across the ERP failure under the SMIDEC e-manufacturing grant (now has been changed to loan) , you will know what I mean.
However, there are still many good tier 3 ERP provider in the market, the only thing is the SMI need to be careful on selecting the right ERP provider. If you want to know how to wisely select ERP provider, then leave a message to me.
James Tan
Malaysia Professional Web Design Company
Navision, Skala.......
Globasoft, Karensoft......
When talking about ERP software, most Malaysian with some ERP knowledge will come across the above ERP provider. The first 3 company, we normally position them as "tier 1", then the next 2 is "tier 2" and the last 2 is "tier 3" ( of course there are many providers in market for tier 1, 2 and 3, the above named companies are just an example)
What does it mean ?
well , tier 1 , 2 and 3 is the service scope and different market segmentation they serve. For "tier 1" provider, they normally target on Multi Nationals Corporation (MNC) with the budget of millions dollars, and "tier 2" provider target on listed companies and large organization with the budget of less than a million, and "tier 3" provider target on Small and Medium Industries (SMI) with the budget of less than RM 200,000.
Does it mean that SMI can only find "tier 3" for their ERP solution ?
Wrong.
If you aware of the trends in Business and I.T, This rule has been changed because some big players like SAP also starting to tap in to SMI market and introduce the ERP solution that less than RM 200,000.
This could be a good news to SMI because with that budget they can buy a stable, proven and reputable ERP software.
Then, what happen to "tier 2 " and "tier 3" providers ?
I am regret to know some tier 2 providers are still unaware of the business trends, they are still concern on finding big corporation with the budget of RM 300,000 to RM 800,000. When I was talking to such providers, they normally say " SMI ? They got budget or not ? If got more that RM 300,000 then could be considered........"
They don't know the other side is saying : " Tier 2 provider? They can lower the price or not ? If they can lower the price to below RM 200,000, then I will be glad to find one" - from the SMI
Obviously, closing a deal with the budget of RM 300,000 to RM 800,000 is much more profitable compare to closing a deal with the budget of RM 200,000. Most Tier 2 providers will give many reasons why they do not go to below RM 200,000 ...... For example, company image, less profit, high overhead etc.....
then , consider what SAP does, is SAP so stupid to sell its light version of ERP for less than RM 150, 000 ?
If the answer is Yes, then why SAP is still the Top ERP provider in the world and capture the most market share ?
If the answer is No, then who is stupid ? The "tier 2 provider ?"
We are always talking about "long-term business partnership". It sounds good. But when it come to practice, many tier 2 providers just concern on short term profit, and ignore long term benefits.
Just imagine, these SMI will keep growing, one day, they may become MNC and listed companies as well, if you are smart enough, target to the right SMI with the potential to grow big , lower the ERP software price for them to use, when they grow, they will ask for more from your ERP software - and eventually, throughout the period, your ERP software price selling to those SMI will sure exceed RM 300,000 and above.
and one more important reward - they trust you.
For tier 3 provider, they are targeting on SMI with the budget lower than RM 200,000 - sometimes could be RM 100,000 . Anywhere , with that price, the SMI also cannot expect too much on features or customization, and could be some bugs in that system. Finding a good tier 3 provider could be a challenge, especially, if you come across the ERP failure under the SMIDEC e-manufacturing grant (now has been changed to loan) , you will know what I mean.
However, there are still many good tier 3 ERP provider in the market, the only thing is the SMI need to be careful on selecting the right ERP provider. If you want to know how to wisely select ERP provider, then leave a message to me.
James Tan
Malaysia Professional Web Design Company
