Customer Solution Case Study
/ / Sandfits Foundries Creates Workflow to Integrate Business Functions
Overview
Country or region:India
Industry:Foundry
Customer Profile
Sandfits Foundries Private Limited (Sandfits) is a small foundry and machine shop operating from the southern Indian city of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.
Business Situation
After a major upgrade to its IT systems, Sandfits decided that it required an ERP solution to manage business processes within the company.
Solution
Sandfits commissioned Quadra Systems to implement Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition, which led to significant productivity increases and cost reductions.
Benefits
Improved performance
Network security
Single point of administration
Improved customer satisfaction / The implementation of Windows Small Business Server 2003 has helped us achieve several critical business goals, including growing the business and creating demand in the overseas markets.”
A. Shanmugampillai, Finance Manager, Sandfits Foundries Private Limited
Sandfits Foundries Private Limited (Sandfits) is the manufacturer of proof-machined and fully machined grey iron and ductile iron castings. Set up in 1962, Sandfits has achieved customer confidence and trust by continuously improving systems and upgrading manufacturing processes over the years. Sandfits underwent a major revision in strategy and execution in the late 1990s. Today it has a capacity of 10,000 tons per year and exports its products to the United States, Italy, Spain, Germany, Japan, and Australia.
The deployment of Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition has helped Sandfits simplify business processes, enhance the security of its network, and provide a reliable end-to-end IT infrastructure within the company.
Situation
The Indian foundry industry has an output estimated at U.S.$2.08 billion (Rs. 9,36,000 crore). The Indian foundry business is the sixth largest in the world after the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and Germany. Dominated by small and midsize enterprises, the business is an increasingly important destination for sourcing ferrous and non-ferrous castings.
In developed countries the foundry industry is on the verge of closure, due to an acute shortage of trained personnel, strict waste disposal laws, and high manpower costs.
According to U.S. analysts, the foundry business grew worldwide over 30 percent in 2004 and will grow over 40 percent in 2005, driven mainly by the surge in the communications integrated circuit (IC) market. The industry is further expected to grow at 23 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2003 to 2008.
According to the Institute of Indian Foundry Men (IIF), “there is an ample scope for the Indian foundry industry to emerge as a strategic source for castings worldwide.” Export figures show that the industry is likely to grow from Rs. 1800 crore in 2003-04 to Rs. 5000 crore by 2008.
In spite of its relatively small size, Sandfits nurtured global ambitions. It revamped its business strategy accordingly in the early 1990s. In 1997, it successfully commenced export to the United States. The company took the next strategic step in 1999, setting up a computer numerical control (CNC) machine shop. By 2000, the company earned ISO 9002 accreditation by TUV Suddeutschland, a global leader in independent testing and assessment services. The company won the Best Foundry Award from the Institute of Indian Foundry Men in 2001. Presently, the company operates out of 50,000 square feet in a building complex spread over eleven acres. It has a growing client base not only in India, but also in the United States, Italy, Spain, Germany, Japan, and Australia. The company has an annual turnover of U.S.$6 million (Rs. 27 crore) in 2003-04, and estimates its turnover to grow to U.S.$8.8 million (Rs. 40 crore) in 2004-05.
In its early years, Sandfits ran its business operations using a paper-based system. When it became clear that the company was going to address the global market, it set about computerizing some of its business processes. A basic peer-to-peer network was set up, and the company subscribed to a single e-mail address that was shared across employees. However, as the company grew, it realized the need to upgrade its technology infrastructure. Management found that it needed a business solution that could provide information about its supply chain and inventory, although a full-blown enterprise resource planning (ERP) system would not be the right solution.
E-mail access for all employees was seen as imperative, and the company realized that too much time was being spent on administering the system. It was in this context that Sandfits considered implementing the Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 platform for its communications and collaboration needs.
Solution
Sandfits called upon Quadra Systems, a Microsoft Worldwide Certified Partner Award winner, to provide a suitable infrastructure solution. Based on Sandfits’ requirements, Quadra identified Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition as an ideal solution, one that would be reliable, easily manageable, and scalable, as well as providing a low total cost of ownership (TCO). Sandfits commissioned Quadra to deploy Windows Small Business Server 2003 within the company.
Quadra set up and deployed file, print, networking, database, and e-mail services, along with an intranet portal. The company’s local area network was set up by a local hardware vendor. Currently, a third-party developer has been engaged to create a customized solution streamlining the business processes.
The implementation includes Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 as the network operating system. This server hosts Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 mailboxes for all Sandfits employees. The network is protected by Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000 as the firewall and proxy. In addition, Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition ships with Microsoft Windows SharePoint® Services, which has been utilized effectively to build the intranet, which enables different departments to access information seamlessly.
Benefits
Windows Small Business Server 2003 has provided Sandfits with a complete business server solution: messaging and collaboration, security enhanced Internet access, protected data storage, reliable printing, and the capability to run a line-of-business application.
“The implementation of Windows Small Business Server 2003 has helped us achieve several critical business goals, including growing the business and creating demand in the overseas markets,” reports A. Shanmugampillai, Finance Manager at Sandfits.
Improved Performance
Windows Small Business Server 2003 delivers reliable infrastructure that supports a mobile computing environment. Combined with its information management and collaboration tools, the application increases worker productivity dramatically.
Windows Small Business Server 2003 comes loaded with productivity enhancement tools that enable employees to access the workplace remotely. With its deployment, Sandfits has saved 27 percent of the time previously spent in retrieving information, leading to a cohesive working environment and higher employee productivity.
By creating an intranet and sharing information through e-mail and public folders, the organization has been able to create a team of knowledge workers. With access to information from their desktops or even at home, the employees are able to increase their productivity.
Network Security
Windows Small Business Server 2003 uses wizards that simplify security settings. It ensures the integrity and security of data such as volume shadow copy service that allow for “point-in-time” backups. This permits backup procedures within Sandfits to be managed effectively with minimal errors.
Single Point of Administration
By utilizing the preconfigured internal Web site based on Windows SharePoint Services, Sandfits employees are now able to share information seamlessly. Recent surveys indicate that Sandfits has improved in organizational performance.
Improved Customer Interaction and Satisfaction
By using robust messaging and security-enhanced communication tools, the organization has fostered positive customer relationships. The deployment of Windows Small Business Server 2003 has helped Sandfits reach new markets as well as new customers. “The deployment of Windows Small Business Server 2003 has helped us continually improve productivity and reduce cost,” comments A. Shanmugampillai, Finance Manager, Sandfits Foundries Private Limited
Future Plans
Sandfits plans to invest heavily in its infrastructure, as a key element in effectively addressing the needs of its growing global customer base. For its first step, Sandfits plans an expansion of its CNC machine shop. With this move Sandfits will be able to maintain its impressive track record of quality.
About Quadra Systems
Quadra Systems provides software solutions that incorporate best-of-breed IT products and best-practice IT solutions. Quadra’s core competency lies in integrating business value into technology solutions, thereby enabling customers to realize the full potential of their IT investments.
Windows Small Business Server 2003
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 is a powerful advantage for your business success. Improve the security of your data and help your network run dependably. Release new productivity from your desktops while empowering your employees to do more. And connect to your customers like never before.
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