Al Fahim Enterprises rolls out SAP for Retail

SAP's retail software solutions will support Al Fahim Enterprises' aggressive regional growth and manage its brand portfolio to maximize profitability.

SAP for Retail is an industry-specific solution set that creates value by enabling retailers to become more agile with the proven, future-proof SAP NetWeaver® platform. SAP applications will support all aspects of the business, including product development, merchandising, customer relationship management, supply chain and inventory management, store operations as well as financial reporting. The software will also support customer loyalty and provide real-time business visibility and operational excellence across all core retail processes while enabling top-line revenue growth and cost reductions. Initially serving approximately 400 users, the SAP deployment is one of the largest retail implementations in the region.

Al Fahim Enterprises will adopt the SAP NetWeaver® platform as its information and business process foundation. The platform will provide greater process agility system flexibility and the capability to extend in their IT investment in the future. The new application will initially be rolled out across the group's companies in the UAE including Paris Gallery, the flagship brand of Al Fahim Enterprises.

"We look forward to a partnership with SAP and to building systems that can support our growing business and operations," said Abdullah Thabit, IT country manager, Al Fahim Enterprises. "SAP is a key enabler for us bringing in international best practices and build competencies to achieve our strategic plans for the future."

The initial phase of implementation will include mySAP ERP 2005, SAP NetWeaver® Business Intelligence and SAP NetWeaver® Portal. This will be followed by the implementation of applications including mySAP™ Customer Relationship Management, SAP Forecasting and Replenishment and SAP Extended Warehouse Management. On completion of the initial phase of the implementation in the UAE, Al Fahim Enterprises will roll out the retail solution set in Saudi Arabia and Qatar based on its global rollout template. The initial phase of implementation will include SAP's integration services and solutions for retail merchandise management, workforce deployment, financials and business warehouse.

KPMG is the implementation partner. In addition to IT resources, key business stake holders of Al Fahim Enterprises have been assigned to the project team on a full-time basis.

"The proactive participation of business stakeholders, their openness to adopt industry standards and SAP Best Practices has contributed to the success of the preliminary phase of the implementation. There are global industry standards and practices that the Al Fahim Enterprises will be the first to adopt in the region will provide an excellent reference for others in the market," said Mohammed Sadiq, KPMG Project Manager.

"We are pleased that Al Fahim Enterprises has selected SAP to drive the company's future growth and innovation," said Essam Enany, president, SAP Arabia.

"The retail industry has grown significantly in the region and is tipped to be one of the fastest growing sectors. SAP understands that retailers need the ability to quickly adapt and innovate to continue to create value for their customers. Our solutions allow companies such as Al Fahim Enterprises to flexibly design, implement and execute new, agile business strategies and processes. We committed to building a strong relationship with Al Fahim Enterprises and to being their trusted advisor and partner."