Global pen manufacturer shifts ME supply chain to Dubai with Microsoft solutions

The announcement comes after the company has successfully optimized its supply chain process through the implementation of an enterprise resource planning system from Microsoft that allows it to shift its trading in the Middle East from Japan to Dubai.

PILOT Pen has implemented Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains for enterprise resource planning and supply chain management. The Great Plains system, which was rolled out by Microsoft partner EMITAC, will help PILOT to manage distribution of the PILOT brand of writing implements across thirteen countries in the Middle East.

"We have improved the efficiency of our operations in the Middle East by having our partners in the region purchase directly from us. Great Plains ERP has provided us with a dependable and easy to use solution to really understand and manage the supply chain process, and integrate it with our financial and business functions," said Akira Ota, CEO of PILOT Pen Middle East FZE.

The Great Plains ERP solution deployed by EMITAC includes modules to manage financial systems and HR functions along with the supply chain management features to manage inventory control, invoicing, sales order processing, and bill of materials.

"For clients such as PILOT Pen, who have to manage a complex operation across a wide geographical region, Great Plains is an ideal solution to their need for greater visibility and understanding of business processes," said Mohammad Al Halabi, Business Development Manager, EMITAC. "Great Plains is an affordable, reliable and fully featured product that meets all of the needs of mid-sized businesses. The modular design allows businesses to deploy whatever functions they need to fit their requirements, while the familiar Microsoft platform ensures that the solution is integrated with other IT solutions and that staff can manage the system easily."

Microsoft Business Solutions applications are designed to enable small, medium and enterprise scale businesses to integrate their processes and information to improve business agility, increase business insight and become more efficient.

Rajesh Deepchandani, Partner Engagement Manager, Microsoft South Gulf said: "PILOT Pen has cut the lead-time in its supply chain, created an opportunity for its staff and its customers to have a closer and better relationship, and capitalized on its global IT resources as well as its assets in Jabal Ali Free Zone." He ended saying: "PILOT Pen is an ideal examples of how the right technology with the right support, can be deployed to create a truly competitive advantage and greater value to customers."