RAK Ceramics' SAP System goes live

The integrated software solutions incorporate key business functions of an organisation. Christened RAK-on SAP, the move sees RAK Ceramics improve transparency, efficiency and productivity with solutions rolled out across all its plants and administration offices in UAE as part of its 1st phase plan.

2012 saw more than 100 executives across departments engaged and led by top management and forming the core team that was guided by Mr. Dinesh Mohan, General Manager- SAP Projects RAK Ceramics and Mr. Manoj Aheeray, CFO of RAK Ceramics. Internationally-acclaimed external audit firm, KPMG, was on hand for quality assurance of the project.

Currently, more than 350 employees have been trained for handling SAP ERP operations in the first phase, which will be followed by future training to ensure that the entire team is well-acquainted with the system.

Abdallah Massaad the CEO of RAK Ceramics, commented: "Last year saw the start of our challenging and exciting journey that was characterised with vigour from all parties involved in implementation of the first phase of SAP ERP system, which is again an investment by RAK Ceramics for future that will surely pay huge dividends. Successfully going live is a vindication of all the hard work that has made this achievement for the company possible."

To support the SAP system a new IT infrastructure has been created with maintenance structure for post Go-Live operations is underway.

With the complete implementation of Phase 1 of SAP ERP System, RAK Ceramics migrates away from a 13 year old ERP System in order to strengthen its ability to improve customer satisfaction with enhanced processes, while it rationalises production and procurement costs, improves working capital management and business integration. RAK-on SAP will improve the complete operational processes within RAK Ceramics and is expected to deliver positive results to all its stakeholders of the company.

Massaad concludes: "SAP ERP system is our step forward in the vision for taking the company forward as I am confident we shall overall improve our operations management with better efficiency in every aspect of the organization leading to better productivity offering better products and services to our clients worldwide. We are confident that by embracing these cutting-edge solutions, we are putting the company on the fast track to exceeding expectations."