Demantra Implementation for Nuqul

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1 Abstract Demantra Implementation for Nuqul This article is based on how Fine Hygienic Holding improved its forecast accuracy and demand management process through internal and external collaboration using Demantra Demand Management Module. It includes challenges encountered, solutions provided, benefits of moving forecast from spreadsheets into centralized database & its impact on the various business functions of the organization. The objective of writing this article is to share the challenges faced during the successful Demantra Demand Management Implementation, exchange ideas about demand management and share the benefits that Nuqul Group experienced after the implementation. Background Specializing in the paper & Forest products industry Nuqul Group, established in 1952, is a conglomerate of 30 companies and one of the Middle East's leading industrial groups. It brings together more than 5,500 employees and exports its products to over 45 exports markets worldwide. Its line of business covers a wide range of products including raw material and converted hygienic tissue paper non-woven fabrics, processed meats, ready-mix concrete, synthetic sponge/foam, plastic pipes, stationery, and printed packaging materials. Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH) represents the umbrella for paper mills and paper converting plants that fall within Nuqul Group s companies including FINE Hygienic Paper companies and their supporting industries. With presence in the Middle East, FHH companies are represented through direct operations and a network of distributors across the GCC, Levant and North Africa regions. Specialties:- Hygiene, Paper Products, Facial Paper Products, Kitchen Paper Products, Toilet Paper Products, Feminine Pads, Diapers, Adult Briefs, Away from Home Products

2 Implementation Goals Gazelle Information Technologies implemented Demantra Demand Management module. We decided to utilize standard out-of-box Demantra data model with few modifications to the seeded data model. Nuqul embarked upon the Demantra initiative with the following goals in mind: Faster and better means of information transfer through collaboration between various departments like Finance, Sales & Marketing, Production Planning, Warehouse and Purchase Department. Eliminate manual steps in the demand management process to reduce the overall Forecasting cycle time which allows sales reps to devote more time in the field selling products Ensure unified view of Levant, International and Africa entities. Enterprise wide planning processes, systems and structures to enable sales, simplify process and flexible supply Centralize reporting database to avoid different variations for the same report Keep the implementation cost low without compromising on the quality of delivery Maintain integrity of data Effectively handling New Product Introduction. Reduce the Supply Chain Planning Cycle Time for quick response to customer's requirements by predicting demand. Extraction, transformation and loading of Sales history from the Legacy Systems Single instance for Web enable Demantra and ASCP to enable collaborative planning Integration with ASCP Inaccurate demand history need accurate data for forecasting. Improve forecasting collaboration between Sales, IT, Product Management and operations.

3 Implementation Challenges Product Hierarchy Even though Nuqul Group wanted to utilize the seeded data model, there were many more levels the sales team needed to aggregate the data than available in the out-of-box product hierarchy. The challenge was to modify the product hierarchy in a manner that still allows Nuqul Group to leverage the out-of-box integration of Demantra with Oracle EBS Custom Product Levels and Hierarchy Item Color Item Count Group Item Inner Count Item Inner Pack Item Item Code Item Misc Item Outer Count Item Outer pack Item Plies Item Product Category Item Promotion Size Item Size Item Sub Brand Brand Category Category Group

4 Some Custom Worksheets:- 1. For Waterfall Analysis 2. Embedded worksheet:- for detailed analysis

5 SOLUTION Gazelle Information Technologies customized the Demantra solution to meet the specific requirements of the client. The system configurations, technical interfaces and functional setups done by Gazelle Information Technologies for Oracle Demantra and ASCP were clearly identified with fewer customizations to accommodate some business requirements and make the application user-friendly and maintainable. The workflows for automating various processes like download, forecast run and uploads were incorporated into the system. In-depth training was given to the client s key users on Demantra along with complete documentation on implementation and training. Gazelle Information Technologies was involved from identification of implementation strategy to installation, configuration, custom interface building, testing and support. The entire project was completed within an aggressive timeframe. Each activity of the project were carefully planned following best practices of project management and executed with minutest precision not to disturb Client operations. Below is a summary of the Demantra solution provided to Nuqul Group:- S.No. Nuqul Group Business Requirement Solution provided using Demantra Demand Management

6 1. Better Collaboration Through direct access of forecast from field sales Integration Profiles :- Flat file load of sales directly into Demantra Web Based Worksheets:- Customer User Interface for forecast entry and modification 2. Real time viewing of current forecast allowing for real time edits Worksheet Series Definition:-Provided the user with a huge number of data series that can be viewed & manipulated as per user s requirement. Series:- Created Series like NG base override, NG RM override to allow users with proper approval to edit forecast Worksheet Notes & Audit Trails :- User can view the latest changes made in the worksheet using these features 3. Ability to auto generate forecast Bayesian Forecast Engine :- Engine can produce base forecast using historical sales 4. Ability to analyze & consolidate forecast at user defined levels Using tasks,created forecast approval tasks to inform the Demantra users that forecast has been generated Worksheet Aggregation: - Aggregate forecast based on user defined time, sales channel, geography and product category hierarchies. Worksheet Layout Design: - User definable worksheet design and real time customization directly into Demantra. 5. Limit viewing of sensitive data Demantra User Roles: - Creation of several business user roles that define methods, data access and approval capabilities. We can also give access of series to a limited no. of users.

7 Demantra Benefits Some of the benefits that Nuqul Group has experienced post Demand Management implementation included: Provided better inventory visibility across the supply chain. Streamlined the ERP shipment history data collection and loading process into Demantra Improved forecast accuracy Ensured a robust decision system based on causal analysis, to predict the product usage rates across the product lifecycle Reduced in-house IT support overhead by providing enhancement / development support for business-oriented reporting functions like archiving and accuracy monitoring Tuned forecasting engine and provided multiple simulation results to the customer. Automated the demand management workflows and streamlined the processes to shrink forecasting cycle considerably and improve service levels. Ability to Slice & Dice Data: - Users now have the ability to slice & Dice data in whatever fashion they want within the elaborate parameters provided. Single Source of Truth / No Data Discrepancy: - Now, the data coming is fully integrated with Oracle EBS & data is consistent. There is no manipulation of data and there are no errors. Ability to Aggregate / Disaggregate data: - Forecasting can now be done at any level & the roll up or down will happen proportionally based on the history. This has been a major achievement as it has reduced the forecasting time a lot. Dashboards for Users: - Demantra has a unique capability to show graphical representation of the selected series. This helps the sales rep on key series while forecasting Real Time Collaboration: - Forecast entered by User is immediately available to the Sales Manager to run his consolidated view on the forecast and make quick decisions during the sales meetings. He can identify key categories & then drill into product line and styles he can make quick decisions along with the users. Increased Forecast Accuracy: - Demantra stores all history and POS data and at the same time gives the ability to compare Forecast vs. Actuals, which helps to track and manage forecast accuracy. Reduction in Inventory Level: -Better forecast accuracy is helping in improve inventory planning Lead time Reduction: - Increased accuracy helps to secure capacity and buy long lead time material prior to needing it, with less risk.

8 ACHIEVEMENTS This was to be accomplished in a tight schedule and budget, which required Gazelle Information Technologies to leverage its partnership capabilities and rich experience in delivering quality output, maintaining high team productivity through professional project management. The realtime demand forecast management, led to improved customer service level, better operational planning efficiency, flexibility. The success of this project has positioned the client to be competitive, sensitive to new products and promotion and well informed to make right decisions.