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Furukawa Electric Autoparts Philippines, Inc. (FEAP)
FPI implements integrated solutions at Furukawa
Furukawa Electric Autoparts Philippines, Inc. (FEAP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (FEC) of Japan, aims to be a model member company of the Furukawa Group worldwide. Established last November 1997, FEAP is engaged in the Plastic Injection Line, the FFC Welding Line and the assembly of Steering Roll Connector (SRC) for Automobile Air Bag System, a key part that determines the reliability of the airbag on the steering wheel.
Because of its successful initial operations in the Cavite Export Processing Zone, FEAP decided to embark on its bigger and wider plans to expand its capacity and the manufacture of new products that include various types of SRC's, fuse boxes, connectors, and terminals. It moved its new manufacturing facility to the Laguna TechnoPark Complex, which is aimed to become the major center in the strategic mass production and manufacturing base of automotive products in the ASEAN region. From 35 employees, FEAP will increase its manpower to 150 when it goes into full operations in the Laguna complex this year.
Just like any business organization, FEAP needed to bolster competitiveness as the 21st century global supplier with increased worldwide market share. To achieve this goal, FEAP wanted to establish standard operations and more effective business processes to allow management to quickly respond and decide on critical management issues. The company also required a cost-effective information systems infrastructure that can support its new ways of doing business and can be implemented at a shortest time.
FEAP's current IT environment was not so sufficient: information was Excel-based; accounting, payroll and other critical systems were manually operated; there were duplicated data; and, information processing was slow. Hence, FEAP looked for a vendor that can provide a quality and cost effective technology solutions in hardware, software, networking, and communications which are simple, user-friendly, timely, and can be quickly implemented at minimum cost. Moreover, FEAP was looking for a vendor that provides the technical know-how and a reliable support anytime of the week. The company then contracted Fujitsu Philippines, Inc. to be its I.T. solutions provider and integrator.
On May 18, 2000, FEAP has accepted FPI's total system turnover of Glovia, a system of integrated software solutions for managing manufacturing and service business processes, and HR PRO, a GUI-based human resource management product designed to empower human resources for effective and efficient management.
FPI has also provided the servers and workstations, and installed network cables for fast and easy access of information. FEAP also acquired Fujitsu's Private Area Branch Exchange (PABX). The company needed Private Branch exchange (PBX) to address its communications requirements.
These requirements were to call and receive calls from its (1) mother company from Japan, (2) foreign and local suppliers, and (3) foreign and local customers; to transmit and receive data or documents through its telephone facilities; and to communicate with the other members of its own organization with ease. On the third week of December 1999, FEAP ordered the Fujitsu CORAL PBX and during the first week of January 2000, WeSolv Open Computing, Inc., the networking and communications subsidiary of FPI, was able to deliver and install a CORAL SL Model.
On the software side, UniServ Systems International, Inc., FPI's wholly owned subsidiary that provides ERP solutions, handled the implementation of GLOVIA to automate FEAP's distribution, manufacturing and financial operations. Glovia systematized the company's distribution process and provided transparency on inventory movements.
UniServ also implemented HR PRO to systematize the company's personnel information, attendance monitoring and payroll processing to securely establish FEAP's internal control on salary rate changes. HR PRO also provided information that prompted the review and streamlining of company policies and guidelines relative to human resource management.
FEAP's President, Naoji Ando, says Fujitsu's sales and support teams are able to anticipate and respond quickly to customer concerns and are equipped with all the right skills to support FEAP. "FPI was judged as the most excellent vendor in the Philippines and is a powerful worldwide solution vendor. We require FPI to provide us the support we need to get our systems up and running and keep them running smoothly. FPI has shown an enduring track record of customer support with a professional services staff who bring with them solid technology expertise specifically focused on our manufacturing background." Ando adds that FPI has been working closely with FEAP every step of the way to ensure that the systems it installed meet the company's business requirements. "The introduction of Glovia, HR PRO, Fujitsu Coral PBX, and Fujitsu's servers and workstations to the company offers great merit for us because of their cost-effective functionality. Moreover, FPI has completed the implementation of these solutions in due time."
