TVS uses IT to streamline dealer network

With an aim to provide seamless exchange of information between the company
and its dealer com-munity, TVS Motor Company is embarking on a plan to provide
help to its 500 odd dealers in implementing Dealer Management Software (DMS).

"We have already initiated the imple-mentation process at the pilot
level. Cur-rently, we are running these pilots at four locations. Gradually, it
will be implemented on a national scale with all our dealers," informed
Venkat Iyer, Hosur based CIO of TVS Motor Company.

According to him, providing a centralized support towards addressing IT
issues, the software is designed in such a way so as to bridge the connectivity
gap between the dealer and the company. Bangalore based MindTree Consulting is
tailoring the DMS according to the needs of TVS dealers in the Indian region.

"Apart from centralizing dealer information workflow, the software also
helps us in getting our customers better. It is our way to extending our touch
point with the customers. We have structured the software in such a way that
there would be two servers-one at the dealer level and one at the central
level. In a single day both these servers will talk to each other three to four
times and critical data will be shared," he explained.

This apart, the company is also running a pilot to test the usage of RFID at
the assembly level. "An important requirement for efficient supply chain
management is keeping track of your inventory at the pallet, case or item level.
Advances in tracking technology for packaged goods have entered a new phase with
the latest development in automatic identification and data capture technology-radio
frequency identification (RFID) technology. We would be putting the 'engine
number' on RFID tags to be able to monitor it at the assembly level,"
Iyer informed.

Selling more than 1.1 million vehicles annually, the company is one of the
automotive heavyweights in India. (CyberMedia News)

Zia Askari

New Delhi