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| Case Study |
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Inquiry-to-cash solution boosts substantial
gains in cycle times |
The focus and discipline to increase the business velocity prompted a leading biosciences company to seek
Patni's services in reducing cycle time of its inquiry-order-payment cycle.
The Client
The client is a one of the
world's largest bioprocess
and bioscience companies.
The Challenge
Adaptability to the needs of the growing business has been one of the
key characteristics of the client's approach to business management.
Recognizing that efficient processes boost profits, the client decided
to reduce cycle-time at each stage of the inquiry-order-payment
cycle. Consequently, the client implemented Oracle E business suite
across all the sites of its bio-pharmacy and biosciences divisions. It
provided an opportunity to redefine business processes, move them
closer to the customer, and seize competitive advantage. Resultant
improvements in the operations were satisfactory. Client was satisfied
with the reduction in time spent on book closing and order processing.
However, similar efficiency gains were not evident in the following
processes
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Quote-to-order: The custom configured Disposables Assembly
promoted by the bio-pharmacy division witnessed a steady rise in
demand. Very often, the sales team found it difficult to submit the
quotes in a reasonable time. Most of their time was spent in
analyzing the customer inquiries, configuring custom solutions,
checking the availability of components and pricing of the
proposed custom designed Disposables Assembly. Hence,
automation at all the stages of the creation and management of
quotes was a critical requirement |
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Order-to-cash: The client was expanding its reach to new
customers and markets by harnessing the power of Internet. The
number of online orders was increasing steadily. However, it
lacked the capability for real-time credit verification and
settlement of payments. These processes apart from being manual
were discontinuous. Hence, technology enhancements and new
practices were necessary to compress order-to-cash cycle. |
The Solution
The need to compress time in its inquire-order-payment cycle prompted the client to
work with Patni. A team of Patni analysts spent time with the users to study the
existing processes and understand the functional and technological capability of the
client's incumbent information systems. At the end of the study, Patni offered to
implement Oracle Quotes, and Oracle iPayments
Keeping in mind that the bio-pharmacy division offered configurable solutions, Patni
and the client concurred on implementation of Oracle Configurator only at the sites
associated with its operations. All the applications proposed as a part of solution had
inbuilt capability to integrate with the client's technology infrastructure. In concert
with the pre-existing Oracle iOrder, the combination of Oracle iQuote, Oracle
Configurator and Oracle iPayment promised to deliver the full potential of end-toend
automation in the inquire-to-cash process.
The client approved Patni's solution and consented to the
implementation using Oracle's AIM methodology. The scope of the
implementation covered integration with existing infrastructure, minor
customizations and development of relevant workflows. Patni also
facilitated the client to establish linkages with third-party independent
agencies like VeriSign and Merchant eSolutions for the secure processing
of online payments.
Following the completion of implementation, Patni imparted training to
the end-users and ensured a smooth transition to the new way of
managing quotes and receivables.
The Technology
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VeriSign PayFlow Pro
Service Pack |
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Oracle 8i |
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Oracle iPaymenti |
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Oracle Configurator |
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Oracle Order
Management |
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Oracle Advanced
Pricing. |
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The Benefits
Patni helped the client to leverage its existing infrastructure
for improving the business velocity of its operations starting
with the submission of quote till the collection of payments.
The other benefits are as follows:
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Considerable reduction in response time for the submission
of quotes |
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Online payment processing advanced the receipts of
payments by a week. |
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