An IT enablement workshop cum seminar under Project Vikas was conducted on 31st December, 2008 in association with Ambur Economic Development Organisation (AEDOL) and South India Shoe Manufacturers Association (SISMA). The event was held at the Ambur Tech meeting hall and was supported by Ambur Tanners Association.
The event attracted many entrepreneurs and IT work force engaged in the leather industry. Around 90 participants attended the training. This event was a refresher course for them. According to the SISMA Secretary, Mr.Shafeeq Ahmed and ATA Secretary, Mr.Faiyaz, the event was successful.
The key speakers at the event were Mr.Shafeeq Ahmed, Mr.Rafeeq Ahmed, Chairman, AEDOL and Mr S S Sankaramoorthi, Senior Technical Adviser, APEX Clusters.
Mr Shafeeq assured of his support to Project Vikas. He spelt out the challenges being faced by the industry and also indicated that the state’s share in exports was declining. To improve this situation and to be ready to face global competition, he requested all the exporters (small, medium and large) to adopt IT solutions. This would help them to be more system dependent and not people dependent which would cut down the human errors. He also discussed the project’s objectives of setting up of E-Readiness Centre and called for large participation in the centre as well as the portal under development.
Mr Hafeezur Rahman welcomed the participants and briefed them about the importance of IT adoption. He also thanked Microsoft for its support and appreciated the efforts of APEX to make enable the event.
Mr S S Sankaramoorthi, Senior Technical Adviser, APEX Clusters presented the importance of the Cluster Development Approach and talked about the immediate challenges and solutions for the industry. He also spoke on the importance of cluster development through usage of IT systems development and training.
The participants were informed about the latest IT based solutions and IT developments that are specific to the leather industry. Along with other topics, a cluster development approach to develop the cluster in a holistic way was also discussed. This was useful and informative.
The participants were explained about the effectiveness of business intelligence systems and were told that the need of the hour is to strengthen the cluster in a modern way through IT. The methodology to tackle the global challenges ahead for this export-oriented cluster was also discussed. Use of new technologies was also emphasised.
ERP solutions developed by Microsoft partners, Firstware Solutions, for the leather units as well as product units were demonstrated to the participants. They were well received by the gathering. During the interactive session, further requirements as well as their wish list were discussed and these are being looked upon for incorporation.
Though the ERP solutions being developed under the project initiatives were welcomed by the SME participants, they expressed their wish to get specific modules like inventory, production and planning management, materials requirement planning, HR, payroll, etc.
The participants also expressed their need for integrated software skills training as well as advanced trainings like Six Sigma / Lean manufacturing etc, along with the IT specific trainings.