Datatex weaves ERP for textiles

BANGALORE: The Enterprise Resource Planning has to be seamlessly integrated into the processes of a company. An ERP product exclusively for the textile industry is exactly what is needed to boost the $20 billion Indian textile sector, which is the world’s second largest.

In a bid to increase its presence and sales, European ERP product company, Datatex is in a partnership with Bangalore based software services company, Infinite Computer Solutions (ICS) as its business partner for India and the neighboring markets. As per the agreement, ICS would market, implement and support Datatex’s flagship ERP product, Textile Infrastructure Management (TIM). Datatex officials do not discount product development outsourcing to ICS in the future.

Datatex has been present in the Indian market for the past five years through IBM Global Services, which had helped them win five customers spread across 15 sites. Some of the existing customers in India include Bilwara Group, Birla Group and Vardaman Group.

David Vider responsible for the South Asia and Asia Pacific region of Datatex says, "IBM is our global partner and has partnered with a lot many vendors like us. India being such a large market, we wanted a partner who could give some dedicated attention and time in helping us grow. ICS was the right choice, because they are aggressive and hungry for growth."

The $20 million Swiss-Italy headquartered company is planning to release a new version of the product on Java platform and expects to release it by 2005. Presently Datatex ERP runs on AS400, which they claim is reliable and low on maintenance.

The partnership also marks the entry of ICS into the textile market. "Out of the $20 billion textile market in India, about 20 per cent comes from the South. We have set up sales offices in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad and expect to have four to five new customers for Datatex this year," said Rohan Rodrigues, Asst. Vice President - Business Development, ICS.

The Indian partner has already won them a deal for implementing Datatex ERP in UK based Cuthberts’ Bangalore center. The implementation is in the first phase and is expected to be completed by April this year, and second phase by July.

Datatex expects to grow by 25 per cent over last year’s revenue of $20 million and has over 350 customers across 35 countries.