(AstraZeneca to automate and streamline its financial processes with Microsoft Dynamics NAV and to build efficiencies in payroll processing with Columbus HR)
Dubai - Astrazeneca FZ LLC, subsidiary of AstraZeneca AB, the world's fifth largest pharmaceutical firm announces the signing of contract with Columbus IT, leading Microsoft Dynamics Partner for the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Columbus HR.
The initial phase of the project will see the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV financials modules covering General Ledger and Dimensions, Fixed Assets, Purchases and Payables. Columbus IT will help deploy the integrated solution at AstraZeneca's Dubai office, to be followed in other regions inline with the requirements of the pharmaceutical major's growth and expansion for the region.
AstraZeneca looks to the new system to deliver specific functionalities of generating real-time accurate information on critical business and operational activities and recording financial transactions by different dimensions and performing analysis on those dimensions. Scalability to meet continuously the changing business needs and flexibility to adapt to the healthcare-specific processes, while managing the current growth, is also a key requirement. Another consideration is Microsoft Navision's capability to handle intercompany postings and transactions within the group controlled by the same legal entity.
AstraZeneca has also selected Columbus HR, from Columbus IT for optimizing payroll management processes. Columbus HR has the flexibility to handle different payroll situations and a variety of compensation and benefit programs specific to healthcare industry.
Setting up of a consolidated financial and payroll system for the pharmaceutical drug provider entails the key challenge of handling multi-integration of applications. Microsoft NAV will be integrated with the company's existing internal expense claim system and also with Columbus HR's Payroll processor. Columbus IT will also create an interface between NAV and the banking reconciliatory system which will help streamlining transactions with AstraZeneca's bank.
"We were looking for a sophisticated yet easy-to-use integration tool for our growing business needs. What we required was an application that not merely gives us an integrated and consolidated view of the financials on demand, but one that provides business insight and identifies new opportunities and meets our needs both in the present and in the future", said Mr. Michael Dercksen, CFO, AstraZeneca Gulf.
After an extensive evaluation, AstraZeneca chose Microsoft Dynamics NAVISION over other ERP applications in the market and signed up with Columbus IT as its preferred partner for the implementation.
"Dynamics NAVISION scored over others in terms of flexibility, integration capabilities, clear upgrade paths, customization and feature-rich capabilities. And with Columbus IT, we are impressed with their established track record of customer successes in the region and their ability to provide the right consultancy that best fits in with our requirements. They took a real interest in our business during pre-sales and won our confidence", commented, Mr. Damanvir Singh, IS/IT Manager, AstraZeneca Gulf.
"We are delighted to welcome AstraZeneca into our expanding family of customers, said Mr.Manjeet Singh, Managing Director, Columbus IT Middle East. We understand the specific demands of the Life sciences industry and how information-intensive it is. With Microsoft Dynamics NAV solution in place, AstraZeneca can expect to reap the benefits of information integration, visibility and accessibility. We look forward to taking this partnership to greater heights and enable AstraZeneca in delivering world-class healthcare services to the benefit of the region".
Columbus IT Middle East recently won the recognition of being the finalist for the Microsoft Dynamics EMEA partner of the year 2007 award. And it has gained the biggest market share for NAV in Microsoft's FY 07 (July 06 - June 07)
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (www.astrazeneca.com )is a major international healthcare business engaged in research, development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals.AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of US $26.47billion and is a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection product sales. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4GoodIndex.
About Columbus IT
Columbus IT is a global technology consulting company specializing in improving the performance of enterprises across Retail, Manufacturing, Distribution, and Professional Service industries by implementing ERP, BI and CRM systems. The company has over 1000 employees who work in 28 countries around the world, and customers in 57 countries. Columbus IT has a huge customer base which consists of more than 5,000 successful implementations since 1989. Bringing international vertical solutions and an established implementation methodology to the region, Columbus IT Middle-East currently serves the region through offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah Bahrain and Qatar. For more information, visit www.columbusit.ae
About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of integrated, adaptable business management solutions that enables you and your people to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics works like familiar Microsoft software such as Microsoft Office, which means less of a learning curve for your people, so they can get up and running quickly and focus on what's most important. And because it is from Microsoft, it easily works with the systems that your company already has implemented. By automating and streamlining financial, customer relationship, and supply chain processes, Microsoft Dynamics brings together people, processes, and technologies, increasing the productivity and effectiveness of your business, and helping you drive business success.
For more information about Microsoft Dynamics, go to:
www.microsoft.com/dynamics
For more information, please contact:
Anilesh Kumar
Marketing Manager
Columbus IT Middle East
Tel:+971-4-3038304
Mob: +971-50-4573702
Email: aku@ae.columbusit.com
Michael Dercksen
Chief Financial Officer
AstraZeneca Gulf
Tel: +971 0 4 362-4870
Email: michael.dercksen@astrazeneca.com
Damanvir Singh
IS Manager
AstraZeneca Gulf
Tel: +971 0 4 362-4870
Fax: + 971 0 4 362-4898/362-4899
Email: damanvir.singh@astrazeneca.com
© Press Release 2007
