New high-tech smart solution to help ease communication, automate process of ordering and track performance

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 9th July 2008.  Unilever, one of the world's largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, announced today the introduction of a unique hi-tech solution to help ease communication and information flow between its sales team.  Unilever's sales force across Arabia now has megabytes more power at their fingertips thanks to a feature-packed handheld solution known as Sales Automation Wireless Application (SAWA). This application is run on a hand-held mobile phone.

SAWA, the hi-tech solution for General Trade Salesmen totally revolutionizes the way the team works - from automating the process of ordering to measuring performance against targets. SAWA also allows the sales team to shelf check, monitor warehouse stock levels as well as generate sales productivity reports. The smart application, part of the "SAWA" project; (the Arabic word for 'together'), was developed by the Unilever Mashreq IT team.

According to Mohammed Saeed, Managing Director Customer Development, Unilever Arabian Gulf, "SAWA will enable our sales team to work more effectively and efficiently. It allows instant digital access to our inventory and more importantly it is a great tool to measure and closely monitor our performance".

SAWA has been successfully launched earlier in Unilever Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, becoming instrumental in adopting the best practices of the region and one of the recommended solutions by the AACEE IT CD team. "We have decided to introduce it to our region as it has proved to be a very effective tool for Unilever in other regions", adds Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman Unilever North Africa Middle East.

So, what can SAWA do?

  • Record orders and cash payments/checks

  • Print invoices and receipts

  • Shelf check

  • Check warehouse stock levels

  • Merchandising

  • Present images related to new launches and promotion products

  • Questionnaire on market trends and competitor activities

  • Sales productivity reports

  • Set targets and compare performance

  • Route planning

The project was launched in January this year and is now successfully running across the UAE and Bahrain.

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About Unilever
Unilever is one of the world's largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies with strong local roots in over 100 countries across the globe. With a leadership position on many of the categories in which it operates Unilever's portfolio includes some of the world's best known brands including Lipton, Dove, Lux, Sunsilk, Knorr, Omo, amongst others that have today become common household brands.

Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs of nutrition, hygiene and personal care.

Unilever North Africa and Middle East (NAME) is the region's single largest TV advertiser with local offices and partnerships spread across the 20 countries in the region. Fore more information please visit: www.unilever.com

© Press Release 2008