Coal India fast-tracks ERP to combat systems obsolescence

Enterprise Resource Planning expected to usher in efficiency, greater transparency, transformation and consumer friendly approach in business process

In a bid to integrate all aspects of its business operations into a single easy-to-use system, state-owned miner Coal India is fast tracking the process of migrating from its legacy CoalNet - used in IT systems - to an ERP solution while it plans to implement the same solution across its subsidiaries.

According to the company, ERP (enterprise resource planning) is expected to usher in efficiency, greater transparency, transformation and consumer friendly approach in the business processes of the organisation.

In this endeavour, it has already roped in Gurgaon based Management Development Institute (MDI) - under the finance ministry - as a consultant and has tasked it to evaluate the existing IT system and the process of seamlessly transfering and migrate to ERP.

MDI will also tender the document preparation for final selection of ERP software and its implementation services.

"The future will be more and more technology driven. Considering the sise of our organisation and operations it is essential we have an integrated business management system, in sync with the times, that aligns the functions of all the departments", a senior company official said.

According to the same official, CoalNet has limited business functionality and may face technology obsolescence problems.

The state owned coal behemoth is faced with stiff production and off-take targets in the ensuing years that require big purchase of equipments through tenders, infrastructure development, increased logistics for coal movement. It then becomes essential there is an integrated information access system for quicker decision making, operational ease and greater transparency.

The thrust for ERP had received a shot-in-the-arm after Coal India chairman, Sutirtha Bhattacharya made it a business imperative in September last year. However, the company and its subsidiaries will continue to use the in-house CoalNet until ERP is fully implemented.