TVS uses IT to streamline dealer network

Zia Askari

With an aim to provide seamless exchange of information between the company and its dealer community, TVS Motor Company is embarking on a plan to provide help to its 500 odd dealers in implementing Dealer Management Software (DMS).

"We have already initiated the implementation process at the pilot level. Currently, we are running these pilots at four locations. Gradually, it will be implemented on a national scale with all our dealers," informed Hosur based CIO of TVS Motor Company Venkat Iyer.

According to him, providing a centralized support towards addressing IT issues, the software is designed in such a way so as to bridge the connectivity gap between the dealer and the company. Bangalore based MindTree Consulting is tailoring the DMS according to the needs of TVS dealers in the Indian region.

"Apart from centralizing dealer information workflow, the software also helps us in getting our customers better. It is our way to extending our touch point with the customers. We have structured the software in such a way that there would be two servers - one at the dealer level and one at the central level. In a single day both these servers will talk to each other three to four times and critical data will be shared," he explained.

This apart, the company is also running a pilot to test the usage of RFID at the assembly level. "An important requirement for efficient supply chain management is keeping track of your inventory at the pallet, case or item level. Advances in tracking technology for packaged goods have entered a new phase with the latest development in automatic identification and data capture technology - radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. We would be putting the 'engine number' on RFID tags to be able to monitor it at the assembly level," Iyer informed.

Selling more than 1.1 million vehicles annually, the company is one of the automotive heavyweights in India.

- CyberMedia News