Tata Interactive Systems implements SAP

The global e-learning producer TATA Interactive Systems (TIS) has invested $1m in making all its processes run on the SAP system.

Sanjaya Sharma, CEO of TIS, commented: “As TIS grows and becomes a truly global producer of e-learning solutions, it needs to have a strong internal system.

”Before we introduced SAP, while we were able to track project execution and key metrics was good, our ability to track projects at a high level of granularity and integration with Human Resources and Finance in terms of metrics and analysis was limited and difficult. Now, we can track everything in a highly integrated manner from initial sales inquiry to proposals and quotations to sales order coming in to the project being completed successfully and onwards through receivables collection”.

The R/3 SAP system –- covering project systems, finance, human resources and so on — went ‘live’ at TIS in September. The CRM-related part of the system is scheduled to go ‘live’ from January 1, 2006.

“SAP integrates all a company’s systems into one”, explained Rati Menon, who has been appointed Head of SAP Implementation at TIS. “Before the advent of SAP, each stakeholder within the company operated individual systems -– and interpreted the data these produced in ways more attuned to his/her immediate function or department needs and priorities, which required constant third party attention and analysis to ensure consistency.

“This often led to the need for frequent manual effort to reconcile data and to ensure consistent interpretation and usage of data.. Using SAP means that there is only one system, which everyone operates.

“This makes it much easier for a project manager to check if a particular project is on track”, she added.

SAP also enables an organization to identify the competencies of each of its workers and match these to the requirements of each project.

“From the client’s perspective, dealing with a company using SAP gives added confidence that a project will be managed even more efficiently and effectively”, Menon continued. “In addition, the CRM element of SAP helps us to more accurately tailor the e-learning solutions we provide for them”.

“TIS is regularly producing e-learning materials that help to train our clients in the implementation and operation of SAP”, said Manoj Kutty, TIS’s Worldwide President of Sales and Marketing. “It’s now much easier for us to produce learning materials on a system such as SAP as we now have actual experience of its usage and benefits.

“Our first hand experience of SAP will help us to make our own systems increasingly efficient and, additionally, will also enable us to satisfy our clients’ needs with regards to SAP learning materials even more efficiently”.

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Notes for Editors:

About Tata Interactive Systems
Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) is a global pioneer in e-learning. A part of the $14 billion Tata Group—one of the largest and most trusted business conglomerates in India—TIS has 15 years of experience in training consulting, designing, and developing innovative and cutting-edge workforce performance enhancement solutions. Its service bouquet includes Consulting; Simulations and Simulation-based Learning Objects (SimBLs™); Story-based Learning Objects (StoBLs™); Game-based Learning Objects (GamBLs™); IT Application Training; Regulatory and Compliance Training; Adaptive Assessments; Sales and Customer Service Training; New Hire Training; Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS); and Business Processes and Skills Training.

TIS employs a global team of 850 multi-disciplinary specialists—a unique mix of Project Managers, Software Engineers, Instructional Designers, Content Developers, Visual Designers, and Animators. It has a strong presence in the US, with operations spread across seven cities—Atlanta, Boston, Carlsbad, Chicago, Dallas, New Jersey, and San Jose—serviced by its development teams stationed locally. In keeping with the co-shoring model, the teams are managed by on-site Project Managers who co-ordinate with the clients and drive the project operations.

Powered by creative talent, sound processes, and technological excellence, TIS has developed 950+ e-learning solutions for more than 300 clients—including more than 50 Fortune 500 companies—across the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Its client roster includes leading corporations, renowned educational institutions and government bodies such as Allstate, American Airlines, Abbey National, American Honda Finance Corporation, British Airways, Citigroup, Cigna, ExxonMobil, Florida Virtual School, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, McKinsey & Co., McGraw-Hill, UNICEF, Unilever, University of Maryland, and University of Phoenix.

Apart from holding ISO 9001 and BS7799 certification, TIS is the only e-learning organization in the world to be assessed at Level 5 in both the SEI CMM and P-CMM frameworks. Classified as a Visionary in the Gartner Group’s coveted ‘magic quadrant,’ TIS’s quest for innovation and excellence is reflected in 22 prestigious industry awards, including Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Award 2004; APEX 2004 Award of Excellence; Best Product at the British Educational Training and Technology (BETT) Show 2004; Training Magazine’s APX Award 2003; and Best E-learning Provider, Best B2B Web Site, and Best Educational Total Comprehensive Solution at the SIIA Codie Awards 2002.

For more information go to http://www.tatainteractive.com

TIS Addresses/Contacts in the US:

New England
Dave Beauchamp
dtbeauchamp@tatainteractive.com,
617-625-0024

Bryan Kantor
bryank@tatainteractive.com
413-568-0244

NY/NJ & Mid-Atlantic
Tij Nerurkar
kshitij@tatainteractive.com
917-804-1766

Gil Weiser
gil@tatainteractive.com
215-431-9822

Henry Williams
henryw@tatainteractive.com
201-225-9627

Michael Liddy
michaell@tatainteractive.com
908-654-0046

South East (Atlanta)
Kashyap Vadapalli
kashyapv@tatainteractive.com
848-250-9723

Canada
Chetan Mahajan
chetan@tatainteractive.com
720-256-5666

Mid-West
Gaj Kasbekar
gajanank@tatainteractive.com
773-793-4604

Texas
Chris Macrorie
chris.macrorie@tatainteractive.com
972-403-1451

Southern California and South West
Tom Paulin
tomp@tatainteractive.com
760-476-9191

Northern California and North West
Veena Adiga
veena@tatainteractive.com
408-452-5752

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Press contacts

Kashyap Vadapalli, Tata Interactive Systems, Atlanta GA.
Phone: 848-250-9723; email: kashyapv@tatainteractive.com

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR.
Phone: +44 1-727-860405; email: bob.little@dial.pipex.com