Rift Valley Railways (RVR) this week adopted a new management system called SAP.
The management tool is expected to significantly improve RVR’s service delivery to its customers, enhance the company internal operations by synchronizing all its departmental functions and also improve and simplify decision making, helping to streamline operations, reduce costs and eliminate duplication.
The US$ 4m project was funded by the World Bank, supported by Aegis, an India-based company whose mandate was to train staff, install and execute the system.
RVR adopts SAP at a time when there is growing demand for the company to fasten its operations and have the Uganda-Kenya railway well refurbished in order to become the perfect alternative to road transport which is currently the main means of transporting goods between Mombasa and Kampala.
Repairs on worn out wagons, culverts and railway slippers are ongoing and if completed, the railway will have a much better look.
Read full statement from RVR Below
In a bid to make its work environment up to standard, Rift Valley Railways has officially launchedSAP an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tool. The US$ 4m project was funded by the World Bank, supported by Aegis, an India-based company whose mandate was to train staff, install and execute the system. Staff that will be using SAP went through vigorous training from August 2012 to January 2013 mainly in the areas rolling stock management, Quality Management, Human resource management, finance and accounting, controlling and supply chain management.
Speaking at the launch, RVR CEO Darlan De David said, “The installation of SAP is one of the projects RVR has undertaken to improve delivery to both its external and internal customers. TheSAP programme is an integrated Enterprise Resource planner in which you can effectively manage your money, materials, manufacturing and machines. To RVR, this is a powerful tool which integrates multiple business processes and functions into a comprehensive systemwhich will omit the risk of duplication, mistakes and inconsistency in data. To our customers and suppliers, SAP enables us become more efficient is our service to you. The system will monitor sales opportunities, marketing opportunities and prospects which may become actual orders for the benefit of the organization”.
Commenting on the system, Mark Rumanyika the General Manager said, “Since RVR is expanding its services, the SAP system is timely to enhance company operations to run in a synchronized mannerin all its departmental functions. All activities within the company will be monitored closely which will easeaccountability. This system is also expected to actively create easier global integration by bridging barriers of currency exchange rates, language and culture.”
“Furthermore, real time information will be provided which will create a more efficient work environment for employees and also ease executive overview and decisions making in regard to company operations and performance. This will consequently bring in long term returns since top executives will have immediate information at their disposal but also empower employees with job superiority and knowledge of what’s happening in all different departments. He also expressedhis gratitude to staff who participated in preparation of the system.
The SAP system comes at a time when RVR has embarked on its five-year turnaround programme that kicked off last year. Other projects include; Overhaul of 365 wagons through a KFW grant which has seen over 149 wagons rehabilitated, and overhaul of 8 locomotives that has commenced, replacement of 70km of rail between Mombasa and Nairobi in Kenya has completed 48Km so far, and repair of nine major culverts between Busembatia and Jinja which is at its final stages, and the ongoing rehabilitation of Tororo-Pakwach railway line, all intended to improve RVRs operational efficiency over a five year period.
For additional information related to this release contact Cerinah Zalwango
-Ends-
