Kia Motors partners with Aitken Spence to deploy Oracle Solution to automate processes

Kia Motors (Lanka) Ltd, the sole local distributor for the popular Korean automobile brand, has successfully deployed Oracle E-Business Suite to integrate and streamline the company’s operations. The deployment was completed in 14 months by Aitken Spence Technologies, a Gold level member of Oracle Partner Network (OPN).

Prior to the deployment of Oracle E-Business Suite, the legacy systems were providing an isolated view of the business operation, while too many tasks including intercompany invoicing were being done manually. With the help of Oracle E-Business Suite and its modules, Kia Motors (Lanka) has completely automated the process from quotation to post-sales servicing at its head office in Colombo and its post-sales servicing centres at Peliyagoda, Baseline Road and Kurunegala. The Oracle solution has enabled KIA Motors to track end-to-end customer and vehicle history, customer sales process and advance payment, while automating intercompany sales and stocks deduction.

Kia Motors (Lanka) Director Rodney Mason cuts a cake to celebrate the launch of the Oracle E-Business Suite in the presence of (from left): Oracle South Asia Growth Economies Regional Sales Director Chandita Samaranayake, Aitken Spence Director/Chief Corporate Officer Vipula Gunatilleka, Aitken Spence Technologies Chief Operating Officer Dhammika Dasa, Kia Motors (Lanka) Chief Operating Officer Andrew Perera and Kia Motors (Lanka) Managing Director Mahen Thambiah

Speaking at the go-live ceremony for the implementation, the company’s Managing Director Mahen Thambiah described it as a significant step forward in the progress of Kia in Sri Lanka, a brand that has achieved significant growth in the market over the past few years to become one of the highest selling automobile brands in the country.

Aitken Spence Technologies implemented the solution, which was fully integrated with the Kia’s existing IT infrastructure. The implemented solution includes Oracle Financials, Oracle Inventory Management, Oracle Purchasing, Oracle Order Management, Oracle Landed Cost Management, Oracle Service Contracts and Oracle Depot Repair.

“With the implementation of Oracle E-Business Suite, we are hoping to empower KIA to become more agile and dynamic and able to adapt to the fast moving automobile industry, helping it strengthen its position as a leading player in the market,” said Aitken Spence Technologies Director/Chief Corporate Officer Vipula Gunetileka. “Oracle solutions will also help produce key performance indicator (KPI) reports for Kia’s supply chain and finance operations.”

“The need to be able to take quick and informed decisions, has become more important in today’s competitive business environment, meaning that organisations need to be able to address the business challenges with greater automation and efficiency,” said Oracle South Asia Growth Economies Regional Sales Director, Application Business Chandita Samaranayake.

“Oracle E-Business Suite has enabled Kia Motors to make quick and informed decisions by providing the management with a 360 degree view of key information and as a result of the automation they can focus more on strategic business issues and processes.”

Kia Motors (Lanka), which has represented the Kia brand in Sri Lanka since 1996, was adjudged the ‘Most Improved’ distributor in the region at the 2014 Asia – Pacific Parts Conference of MOBIS – the spare parts division of the Kia-Hyundai Group. In May 2013, the company was nominated as Kia’s ‘Distributor of Distinction’ in acknowledgement of its ‘Professionalism of the Highest Degree and Outstanding Sales Performance in the Asia Region.’

A maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart, Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over three million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan – ‘The Power to Surprise’ – represents the company’s global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.