Mark Checkley This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Hitachi rolls out new European e-technology platform from syntegra

   www.syntegra.com/magazine/2002 - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/8/2001   Last Visited: 9/4/2002

   Mark Checkley, Business Solutions Manager for the Information Technology Group (ITG) at Hitachi Europe Ltd. (HEL), explains: "We knew that in order to maintain our leading position in an increasingly competitive business, we had to exploit the full potential of the web, both internally and with our customers and suppliers.
   
   "The fact that the electronics market is cyclical simply means that we have to consider precisely over which time period we can afford to make that investment."
   
   Gartner backs up this view, warning that those who neglect newer technologies in the short term may be ill equipped to exploit new ideas and business models once the upturn arrives (Staffing IT, March 2002).
   
   HEL was founded in 1982, and has its headquarters in Maidenhead, Berkshire. It also has offices strategically located in each of the key European countries.
   ...
   "Some of our suppliers and competitors had e-capability already, so we knew we had to move quickly", said Checkley.
   
   "Harnessing energy and ideas from within the business, we took the strategic decision to build a common e-business platform that would support a range of web-based applications, both to raise customer service levels and to streamline our internal processes."
   
   "One of the biggest challenges was doing this in a cost-effective fashion; that's why we opted for a single infrastructure whose cost could be leveraged across HEL's eleven business groups."
   
   But HEL recognised that it couldn't undertake such a large-scale and business-critical IT programme alone, and so in early 2000 issued a formal Invitation To Tender (ITT) to a list of preferred suppliers. Mark describes HEL at that time as essentially a ‘green-field' site. "We had Internet access and an intranet, but no e-capability; no hardware, software or skills in-house for electronic business."
   
   "We chose Syntegra as our strategic technology partner" HEL used a sophisticated matrix of criteria to select a technology partner with the capability, the strategy and the vision to deliver the e-technology programme, and in May 2000 selected Syntegra as that partner.
   
   Mark Checkley, e-business team leader for the programme said: "Syntegra was originally on our list because of a long-standing business relationship with them. They have worked well with us before on implementing our ERP system and many other business critical initiatives.
   
   "But ultimately we felt confident that Syntegra would be able to deliver, due to the company's demonstrable experience in delivering technology solutions to large global enterprises. This experience was really important, as we are not an organisation that likes to take big risks."
   
   "Overall Syntegra had a good methodology, good vision, and understood our needs very well. "
   ...
   Checkley explains: "Two streams of work went on simultaneously: firstly, the roll out of the technology infrastructure that would underpin our entire e-capability, and secondly the development and roll out of the first application to run on the platform; a customer self-service application (CSS) giving distributors and OEMs 24-hour access to their orders and delivery status via the web.
   
   "The delivery of the CSS application, to the Digital Media Group (DMG) within HEL, was a crucial time for us because we had to prove the methodology for the entire programme was right, and realise business benefits quickly. With this first application, jointly designed and developed with Syntegra, we had to prove to the board that they had made the right decision in funding a significant investment at an economically testing time."
   
   "Customers were able to track their orders in real-time" "The CSS application was a big success, with our customers reporting a significant increase in satisfaction. Previously our distributors were not able to track orders in an efficient or simple way."
   ...
   Checkley says that HEL will continue to invite Syntegra to bid for work. "Within ITG we have a very good working relationship with them. Their people bring expert knowledge in areas where we are lacking.
   
   "For example we are currently in the planning stages of a B2B procurement project for which Syntegra will be our strategic technology partner."