Acesita Reformulates Business Management Model With IBM

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL - 29 Jun 2006: Acesita, the sole integrated manufacturer of flat stainless and silicon steels in Latin America, announced today the results of a major investment in the transformation of its management model and overhaul of its IT environment. The implementation was jointly led with IBM Global Business Services. Two hundred professionals were involved in the project.

˝Based on the identification of key business factors and the implementation of SAP R/3, Acesita can now review and adapt its IT governance and information systems model. This initiative is fundamental for our corporate strengthening as we can now work in a way that is more closely integrated with the changing needs of the business,˝ said Ilder Camargo, Project and Systems Executive, Acesita.

By implementing a new business management model based on SAP R/3 with IBM, Acesita has increased the speed of decision-making as the project has made available a new cost and profitability model that enables online profit margin management. This allows the company to decide whether a given proposal should be pursued further or not.

Additionally, Acesita is reaping benefits in areas including increased labor productivity, improved supply chain process and reduced information systems maintenance costs.

According to Alexandre Kato, IBM Global Business Services consultant, ˝We conducted a sophisticated implementation; it not only involved change to introduce technology adjustments, but was also capable of predicting the benefits that the wide-ranging management project would bring to the business.˝

Acesita selected IBM Global Business Services as its partner in the project, after a process that included the assessment of the provider´s business knowledge, and change management experience -- a key factor in the implementation of business management solutions; technical implementation skills and subsequent transfer of knowledge to Acesita. Another major requirement was the integration of the ERP system with Acesita´s legacy production systems, which was solved using IBM´s WebSphere Business Integration solution.

Background to project
This initiative derived from the company´s need to update its information technology. As it carried out an assessment of its IT, Acesita identified the opportunity to conduct a wider-scope reformulation of its business, involving a new management model, of which technology was just one component. The company with IBM went on to define its core competencies and the business and IT infrastructure that would be required to support the new model.

As a result of this effort, the company arrived at five elements it considered key factors for the success of its business operations: becoming a world-class manufacturer, dominating its target market, achieving excellence in global finance and process management, improving personnel recruitment and development and increasing shareholders´ trust.

About IBM
For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.

About Acesita
Acesita S.A. -- a company related to Arcelor, the world´s leading steel manufacturer in its segments of operation -- is the sole integrated manufacturer of flat stainless steel and silicon steel products in Latin America. It is an industry leader in the Brazilian market, with 90% market share, and has global operations with exports to 57 countries. Its Timóteo/MG plant has an installed capacity to produce 900 thousand tons of liquid steel per year. The Company gives direct employment to more than 3,000 people. The environment is a major concern for Acesita´s business. The Company has invested over US$ 60 million in process improvements with an environmental focus, coupled with the deployment of educational programs based on employee and community involvement. In addition to the environment, through the Acesita Foundation the Company places a strong focus on culture, education, social initiatives and professional training. Created in 1994 in Timóteo, the Foundation has already expanded its activities to the Valley of Jequitinhonha, the region where Acesita Energy is located. For more information, please visit: www.acesita.com.br.

Source: IBM
www.ibm.com

2006-07-02 11:56

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