Answering A Fast Lifestyle, Digital Transformation Is The Key

JAKARTA - In the midst of a modern fast and practical lifestyle, shopping experiences have also evolved. Today's consumers are not only looking for products, but also comfort, service speed, and integration between physical and digital stores.

Not a few buyers currently want to be able to check stock online, shop shopping in stores without long queues, and still get personal services. This phenomenon encourages retailers to transform, so that they remain relevant to higher customer expectations.

Not surprisingly, many business people have started investing in technology so that the operational process can run more agile and efficient, one of which is done by Kawan Lama Group, which is now starting to improve digitally to answer the challenges of the times.

The company has officially started a major step towards digitization by implementing the RISE with SAP, a cloud-based solution from the SAP that supports the modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

For more than a decade, Kawan Lama has used the old ERP system which is now considered no longer adequate, especially in the face of accelerating the expansion and complexity of cross-business unit data. The complicated manual process, lack of stock visibility, and data fragmentation are the main challenges in serving millions of customers throughout Indonesia.

"We grew up very fast and realized our system should be able to keep up with that rate. SAP gave us solutions to operate more efficiently, develop faster, and serve customers better," said Renaldi Tjahaya, Chief Information Officer of Kawan Lama Group.

With the adoption of this cloud-based ERP system, the entire Kawan Lama unit is now connected to a digital platform that focuses on, simplifies operational processes, and strengthens the company's omnichannel strategy.

One significant change is the staff's ability to access real-time stock data between outlets, which was previously a weak point in consumer services.

"Transformation to the digital realm is an important step in their journey to become a company that is smart and ready to face the future," said Andreas Diantoro, Managing Director of SAP Indonesia.

In addition to improving customer service systems, this transformation is also Kawan Lama's initial foothold in strengthening the manufacturing sector and local supply chains. The company targets an increase in accuracy in market demand forecasting, reducing the risk of vacancies in goods, and creating a more targeted promotional strategy entirely based on real-time data.

This strategic step shows that in the midst of changing people's lifestyles that are getting faster and more digital, the business world must adjust the rhythm. On many lines, digital change or transformation is no longer an option, but a need to grow and serve better.