“Instead of receiving after-the-fact reports, we’re now able to address issues as they arise and remedy them much more quickly.”

Arend Kotzé, Chief Executive Officer, On the Dot

On the Dot—a multiple supply chain media logistics business in South Africa—wanted to automate its supply chain reporting, which required manual intervention to extract information. Around 300 unique users now receive near real-time distribution statistics through Microsoft SQL Server 2005 data management software. On the Dot has gained a key advantage over its competitors. Distribution managers save time, gain insights, and can act quickly based on customised reports.

Business NeedsOn the Dot logistics operations include 20 newspapers and 120 magazines, in addition to internet, book publishing, and retail logistics.

The company employs 1,500 permanent staff and approximately 3,300 contractors, providing subscription management, distribution, and fulfilment services for book, magazine, newspaper, retail divisions, and other external companies. It works with distribution agents to serve mainly publishers’ needs, but is responsible for the supply chain and therefore needs to report regularly on circulation statistics and other metrics.Leon Nortje, IT team member at On the Dot, says: “We used to create complex reports with large amounts of data, manually consolidating information from multiple data sources. These reports were transferred to customers either as printed reports or in email messages. This process of compiling and distributing reports was labour intensive and time consuming. Because of the time it took to consolidate reports, there was little chance to address errors proactively.”

Arend Kotzé, Chief Executive Officer, On the Dot, adds: “Reports had largely become after-the-fact analysis, with little value for day-to-day business decisions.”

On the Dot wanted a business intelligence (BI) environment capable of generating automated reporting and analysis for greater visibility over—and better management of—its supply chain. The software needed to integrate with the company’s existing Cognos business analytics tools, as well as its new Oracle enterprise resource planning software.

Nortje says: “We used to get more than 20 telephone calls a day from different customers, raising queries about distribution. This was damaging our reputation for excellent customer service.”

SolutionIn 2007, On the Dot decided to work with Microsoft BI and collaboration technology to automate and modernise its supply chain management reporting for distributing newspapers, magazines, and other products. The logistics division collaborated with Microsoft partners in various phases of the development, but carried out most of the work in-house.

The solution uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for aggregating data in data cubes, and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services, SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services, and Cognos for analysis. The solution includes Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 for browser-based

Customer: On the DotWebsite: www.onthedot.co.zaNumber of Employees: 4,800Country or Region: South AfricaIndustry: Media and entertainment

Customer ProfileOn the Dot is a multiple supply chain media logistics business in South Africa.

Software and Services Microsoft Server Product Portfolio− Microsoft SQL Server 2005− Windows Server 2003

Microsoft Office− Microsoft Office SharePoint Server

2007 Technologies− Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis

Services− Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Reporting Services

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Microsoft Server Product PortfolioCustomer Solution Case Study

Media Logistics Provider Gains Competitive Advantage with Business Intelligence Tools

reporting to internal and external audiences. An easy-to-use interface was built with customised reports to cover key performance indicators on subscriptions, circulation and returns, exceptions, stock levels, and geographical distribution.

Twenty-four On the Dot branches throughout South Africa now receive reports and analysis in near real time, with Office SharePoint Server 2007 used to manage document workflows. The familiar look and feel of Microsoft BI tools has helped the solution gain widespread adoption—approximately 300 unique users generate around 3,000 hits a month.

On the Dot finds the Microsoft BI platform to be highly adaptable and easy to integrate with other line-of-business applications. Nortje says: “We went through some learning stages with Office SharePoint Server 2007 and its component Excel Services, which helps users to load and display Excel workbooks in SharePoint. We turned to Dundas Charts for data visualisation and now use FusionCharts, which is a more robust solution that fits easily with Microsoft technology.”

BenefitsThe Microsoft BI environment is helping On the Dot improve its customer service by providing more transparency of the logistics process, as well as the circulation metrics for publications. It gives senior executives better insights into stock levels, geographical distribution, and circulation.

Competitive advantage. Kotzé says: “On the Dot now has an advantage over other media logistics providers in South Africa because it can provide better process reporting and transparency than its competitors.”

Improved reporting. Nortje adds: “With our distribution dashboard, where users view information in near real time, we no longer receive 20 calls a day. Every senior head office distribution team member saves around 30 minutes a day.”

Lower costs. With the solution in place, On the Dot is cutting costs by reducing the manual labour previously required to prepare distribution reports. It also no longer needs to distribute printed reports physically.

Better business insight. The new BI environment provides internal and external customers with near real time reporting. Kotzé says: “Instead of receiving after-the-fact reports, we’re now able to address issues as they arise and remedy them much more quickly.”

Future-proof solution. On the Dot is relying on Microsoft BI technology for its business-critical analytics and reporting applications. Nortje says: “The solution is highly scalable and adaptable. With the Microsoft BI environment, we have a robust foundation, and since we’ve done most of the development in-house, we’re confident we’ll be able to adapt the solution to evolving business needs.”

This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.

Document published April 2011