MindQuad Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the IT head for Sunhearrt Ceramic. In my role, I oversee the functional and technical aspects of the Microsoft Dynamics division at my company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MindQuad Solution?

We hired MindQuad Solution to help create a centralized ERP solution. At the time, we were using three separate applications to gather data for business decisions, and we wanted to streamline the process into one system.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MindQuad Solution began the project by running several demonstrations of Microsoft Dynamics, the application set they suggested. Once we decided on this option, they helped us execute the solution based around all of our business cycles. Their team identified any potential loopholes and provided guidance on how to solve them. They helped us with the entire implementation process, including the financial, personnel, and marketing logistics and the CRM modules.

What is the team composition?

We worked with their head project manager, who organized the process. They also provided 3–4 additional teammates.

How did you come to work with MindQuad Solution?

We chose MindQuad Solution because their presentation, consultation, and support during the selection process stood out. They were fully committed to the project and were willing to produce several demos of various ERP solutions. Also, we liked that they charged us strictly on the staff-size needed to complete the project with no additional costs.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent 20 lakh rupees (approximately $28,000 USD) on the project. The MindQuad Solution team was always focused on helping us succeed and giving us the maximum benefit for the price.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with MindQuad Solution from January–April 2017; they committed to a four-month implementation period.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

After implementing the ERP solution, we were able to reduce the number of employees dedicated to the logistics, billing, and business departments. The new system smoothed and streamlined our process, which helped us save time and manpower within the company. We’re now able to supply more resources to our marketing team. 

How did MindQuad Solution perform from a project management standpoint?

We primarily communicated through email and phone. MindQuad Solution asked us for all the relevant information and gave us pertinent reminders throughout the project. Their team was available at any hour to solve a problem. They used a management tool and integrated our data into it to manage the process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their focus on customer satisfaction stood out, and they were ready to support us whenever we needed it. MindQuad Solution’s around-the-clock availability made them different from other vendors—they always focused on our needs. Rather than make excuses to delay a problem, their team was willing to solve issues on the spot.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing to improve. We were quite pleased with their service.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the general manager at Natural Valley Limited. We produce and distribute a brand of mineral water called Manzivalley.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with MindQuad Solution Pvt. Ltd.?

We were looking for help to implement an ERP. We needed to collect the history of transactions so we could know which customers order and how much business we are doing in particular segments in our market. The company had been running for about nine years when I joined, and the information was disjointed as we didn’t have everything in one place.

Initially, another company did an implementation, but we were not happy with it. The program we had previously didn’t allow us to manufacture the way we wanted to, and the information in our distribution channels was not accurate. As a result, we ended up spending too much time trying to dig up information as to which customers owed us and how much.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

MindQuad came in and rescued the project. They built an ERP for us using Microsoft Dynamics NAV. They initially developed a working model, and we began checking things off and started doing user acceptance testing over a month. Once we were happy with it, we tackled each module, one at a time. We started with invoicing and, two months later, moved onto a customized application on Android. Our sales team is able to go out with a tablet and do their sales, come back to the office, and upload those sales to the NAV server.

After our engagement ended, we signed a service level agreement with them. We pay them to maintain our system, and we have yet to use up the 150 hours per year that are allocated to us.

What is the team composition?

Their main marketing and sales director collected the information from us in English and translated it so that the technicians could understand, and then, we worked with the technical director. We also worked with someone who specialized in accounting who researched Zambian taxes and duties.

How did you come to work with MindQuad Solution Pvt. Ltd.?

I had contacted someone in India for a separate project to run our payroll, and I mentioned that we were having challenges with our provider and that we were looking for someone else. He put me in touch with the director of MindQuad. They offered to come to us free of charge and do what needed to be done. They told us we would only have to pay if we were satisfied with the project. We looked at the quality of work they were doing as well as what they were charging us, and we were quite happy with it.

How much have you invested in them?

We spent $35,000 to do the initial implementation, which was significantly less expensive than the first company we worked with.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on this project from January–March 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

MindQuad came in and rescued the project. They gave us what we wanted. Our biggest change is that managing our inventory became more efficient. Taking stock takes less time. Formerly, monthly stock checks resulted in huge variances, which were up to $250,000 losses monthly. We now check stock twice a year. The results were good, and the loss was reduced to $17,000. Now, we can track stock easily and trace it from the point where it comes into our stores or through production. We are now able to see our variable costs through the production module. It allowed us to adapt our pricing to make sure that we don’t run into any issues.

Our accounting team says that bank reconsolidation and year-end audits are much easier. Our auditors can remotely now access information quicker and in a format they want. They do most of the work from their side, and they come over to our office for two weeks as opposed to spending six weeks doing our audit. Now, we have our audit report within one month, and we save costs that way as well.

How did MindQuad Solution Pvt. Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?

Initially, they all flew to Zambia. Following that, two technicians came back to do the implementation and get us up and running. I was always in touch through Skype with the two technicians. Someone would always take my call at any hour. They could log into my servers and fix any issues.

Now, for maintenance, they always respond within a reasonable amount of time, and they’ve taught me how to deal with technical issues that come up. Now, I know how to troubleshoot problems.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re interested in having our system work. I present a problem to them, and they give us a solution. They continuously come up with new and more efficient ways of doing tasks in our systems.

We can’t afford to upgrade to NAV 2019, so we’re still using 2013. They’re developing a quality control model to work in NAV 2013, even though most of their clients have already moved up to the 2019 version. Their team is still working to make our system more efficient and I respect them for that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Some of their technicians could improve their understanding of the customer’s problem. There have been one or two instances where the technician I spoke to completely misunderstood what I wanted, and it affected the structures in the database. It ended up being more work than usual.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the F&O consultant of Archerpoint

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Erp

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire MindQuad Solutions Pvt. Ltd. to accomplish?

• Increase technical skills

SOLUTION

How did you find MindQuad Solutions Pvt. Ltd.?

Online Search

Why did you select MindQuad Solutions Pvt. Ltd. over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from MindQuad Solutions Pvt. Ltd. were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• ERP
• Business development
• implementation and integration

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Appreciations

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes they were always on time with all requirements.

What was your primary form of communication with MindQuad Solutions Pvt. Ltd.?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Nothing

Are there any areas for improvement or something MindQuad Solutions Pvt. Ltd. could have done differently?

Need to work on their policies