UK-based Sage, a global leader in integrated accounting, payroll and payment systems, and partner Sharaf Computers and Software Trading (SCST) have begun implementing a solutions suite at Cefe Group International.

The solution suite consists of Sage X3, Sage X3 People, and Sage X3 for Construction, said a statement from the company.

A major company with operations in the UAE, Turkey and Afghanistan, Cefe boasts a large portfolio spreading across sectors such as construction, supply chain, logistics, overseas shipping and transportation, engineering, and consulting.

Due to the size and geographic spread of the organisation, it had been relying on two separate accounting and operation systems.

The functioning of the two different systems resulted in inefficiency across the group’s business operations, and reconciliation between the two systems would have proven time consuming and complex.

Furthermore, the UAE company had only recently ventured into the construction sector, and the existing system could not manage its estimates, project milestones, and project-based procurement management.

Cefe was badly in need of an integrated business management solution to centralise and streamline its business operations to improve accountability, transparency, and operational control, said a senior official.

"We selected Sage due to the company’s global presence and its products flexibility to meet the business requirements of our multi-cultured organisation," remarked Tamer Nasr, procurement and logistics manager, Cefe.

“The X3 for Construction module for Sage X3 is one of the most sophisticated software suites we have come across,” he stated.

Sage X3 was selected after carefully evaluating four other tier-one business applications suited for the company’s business requirements.

Its ability to match the specific processes of Cefe such as configurable fields and workflows, support for multiple languages and legislation, was a big advantage, said a statement.

Sajid Mehmood, general manager, SCST, said: “The implementation of Sage solutions at Cefe is a complex endeavour. Spreading across many sectors and geographic locations it initially had its challenges but these have been overcome quickly through dedicated teamwork and open communication.”

"Further, the group’s requirements for its construction-related operations enabled us to develop this area into a strategic venture targeting the construction sector. We are committed to setting Cefe as an example for the construction sector,” he said.

Reggie Fernandes, vice president of Sage X3, and regional director of Sage Middle East, said: “The implementation of Sage solutions is being handled in a very efficient and professional manner by SCST.”

“We are confident our solutions will enable Cefe to tackle the difficulties posed by geography and the diverse sectors they operate in for better operational overview and strategic planning,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service