Microsoft Server Product PortfolioCustomer Solution Case Study

Trading Company Improves Efficiency with Enhanced Data Analysis and Reporting

OverviewCountry or Region: ThailandIndustry: Wholesales and Retail

Customer ProfileYip In Tsoi & Jacks Ltd., founded in 1967, is engaged in trading products such as fertilizers, agrochemical products, construction materials, and telecommunications products. It is part of the Yip In Tsoi Group, which has 1,200 employees.

Business SituationManagers at the company had difficulty accessing and compiling data for reports, analysis, and marketing.

SolutionThe company implemented a new solution based on Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, and Microsoft Office 2010.

Benefits Enhances data analysis and reporting Streamlines work processes Improves IT management Offers foundation for growth

“This solution, based on SQL Server 2008 R2, has made the viewing, analysis, and reporting of data more efficient. Now we can focus on serving customers and maintaining the competitiveness of our business.”

Yupatat Yipintsoi, Executive Vice President, Yip In Tsoi & Jacks Ltd.

Based in Bangkok, Yip In Tsoi & Jacks Ltd. is a leading Thai trader and manufacturer that specializes in trading fertilizers, agrochemical products, and a range of other products. Because the company’s business divisions are separate, it was difficult and time-consuming for managers to analyze sales data and create up-to-date reports. To solve those business challenges, Yip In Tsoi & Jacks worked with sister company Yip In Tsoi Consulting Co., Ltd. to implement a business intelligence solution based on Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, and Microsoft Office 2010. Now managers in the company’s fertilizer product department can easily view consolidated sales data and create timely analytical reports. As a result, they can make faster and more accurate business decisions. The solution also eases IT management and can be expanded into additional business areas.

SituationYip In Tsoi & Jacks Ltd. is one of the leading traders of fertilizers and agrochemical products in Thailand. The largest subsidiary of the Yip In Tsoi Group, the company is also involved in trading construction materials, electronics and telecommunications products, and engineering products.

During its 44 years in business, the company has consistently experienced financial and product success for three reasons: selecting products that meet market requirements for quality and price; ensuring that the products are delivered complete and on time; and providing professional consulting services after sales. Recognizing that its employees are its greatest resource, Yip In Tsoi & Jacks has also worked hard to develop a conscientious work force that represents a brand trusted by government agencies and private companies across Thailand.

For Yip In Tsoi & Jacks, a key element of doing business is understanding its customers’ demands and responding with the appropriate high-quality products and services. To achieve this mission-critical aim, the company hires knowledgeable employees and relies heavily on the latest technology.

However, because the company’s business divisions are not integrated, managers found it challenging to access and compile data for reports. Managers asked for help from their employees, who spent a lot of time simply trying to find the relevant information before they could even begin to compile a report.

“Our business focuses on a diverse mix of products, ranging from fertilizer, agrochemical products, and construction materials to electronics, engineering, and telecommunications products. With separate business operations, it has been difficult to bring together data from each division for reports, analysis, or marketing activities that require up-to-date information,” says Yupatat Yipintsoi, Executive Vice President, Yip In Tsoi & Jacks Ltd.

To address these challenges and improve efficiency, the company decided to look at new technologies that could facilitate smoother data collection and analysis.

SolutionSince 2006, Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Yip In Tsoi Consulting Co., Ltd. has managed a business intelligence (BI) solution for Yip In Tsoi & Jacks based on Microsoft SQL Server data management software. Part of the Yip In Tsoi Group, Yip In Tsoi Consulting specializes in implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and BI solutions. It used SQL Server to help Yip In Tsoi & Jacks identify and solve data usage problems.

Because it wants to stay competitive by using the newest technology, Yip In Tsoi Consulting decided to upgrade its IT systems. It deployed Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, and Microsoft Office 2010, all of which are capable of responding to complex IT and business requirements in a faster, more efficient manner.

24

Yupatat Yipintsoi, Executive Vice President, Yip In Tsoi & Jacks Ltd.

Yip In Tsoi Consulting was especially interested in the data analysis capabilities of Microsoft Excel 2010 spreadsheet software, which helps users analyze sales data in different data views that are neatly summarized in a single dashboard. In addition, Excel 2010 offers enhanced visual controls so users can quickly filter data in a simple, yet intuitive way, with the data shown above cells as charts and visual representations.

“Whereas previous versions needed additional add-on programs, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 give us the ability to easily implement full business intelligence technology,” says Somkiat Leelataweewud, General Manager, Yip In Tsoi Consulting Co., Ltd. “Although our IT team already has expertise as a Microsoft partner specializing in business intelligence, we received further training and technical support from Microsoft to ensure that the upgrade was carried out with no disruption, helping us achieve more efficient business operations.”

After the training and upgrade to its own systems, Yip In Tsoi Consulting implemented a new BI solution in the Yip In Tsoi & Jacks fertilizer business unit. The solution is also based on SQL Server 2008 R2, SharePoint Server 2010, and Office 2010.

BenefitsManagers in the Yip In Tsoi & Jacks fertilizer product department now have enhanced data analysis capabilities, and they can more easily create reports. The company has streamlined critical work processes and has a technology solution it can build on in the future.

Enhances Data Analysis and ReportingThe new solution consolidates fertilizer product data and gives Yip In Tsoi & Jacks managers the ability to easily view that data themselves, with no need to ask employees to organize the data first. As a result, the managers can make faster and more accurate business decisions.

Yip In Tsoi & Jacks managers also have improved reporting capabilities. They can easily produce attractively designed standard reports, and they can customize reports to suit their specific business needs.

Streamlines Work ProcessesWith the new data analysis and reporting capabilities, Yip In Tsoi & Jacks managers have streamlined key work processes. “This solution, based on SQL Server 2008 R2, has made the viewing, analysis, and reporting of data more efficient,” says Yipintsoi. “Now we can focus on serving customers and maintaining the competitiveness of our business.”

Improves IT ManagementSQL Server 2008 R2 includes new management features that Yip In Tsoi Consulting IT employees can use to monitor and solve potential issues before they become problems. Additionally, SQL Server 2008 R2 can store even more data than in previous versions.

Offers Foundation for GrowthYip In Tsoi & Jacks now has a solid BI solution that it can use in other departments in the future. To achieve further business success across its operations nationwide, Yip In Tsoi & Jacks is considering rolling out its new solution to

34

Somkiat Leelataweewud,General Manager, Yip In Tsoi Consulting Co., Ltd.

Microsoft Excel 2010 offers sales data analysis in different data views that are neatly summarized in a single dashboard.

departments such as engineering. The company is also expanding the BI solution to include mobile devices, so sales representatives across the country can serve customers more efficiently.

Microsoft Server Product PortfolioFor more information about the Microsoft server product portfolio, go to:www.microsoft.com/servers

44

For More InformationFor more information about Microsoft products and services, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400. In Canada, call the Microsoft Canada Information Centre at (877) 568-2495. Customers in the United States and Canada who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can reach Microsoft text telephone (TTY/TDD) services at (800) 892-5234. Outside the 50 United States and Canada, please contact your local Microsoft subsidiary. To access information using the World Wide Web, go to:www.microsoft.com

For more information about Yip In Tsoi Consulting Co., Ltd. products and services, call 66(0) 2353 8600 or visit the website at: www.yitconsulting.co.th

For more information about Yip In Tsoi & Jacks Ltd. products and services, call 66 (0) 2353 8600 or visit the website at: www.yipjacks.com

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

Document published June 2011

Software and Services Microsoft Server Product Portfolio− Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010− Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

Microsoft Office− Microsoft Office 2010− Microsoft Excel 2010

Partners Yip In Tsoi Consulting Co., Ltd.