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Pradeep Kapoor lights the lamp at the project’s kick-off event on 13 June, 2002. The Directors of GSL look on. ( L-R) Radm. Rtd. Paralikar – CMD GRSE Ltd., Radm. Sampath Pillai – CMD Goa Shipyard Ltd., and Dipali Khanna – Addl. Financial Advisor, Ministry of Defence.

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A Sea of Change

odrej Infotech Ltd (GIL) successfully completed a large IT implementation project at Goa Shipyard Ltd. The project kick-off took place in June 2002. The implementation was undertaken in a phased manner while the final Go-Live was declared in September 2003.

About Goa Shipyard Limited:
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) was established in 1957 and is today a leading shipyard on the west coast of India, meeting the requirements of varied customers in the field of design, development, construction, repair, modernisation, testing and commissioning of ships. GSL can not only build traditional military ships and marine craft, but also next generation vessels. This Indian public sector unit functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Department of Defence Production and Supplies.

GSL has massive expansion plans to upgrade its infrastructure. To support its growth plans GSL decided to go ahead on a major IT initiative. Godrej Infotech was chosen as its IT partner after a detailed evaluation process involving six leading Enterprise solution providers.

The Project
The GSL project involved supply of Hardware, Software and Services on a turnkey basis. Various modules of BaaN ERP such as Projects, Distribution, Finance, Human Resources, Executive Information System and Service Modules and BaaN PDM were implemented. Interfaces with third party products like Primavera (a planning software), Tribon (a ship design CAD software) and CARS (Computerised Attendance Recording System) were developed.

The implementation touched almost every activity at GSL. Apart from the Core BaaN ERP implementation, over 50+ net- based applications were developed. On entering the Company’s premises, the CISF security will check on our “Movement Tracking System” if your appointment has been initiated and then print a Gate Pass from the system. Workflow applications cater to employee claims and various HR activities viz Training System, Lunchroom System, Quarter Allotment System, Leave Form System, Library Management System, Guest House Booking, etc. Work-flow- based “Document Manager” is used for obtaining online approvals. This has revolutionised approval processes at GSL. Applications such as ISO Management and Knowledge Management are implemented to address the quality and knowledge areas.

The implementation was also extended to benefit GSL Customers and Suppliers. Suppliers can now log in to a GSL website, get tender documents, and submit their bids online. Customers have been given access to the website for viewing their Project Status.

The Benefits
GSL is tending towards project-based working compared to the traditional functional approach leading to improved internal co-ordination. Build Periods are expected to come down significantly. Customer and Supplier Connectivity has been established. Transparency, visibility and accountability is taking the organisation towards operational excellence. This project has complemented GSL’s e-Governance Initiative.

A strong foundation has been laid for GSL to reap the benefits in the years to come.

The GIL Team
The GIL team consisted of BaaN application and Tools consultants, VB and Java professionals, and external personnel for Hardware support. M.V.N. Rao and a full-time Project Manager stationed on-site head the team. Our Chief Executive Officer, Pradeep Kapoor, who reviewed the project on a regular basis, ably guides our team.

Proud Moment
GIL received the second runners-up trophy at “Lakshya 2003” – an on-the- job achievers award organised by NITIE – Powai. GIL had presented the GSL implementation as a case study. In future GIL will concentrate on delivering more value to customers. Customer satisfaction will drive our business meeting our “Lakshya”.

The Voyage
The Chairman and Managing Director of GSL, Radm. Sampath Pillai’s vision and the sheer energy of his presence provided tremendous motivation to the implementation team. His direct involvement with the team provided timely guidance, direction and support. e-Governance and a paperless organisation were on the top of his agenda and he advocated the same in letter and spirit.

Watching the Arabian Sea at the GSL jetty, we feared that with such a massive IT implementation, we would either be thrown out by the high tide or engulfed by the dangerous low tide. Relentless effort and a “we believe we can” attitude saw us through.

Leaving their footprints on the golden sands of Goa, the project teams of GIL and GSL weathered the pains of implementation and came out with flying colours. It’s not only the Arabian Sea that you see at the GSL jetty, today what you see is “A Sea of Change”.