Background
Hindustan Fibre Glass Works (HF) has been a prominent player in the Indian Railways sector since 1949. Initially supplying timber products such as sleepers, logs, and wooden windows, HF has been an integral part of Indian Railways’ growth and modernization. Over the decades, HF has adapted and evolved, expanding into the production of advanced composite materials. They have also extended their reach internationally, executing export orders for FRP windows for passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railways since 1997.
Challenges
HF faced several operational challenges as their inventory management system was outdated and inefficient. The key issues included:
- Lack of Control: The inventory management process was primarily Excel-based, leading to a lack of real-time visibility and control over stock levels.
- No Accountability: Without a centralized system, there was no accurate way to track current stock, resulting in inefficiencies and accountability issues.
- Manual Processes: Tasks such as inventory tracking, purchase requests, and inter-warehouse transfers were manually handled, leading to delays and errors.
Solution
HF turned to Odoo to streamline their inventory management and operational processes. The key features implemented were:
- Inventory Management: Odoo provided a centralized platform for managing inventory across seven warehouses, each holding over 10,000 products. This system enhanced visibility and control over stock levels.
- Barcode Scanning: The implementation of barcode scanning improved accuracy in stock tracking and reduced manual errors.
- Labels: Custom labels were used to streamline inventory handling and ensure easy identification and management of products.
- Inter-Warehouse Transfer: Odoo facilitated efficient transfer of goods between warehouses, optimizing the movement of inventory and reducing delays.
- Purchase Management: The purchase module allowed HF to manage procurement processes more effectively, improving order accuracy and supplier interactions.
- Paperless Purchase Requests: Multi-level approval workflows were implemented for purchase requests, eliminating paper-based processes and reducing approval time.
Benefits
By integrating Odoo, HF achieved significant improvements in their operations:
- Enhanced Inventory Control: Real-time tracking and centralized management of inventory reduced discrepancies and improved accountability.
- Increased Efficiency: Automation of barcode scanning, labels, and inter-warehouse transfers streamlined operations and minimized manual errors.
- Improved Procurement Processes: The purchase management system and paperless requests sped up procurement and enhanced transparency in approvals.
- Cost Tracking: Better tracking of costs associated with inventory management led to more accurate financial reporting and budgeting.
Conclusion
Hindustan Fibre Glass Works successfully transformed its inventory management processes by adopting Odoo. The transition from an outdated, Excel-based system to a modern, integrated platform resulted in improved control, efficiency, and accountability. Odoo’s comprehensive features empowered HF to manage its extensive inventory across multiple warehouses more effectively, supporting their continued growth and operational excellence in the rail industry.
Hindustan Fibre Glass Works – Enhancing Inventory Management with Odoo