THE installation of advanced project management software has vastly increased management efficiency of Hong Kong-based Esprit de Corp (Far East).
In March, Esprit installed the SDM-ProjectMaster from Silvon Software. This highly specialised package is designed for planning and managing software development on IBM AS/400 systems.
With the help of this comprehensive project management tool, Esprit made the transition from PC-based software and tapped the potential of its IBM AS/400-based management information systems (MIS).
According to Steven Ip, head of the management information services department, the Esprit chain, which has more than 70 outlets in the region, placed great demands on its operations in the territory, and branch offices in China, Taiwan and South Korea.
As Esprit's Far East sourcing, purchasing and exporting operations had strengthened, the direct retail business had also expanded, according to Mr Ip.
''To control this expanding network, Esprit has made extensive use of IBM's AS/400 systems, linking in-store personal computers for point-of-sale functions and back-office operations,'' said Mr Ip.