Made in India: Renuka Print ERP

The Renuka Print ERP software from Renuka Softec manages day-to-day operations via accountability, streamlines workflow and material flow, and saves time due to streamlined flow of operations. Launched in 2006, the software is targeted at firms involved in mono carton, commercial printing, corrugation, leaflets, outserts, flexo label printing, among others. The technology uses MySQL as a database, and uses VB.Net, PHP, Reactive Native, and Python.

Renuka Softec was founded by Manish Kothalkar and was later joined by Mohit Jain and Gulzar Presswala. The trio started working on an estimation solution (smart planner) for the printing and packing industry in 2002 and launched the same by mid-2006.

“With the success of our first product, we were motivated for complete ERP development for the same sector and for the same, we were helped by printers from every part of India with their valuable inputs and suggestions,” say Manish Kothalkar and Mohit Jain, partners of Renuka Softec.

The software
“ERP is an investment rather than an expenditure,” says Kothalkar. “So, price should not be the only factor when you are planning to purchase an ERP. The focus should be on the features and to what extent they serve your purpose.”

He adds that Renuka is very competitive compared to features and completeness of other ERP players, both Indian and international. “Proper information to the proper person on the proper time, along with the elimination of repetitive work, human errors and deep analysis, along with controlled raw material consumption helps in cost-effectiveness and on-time deliveries,” he explains.

The company has around 225 installations in India, Bangladesh, and Dubai. Some of the key customers include Award Offset, Rich Offset Group, MK Group, Pine Tree (Param Packaging), Printmaan in Western India; Kumar Printers, Kumar Labels, HBD Packaging in North India; Kora Pack (formerly Label Kingdom), Kohinoor Printers, Global Printing, Yuno Packaging, Essentra, Pravesha Industries in south India, and CDC Printers, Nextgen Printers in East India.

Kothalkar and Jain say usually customers look for features that an ERP offers, clients who are using the solution and market sustainability.

The solution
According to Kothalkar, one of the highlights of the Renuka Print ERP is the in-house, in-process CAPA feature, with the help of which, a lot of printers have taken the decision to buy new machines. “This was on the basis of the analysis of data from our ERP that states how many defects occurred in a particular process, machine and what is the frequency. It clears up whether you need to work on process improvement or on the machine,” he explains.

And the USP of the ERP? Jain says the biggest USP of the software is estimation and customisation.” The software fits best in the Indian working culture, especially with our clientele,” Jain adds.
The software does estimation based on time and raw material, as well as in a conventional manner. For example, all jobs cannot run at the same machine speed. It will vary from job to job and other factors, which definitely needs to be considered during estimation. This is taken into consideration by our ERP,” he adds.

Another important feature of the software is the live production entry with a tab. This ensures 24-hour accountability of each and every machine and eliminates chances of manipulated reporting, especially when owners don’t have access to the shopfloor or the factory. For example, in case, there is a variation in the time that was estimated, a mail will be sent to the concerned persons, and the production will have to account for the variation. This feature gives the user a live picture of the production because offline entries are eliminated.

The company has also developed a mobile application that helps in reporting and controlling inventory levels, which is one of the biggest pain areas of a printing press. “Along with the routine advantages, the biggest change that was observed was control of dead stock and FG stock which eats your profits. This happened because the system decides what to issue and what not to issue,” Kothalkar says.

The software has 25 live modules, while the company is working on three more modules.

Kothalkar says it is difficult to compare the Renuka Print ERP with similar products available in the market, “but what’s makes us special is our experience, our association with renowned printing presses and our continuous upgradation as per the changes in the printing technology, information technology and changes in human psychology,” he explains.

The productivity
“Using our solution streamlines information flow, workflow, material flow, etc, which in turn boosts productivity,” Kothalkar says. “Each new version overrides the shortcomings of previous ones, and this is a continuous process.”

Kothalkar says the product is easy to use, and the company offers a minimum of 45 days of training on using the software. The company also offers one year of free online support post-purchase.

On how the software can help customers, Kothalkar says, “The biggest benefit of the software is that the owners can control and monitor their business from any part of the world, because with the software, the organisation is now system-driven rather than person-driven.”

Talking about the recent trends in the packaging-printing industry, Kothalkar says the industry is moving towards a digital environment and automation. “While accessibility to factories became a hindrance post-Covid, automated reporting systems took a big hold in the industry. Even smaller firms are now moving towards data capturing and recordings through ERP systems. More and more companies are now working towards Industry 4.0, where machines speak to each other. It has just started in India, and we look forward to it taking a big hold in the management system.”

For 2021-22, Renuka Softec is targeting flexo label companies. Feature-wise, it will be adding HR and financials and the actual application of AI and machine learning.

“Our overall target is that a printer should get sound sleep at night and should have a quality social life,” Kothalkar and Jain conclude.