/ Transforming Import Management Solutions for Subsidiaries in India
Import management is critical for foreign companies operating in India. It involves navigating complex compliance requirements, ensuring seamless supply chain operations, and aligning systems for optimal efficiency. Maier Vidorno Altios specializes in helping businesses overcome these challenges and establish robust import management processes, as demonstrated in a recent case study involving a global organization (kept anonymous for confidentiality).
Typical Profile of Companies Seeking Import Management Assistance
Companies that approach us for import management solutions often share similar profiles:
- They are foreign businesses that have recently established a subsidiary in India or have not established any business in India.
- They aim to centralize supply chain operations through their local entity.
- They face challenges due to a lack of local expertise, systems alignment, or operational knowledge.
- Indian subsidiary is running trading activities but is non-compliant.
- Foreign companies wanted to test their product in the Indian market before the subsidiary was set up.
In one instance, a company that had been operating for two years in its Indian subsidiary’s operations needed to import its first shipment. While they had the tools—Dynamics 365 for global operations and SAP B1 for local management—they struggled with new EPR (In India) management for supply chain system integration, compliance, and team training.
Common Problems and Their Roots
The challenges businesses face often arise from:
- System Misalignment: Disparate software systems, such as Dynamics 365 at the headquarters and SAP B1 locally, create gaps in process flow inventory, purchase, order management (sales) and finance management.
- Operational Gaps: Teams, both at the headquarters and subsidiary levels, may lack the experience or knowledge to handle India’s unique compliance (product-based and standard) and port registration requirements.
- Data and Process Lapses: Critical information and processes, such as EXIM (export-import) coordination, often remain unstructured or incomplete. Which can cause serious compliance issues in future
These issues stem from the complexity of Indian regulations, a lack of synchronization between global and local teams, and insufficient local expertise.
Why Companies Choose Maier Vidorno Altios
Businesses trust us because of:
- Expertise Across Supply Chain Functions: From guiding subsidiary operations to system integration, our comprehensive support addresses every aspect of supply chain management including international movement (Import & Export), customs clearance, warehousing, order management, and primary and secondary distribution (Local transportation) import management.
- Tailored Solutions: We adapt our services to fit the unique needs of each client, ensuring seamless collaboration between global and local teams.
- Proven Success: Our track record of enabling subsidiaries to achieve operational independence and efficiency sets us apart from competitors.
Our Approach to Import Management: Temporary and Permanent Solutions
For the anonymous company in this case study, our actions included both temporary fixes and permanent transformations:
- Temporary Interventions: We implemented parallel systems, using SAP B1 for immediate operations while system development as per Indian requirements in Dynamics 365 for long-term use. We also provided interim support for SOP designing and implementation, for Supply chain processes and compliances.
- Permanent Changes: Over 3–4 months, we worked on system execution, functionality approvals, and training. The final setup allowed the subsidiary to independently manage purchases, sales, inventory, and finances in Dynamics 365.
Typical Project Duration and Outcomes
An import management project generally takes 3–6 months, depending on factors like system complexity, team training needs, and compliance requirements.
The best outcomes for businesses include:
- Seamless system integration and operational independence.
- Full compliance with Indian regulations, ensuring smooth imports and supply chain flow.
- Empowered local teams capable of handling inventory, finance, and warehousing efficiently.
Success Story: A Subsidiary Transformed
By the end of the project, the company’s Indian subsidiary achieved a fully functional supply chain operation. They now handle supply chain operations, and financial operations independently, leveraging a unified Dynamics 365 system.
Maier Vidorno Altios specializes in all aspects of supply chain management that transform how subsidiaries operate in India. Whether you’re facing challenges in compliance, system alignment, or team training, we are here to ensure your operations run smoothly.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your Supply chain operation needs and help your business thrive in India.