Writeimage CSB Software Upgrade Helps a Leading Algerian Business Sustain Rapid Growth

“ W Microsoft Server Product Portfolio it Customer Solution Case Study h

Algeria-Based Pharmaceutical Firm Sustains Rapid Growth with Software Upgrade

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services, we can Customer: Laboratoire Pharmaceutique Algérien (LPA) measure key business metrics—including financial data, Web Site: www.lpa.dz Number of Employees: 180 orders, and inventory—in real or near real time.” Country or Region: Algeria Youcef Benomar, IT Manager, Laboratoire Pharmaceutique Algérien Industry: Life sciences— Pharmaceutical industry Partner: Oasys With 180 employees, Laboratoire Pharmaceutique Algérien (LPA) Web Site: www.oasys.dz is Algeria’s leading pharmaceutical business. The company has Customer Profile recently upgraded its business software to the Windows Server Since it was launched in 1991, LPA has grown to become one of the leading 2003 R2 operating system, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 data private businesses in Algeria, and was management software, and Microsoft Office 2003 Editions. This recently acquired by Glaxo SmithKline. has helped it manage rapid growth, analyse business data in real Software and Services time, and benefit from an acquisition by one of the world’s  Microsoft Server Product Portfolio largest companies. − Windows Server 2003 R2 − Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition Business Needs Following rapid business growth in the − Microsoft Internet Security and Founded in 1991, LPA was one of the past decade, LPA was acquired by Glaxo Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 first private businesses in Algeria. SmithKline—the second largest − Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Employees in its research and pharmaceutical business in the world— Enterprise Edition development laboratories help bring to at the end of 2009. Both these factors − Microsoft System Center Essentials market a variety of products, ranging led the organisation to re-evaluate its 2007 from medicines to mouthwashes. It is information systems. Youcef Benomar, IT  Windows XP also the largest distributor of Manager, Laboratoire Pharmaceutique  Microsoft Office pharmaceuticals in the country, with a Algérien, says: “All of a sudden we were − Microsoft Office 2003 Editions 20 per cent share of the market. Around part of a global enterprise and our  Technologies 180 employees work in the production technology had to reflect this − Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and distribution headquarters at transition.” Analysis Services Boudouaou in the centre of the country, and at sites in east and west Algeria. Until recently the organisation’s systems For more information about other Microsoft customer successes, please visit: ran on HP-UX, Hewlett-Packard’s www.microsoft.com/casestudies proprietary implementation of the UNIX operating system. But Benomar was Working with the team from Oasys, automatic upgrades of software,” says increasingly concerned about the cost Benomar and his colleagues were able Benomar. “We also enjoy round-the- and risk of maintaining this technology. to install and deploy the software in two clock support through Microsoft “The software engineer who developed months. The majority of the systems Software Assurance.” our network had left the business and we went live in December 2009.  Offers long-term technology lacked the skills to deal with IT problems roadmap. Microsoft has a strong —from minor day-to-day issues to With a complete business intelligence presence in North Africa and offers company-wide system failures,” says solution, the firm is better able to far-reaching resources through its Benomar. compete in the region. “We’ve now got consultancy team and partners. ”This a reliable system optimised for end means that LPA can source the He also wanted to bring the company’s users, reporting, and analysis, which expertise it needs at extremely short technology into line with the business means that we can keep in touch with notice, while keeping down costs,” needs of a world-class pharmaceutical our business and the markets in real says Benomar. business. “In today’s national and global time,” says Benomar. market, we need real-time information about inventory and financials, for Benefits example, so that we can align our In the space of 20 years, LPA has grown strategy with the needs of our clients, from a small local enterprise to being partners, and investors. That’s something part of one of the largest businesses in we couldn’t do with our UNIX the world. Thanks to Microsoft and technology,” says Benomar. Oasys, the company can sustain growth not just in Algeria but in the worldwide Solution pharmaceutical market. Benomar says: Benomar and his team met with a “The combination of Microsoft database, number of suppliers and their partners. server, and end-user software has given Although LPA wanted to update its us the foundation we need to meet systems as soon as possible, it was also short-term and long-term targets, while keen to make sure that any procurement reducing costs and increasing delivered value for money, measurable productivity.” results, and rapid return on investment.  Reduces costs by 20 per cent. Following meetings with Microsoft and Although LPA has only been using Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Oasys, Microsoft software for a few months, Benomar decided to migrate the Benomar already anticipates company’s servers and databases to significant savings of up to 20 per Windows Server 2003 R2 and Microsoft cent. “We’ve been able to recruit an SQL Server 2005. To maintain a secure in-house team of Microsoft specialists and reliable connection with its national rather than call in expensive and global network of clients and consultants,” he says. partners, the company deployed  Supplies information in real time. Microsoft Internet Security and “With Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004. The IT Analysis Services, we can measure key team also uses Microsoft System Center business metrics—including financial Essentials 2007 to help ensure the data, orders, and inventory—in real or smooth running of all the new near real time,” says Benomar. technology.  Cuts need for training. Benomar is impressed by how easy it is for Employees run Windows XP on their employees to get started with desktops and portable computers, and Windows XP and Office 2003 Editions. use Microsoft Office 2003 Editions for “Many of them already use Microsoft day-to-day tasks, including word at home, and the user-friendly processing and spreadsheet calculations. interface requires little or no training,” E-mail communications are also critical he says. for LPA and the company has deployed  Delivers fast return on investment. Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 while LPA has taken advantage of Microsoft employees use Microsoft Office Outlook Open Value licensing. “It means that 2003 for e-mail and scheduling meetings. we can spread payments to improve cash flow, and take advantage of

This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Document published April 2010