Counterfeiting and supply chain inefficiencies are two critical challenges that can erode a brand's trust and profitability. A leading global agrochemical company, boasting $4 billion in annual revenue, encountered these hurdles. With a diverse portfolio of over 25 products and operations spanning multiple continents, the company needed a robust solution to protect its brand integrity and enhance operational transparency. This blog delves into their partnership with Acviss, detailing how solutions like Origin and Certify eliminated counterfeiting risks, streamlined operations, and rebuilt trust with stakeholders.
Challenges That Drove Change
The agrochemical company faced persistent and complex problems that traditional ERP systems alone could not solve. Counterfeit products infiltrated the market, damaging its reputation and creating mistrust among farmers who relied on authentic products to sustain their livelihoods.
Beyond counterfeiting, smuggling, and unauthorised reselling of genuine products created unaccounted sales returns and pricing inconsistencies. A lack of transparency in the supply chain compounded these issues, and strained relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, distributors, and retailers.
Moreover, the company’s supply chain, while robust, was inefficient in key areas. The existing ERP system was unable to handle complexities such as product theft and cross-region pilferage. Addressing these multifaceted challenges required a solution that went beyond surface-level fixes.
The Acviss Approach: A Technological Transformation
To tackle these challenges, the company collaborated with Acviss to implement two of its flagship solutions:
1. Origin – A Comprehensive Track-and-Trace Platform
Origin offered real-time tracking and visibility across the entire supply chain. By enabling end-to-end monitoring of product movement, it prevented pilferage and ensured operational transparency.
2. Certify – A Robust Product Authentication System
Certify introduced tamper-proof, non-cloneable labels embedded with unique QR codes. These labels empowered stakeholders, from distributors to end-users, to verify product authenticity instantly.
These solutions complemented each other, addressing both operational inefficiencies and the risk of counterfeiting.
Implementation: Speed and Precision
Acviss’s implementation process was designed to deliver results quickly while ensuring minimal disruption to the company’s operations.
1. Facility Integration
The deployment spanned six manufacturing plants and 20 warehouses across India. To accommodate diverse infrastructure and budget constraints, Acviss tailored its solutions to suit both automated and manual workflows. Automated processes, including QR code printing during primary and secondary packaging, enabled seamless traceability, while manual workflows provided flexibility for facilities with limited automation capabilities.
2. ERP Integration
Acviss ensured that its solutions integrated seamlessly with the company’s MS Dynamics ERP system. This integration enabled real-time synchronization of data, eliminating discrepancies and creating a unified view of operations.
3. Training for Success
Recognizing that the success of any technological deployment depends on user adoption, Acviss conducted comprehensive training sessions. Teams were educated on how to use the Origin dashboard for tracking and the Certify authentication tools for product verification. The training sessions focused on usability, ensuring employees across all levels felt confident with the new tools.
4. Timeline
Despite the scale of the project, the entire implementation was completed in just 45 days. Within four days of the rollout, all plants and warehouses were operational, a testament to Acviss’s efficient processes and well-planned execution.
Transforming Production and Supply Chain Operations
The solutions were embedded deeply into the company’s production line and supply chain workflows.
In the production facilities, QR codes were printed during both primary and secondary packaging. A hierarchical parent-child mapping system was introduced, linking individual product units with larger packaging tiers. This mapping ensured that every product, from its smallest unit to bulk shipments, could be tracked with precision.
At the warehouse level, Acviss provided flexible workflows to suit varying levels of automation. Both inward and outward product movements were scanned, logged, and synchronized with ERP records. This level of granularity created a fully transparent system where every product's journey could be monitored in real-time.
Results That Speak Volumes
The impact of Acviss’s solutions was both immediate and far-reaching.
1. Eliminating Counterfeiting
The deployment of over 50 million unique codes created a robust barrier against counterfeiters. Each product now carries a unique, tamper-proof label, allowing stakeholders to verify authenticity instantly.
2. Operational Transparency and Efficiency
With real-time visibility into product movement, the company achieved 100% traceability across its supply chain. This level of transparency not only reduced theft and pilferage but also streamlined operations, significantly lowering costs associated with inefficiencies.
3. Building Stakeholder Trust
The solutions repaired fractured relationships with distributors and retailers. With instant verification tools at their fingertips, stakeholders regained confidence in the authenticity and integrity of the company’s products.
4. Quantifiable Success
In just one year, Acviss’s solutions enabled 2.6 million successful scans, showcasing widespread adoption and effectiveness.
Client Testimonial
The company’s representatives praised Acviss for its transformative impact, stating:
"We have seen [track-and-trace] systems implemented across companies and partnered with a few, but none have been as successful as Acviss."
Support and Long-Term Collaboration
Acviss’s commitment extended beyond deployment. Its support team provided ongoing assistance, ensuring that the solutions adapted to the company’s evolving needs. Whether scaling the solutions to additional SKUs or troubleshooting issues, Acviss maintained a close partnership with the company to drive long-term success.
Lessons for Industry Leaders
This case underscores the value of integrated, technology-driven solutions in combating counterfeiting and optimizing supply chains. For companies facing similar challenges, the key takeaways include:
- Investing in solutions that address both operational inefficiencies and security vulnerabilities.
- Prioritizing user training and support to ensure smooth adoption.
- Partnering with solution providers capable of scaling your business.
Are counterfeiting risks and supply chain inefficiencies holding your business back? Take the first step toward a more secure and efficient future.
Download the Full Case Study or contact us at hello@acviss.com.
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