Blue Lotus 360 is a cloud-based ERP solutions provider that integrates all business management functions, including construction, hospital administration, preparation, inventory/materials supervision, engineering, demand processing, manufacturing, buying, accounting and investment, human resources, and more. For those of you who don’t know, enterprise resource planning (ERP) refers to a type of software that organisations use to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.
Initially, the company was a mere software company and they realised that with their first client that many people are looking for cloud-based solutions, so they quickly moved into an online software.
Since Blue Lotus 360 was built in Sri Lanka, they are more affordable than many of the international ERP systems. Despite being more cost effective, Blue Lotus 360 provides ERP systems whose standards and features are on par with the larger players in the market. Regardless, they still faced the challenge of selling it. This was because international ERP systems were perceived better than locally developed ones due to misconceptions.
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Blue Lotus 360 CEO Nithushan Uthayakumar [/caption]
Brunch spoke to Blue Lotus 360 CEO Nithushan Uthayakumar, who has 25 years of experience in implementing ERP systems in various industries to understand more about the demand for cloud-based ERP in Sri Lanka.
Uthayakumar explained that Blue Lotus had their first breakthrough when they implemented a web-based ERP system for one of the largest restaurant chains in Sri Lanka. The system Blue Lotus 360 had built helped them manage and streamline manufacturing, finances, inventories, and procurements of the company throughout their factories and outlets. Currently, Uthayakumar stated that their most successful ventures are Perera and Sons, and an online grocery store that’s run by famous cricketers Kumar Sangakara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Explaining how their software works, he commented: “The business can view their stocks, inventories, sales, and other aspects of the business in real time, and as it’s all available online, it can be obtained from anywhere remotely.” Their system also has ties with the bank that the business is in contact with so they can check the payment systems as well.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted several industries. Manufacturing was among the hardest hit and is increasingly looking towards automation. Already, several manufacturers have begun adopting ERP systems to monitor their factories.
Uthayakumar shared that a local food producer has opted to use Blue Lotus 360 to monitor their manufacturing operations remotely. “Previously, companies thought of these systems as heavy costs. Now they’re seeing why such solutions are a necessity,” commented Uthayakumar.
To demonstrate that ERP systems based in Sri Lanka can match up to international products, they began reaching out to leading companies in different industries. Although it took a lot of time and energy Blue Lotus 360 had soon signed agreements with some of the largest construction, solar installation, trailer truck manufacturers, real estate developers, as well as one of the largest quick-service restaurant chains in Sri Lanka.
Going forward, Uthayakumar shared that when blockchain networks expand and mature, there will be more and more ERP processes that can be automated by the blockchain system. Thus, Blue Lotus 360 is currently researching blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He believes these will be the key technologies they should invest in, to provide data-driven analysis. This, in turn, would allow their customers to make smarter decisions and allow Blue Lotus 360 to stay in line with the competition. He explained that their goal was to be in as many markets as possible through channel partners. Currently, they’ve obtained channel partners in the UK, the US, and Bangladesh and they’ve also started a small operation in the UK.
Initially, the company was a mere software company and they realised that with their first client that many people are looking for cloud-based solutions, so they quickly moved into an online software.
Since Blue Lotus 360 was built in Sri Lanka, they are more affordable than many of the international ERP systems. Despite being more cost effective, Blue Lotus 360 provides ERP systems whose standards and features are on par with the larger players in the market. Regardless, they still faced the challenge of selling it. This was because international ERP systems were perceived better than locally developed ones due to misconceptions.
[caption id="attachment_152874" align="alignleft" width="378"] Blue Lotus 360 CEO Nithushan Uthayakumar [/caption]
Brunch spoke to Blue Lotus 360 CEO Nithushan Uthayakumar, who has 25 years of experience in implementing ERP systems in various industries to understand more about the demand for cloud-based ERP in Sri Lanka.
Uthayakumar explained that Blue Lotus had their first breakthrough when they implemented a web-based ERP system for one of the largest restaurant chains in Sri Lanka. The system Blue Lotus 360 had built helped them manage and streamline manufacturing, finances, inventories, and procurements of the company throughout their factories and outlets. Currently, Uthayakumar stated that their most successful ventures are Perera and Sons, and an online grocery store that’s run by famous cricketers Kumar Sangakara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Explaining how their software works, he commented: “The business can view their stocks, inventories, sales, and other aspects of the business in real time, and as it’s all available online, it can be obtained from anywhere remotely.” Their system also has ties with the bank that the business is in contact with so they can check the payment systems as well.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted several industries. Manufacturing was among the hardest hit and is increasingly looking towards automation. Already, several manufacturers have begun adopting ERP systems to monitor their factories.
Uthayakumar shared that a local food producer has opted to use Blue Lotus 360 to monitor their manufacturing operations remotely. “Previously, companies thought of these systems as heavy costs. Now they’re seeing why such solutions are a necessity,” commented Uthayakumar.
To demonstrate that ERP systems based in Sri Lanka can match up to international products, they began reaching out to leading companies in different industries. Although it took a lot of time and energy Blue Lotus 360 had soon signed agreements with some of the largest construction, solar installation, trailer truck manufacturers, real estate developers, as well as one of the largest quick-service restaurant chains in Sri Lanka.
Going forward, Uthayakumar shared that when blockchain networks expand and mature, there will be more and more ERP processes that can be automated by the blockchain system. Thus, Blue Lotus 360 is currently researching blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He believes these will be the key technologies they should invest in, to provide data-driven analysis. This, in turn, would allow their customers to make smarter decisions and allow Blue Lotus 360 to stay in line with the competition. He explained that their goal was to be in as many markets as possible through channel partners. Currently, they’ve obtained channel partners in the UK, the US, and Bangladesh and they’ve also started a small operation in the UK.