deSIAM increases operational efficiency and cuts down labor costs by 50% with Zoho Creator.

The company

Established in 2008, deSIAM, is a global brand specializing in authentic Thai ingredients and meals. They began by offering ready-to-cook meals, sauces, and spices in local supermarkets, quickly capturing hearts (and stomachs). Today, deSIAM exports to over 27 countries and manages the entire process—from manufacturing and processing orders, to shipping, labeling, and quality checks in-house.

The challenge

Prior to 2016, deSIAM relied on a combination of spreadsheets and a traditional accounting software to manage critical tasks like purchase orders and invoicing. This reliance on multiple, disconnected systems resulted in unreliable data and hampered operational efficiency.

A turning point came with the departure of a key staff member responsible for exports. This revealed a critical vulnerability—a portion of the data resided solely with the individual's institutional knowledge rather than being securely stored in a centralized database. Recognizing these limitations, Hervé Haurie, one of deSIAM's managing partners, searched for a new system to consolidate all of their data into a single, accessible platform.

deSIAM needed an integrated solution that could handle specific needs like generating customized invoices, exporting regulatory documents, and managing location-based labeling.

The solution

By leveraging Zoho Creator, deSIAM aimed to create a centralized database and automate tasks. They began by building simple applications for generating and printing invoices and inventory reports. As their needs grew, deSIAM developed more complex apps to automate daily processes like inventory adjustments, stock intake, and automatic document generation for exports.

deSIAM has built a comprehensive database and a variety of custom applications to manage their entire workflow using Zoho Creator.

Accounting

This application helps manage financial transactions. It automates bookkeeping tasks, such as recording income and expenses, categorizing them, and generating reports. It also helps with invoicing, bill payment, and tax preparation.

Loading plans

The app acts as a blueprint for efficient and safe container utilization. It specifies how many items fit on a pallet, taking into account their dimensions and weight, along with how these pallets should be strategically stacked within the container to maximize space while ensuring safe transport. The loading plans also generate unique shipping marks for each container. These marks, such as a barcode, contain vital information for easy identification and tracking throughout the shipping journey.

Vendor portal

Using this portal, distributors (outside the organization) can track order status, download invoices, and even manage returns. The portal provides real-time inventory updates, allowing distributors to plan their purchases efficiently and avoid stockouts.

Barcode stock

Enables efficient inventory tracking using Zoho Creator's built-in scanner accessible through the mobile app. This eliminates the need for manual data entry, saving time and minimizing errors.

Inventory warehouse

This app helps with tracking stock levels of everything from raw materials to finished goods and product slotting. It optimizes the space and ensures that products can be easily located, picked, and shipped quickly. This allows the company to identify and prevent stockouts, and ensure that they always have what they need to fulfill customer orders.

Database

The database functions as a comprehensive product encyclopedia, storing details like the specific ingredients listed, expiry dates, and storage requirements for optimal quality. Furthermore, it highlights potential allergens, allowing consumers to make informed choices that align with their dietary needs and restrictions.

SOP printing

This application is a streamlined system for generating technical specification labels in six languages, ensuring that instructions and safety information are readily understood by international customers. This helps deSIAM increase product accessibility, reduce support inquiries, and create a more positive brand experience for the global audience.

Dashboard

This offers a comprehensive understanding of the business. It pulls in real-time data from Zoho Books to analyze key metrics like revenue streams, expense trends, and outstanding invoices. With these insights, deSIAM can make data-driven decisions, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that their business stays on track for success.

Quality control

Quality control ensures that products meet their specifications. With the help of this app, the creation of certificates of analysis and other quality check documents is easy. With prebuilt templates, data is automatically populated, reducing manual entry and errors.

Legal

The app acts as a secure digital vault by facilitating uploading, viewing, and reviewing legal documents like certificates and trademarks. It eliminates the hassle of physical storage and the risk of misplacing crucial documents.

Benefits and ROI

Previously reliant on static data stored in spreadsheets, deSIAM has witnessed a remarkable transformation with Zoho Creator. By automating administrative tasks, they have significantly reduced manual work, leading to a 50% cost reduction in administrative jobs.

Looking forward

Within the next year, deSIAM is looking to leverage Zia, Zoho's AI assistant, to analyze data and recommend next steps in the decision-making process. Additionally, they aim to integrate the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature within Zoho Creator into their warehouse application. This integration would allow for automatic recognition of expiry dates, lot numbers, and other relevant information, eliminating the need for manual data entry.