NBHC plans online access for clients

National Bulk Handling Corporation (NBHC), the procurement, warehousing and certifying arm of the Multi-Commodity Exchange of India (MCEX), plans to implement an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to allow its customers 24X7 online access to their accounts anywhere in the world.

The system, which is being developed by NHBC's parent Financial Technologies, is still at a preliminary stage but is expected to be implemented by the end of this year, said Anil Choudhary, managing director and CEO of NBHC.

The ERP system integrates an organisation's data and processes into a uniform system that streamlines efficiencies and allows for smoother information flows.

The system, which will be the first of its kind by India's number two agri-commodity solution providers, will improve access of farmers and private and government procurement agencies to online commodity prices and allow them to better plan the movement of their produce from one mandi to another. Farmers would also benefit from being integrated with the global commodity markets.

"This system, coupled with the launch of spot-trading exchanges, will revolutionalise trading practices in agri-commodities in India," Choudhary said. He said there was no cut-off investment earmarked for the project, which was long-term in nature. NBHC procures sensitive agri-commodities, including wheat, paddy, mustard, pulses, oilseeds, spices etc, on behalf of private and government agencies such as FCI and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation.