Technological breakthroughs

With her initiative to digitalise the information exchange process between PINACO, suppliers, and factories via the Supplier Portal, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Nguyệt, Head of Applications in the IT Department at Dry Cell & Storage Battery Joint Stock Company (PINACO), was awarded the Creative Labour Certificate 2025 by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour. This initiative has improved order management efficiency, reduced processing times, and generated practical economic value for the business.

Proactive Innovation: Digitalising the Ordering Process

Originating from practical requirements in order management, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Nguyệt researched and developed the Supplier Portal to digitalise communications between PINACO, suppliers, and factories.

Before the initiative, when an order was generated in the SAP system, the Materials and Transport Department would extract data, transfer it into Excel, submit it for approval, convert it to PDF, and email it to the supplier. Order confirmation, scheduling, quantity, and delivery status updates were mostly handled manually via email, Zalo, or telephone—a process that was time-consuming and risked omissions or errors.

Additionally, factories needed timely access to suppliers’ delivery schedules to organise storage and production planning. However, information flow depended on interdepartmental communication, impacting coordination effectiveness.

To address these shortcomings, Ms. Nguyệt developed the Supplier Portal, creating a direct communication channel between PINACO and suppliers. The system automatically updates supplier information from SAP, generates access accounts, and sends email notifications when an order is placed. Through the portal, suppliers can confirm orders, respond with delivery times for each order or item, and update delivery status for PINACO to monitor progress.

She also developed the YPO_NCC report—Supplier Order Confirmation Report on SAP. This report integrates data from SAP and the Supplier Portal, allowing business, warehouse, and factory departments to look up order confirmations directly in a familiar system, without needing a separate platform.

A highlight of this initiative is that the system was developed using internal technological resources, enabling PINACO to proactively adjust and add features as needed, minimising reliance on external providers. Digitalising the ordering and delivery tracking processes has reduced manual operations, minimised errors, and improved timeliness and coordination between parties.

Economic Impact and Affirmation of Innovation Value

The Supplier Portal initiative has produced tangible technical and economic benefits. By developing the system in-house, PINACO has taken control of its technology, reduced processing times, enhanced order tracking, and increased transparency in supplier communications.

It is estimated that the initiative saved approximately VND 545.6 million in its first year and will continue to save around VND 133.35 million annually thereafter. The Creative Labour Certificate 2025 awarded by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour recognises Ms. Nguyễn Thị Hồng Nguyệt’s proactive research, technological application, and process improvement efforts.

Her initiative demonstrates that identifying procedural shortcomings, proactively seeking solutions, and applying appropriate technology can deliver concrete benefits for a business. This is a practical contribution by PINACO employees to advancing IT application, digital transformation, and enhanced production and business efficiency.