Mahmoud Mohamed: DEPI Program Portfolio

About the DEPI Program

The Digital Egypt Pioneers Initiative (DEPI) is a flagship program by the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). It aims to build skilled and creative cadres capable of leading the digital transformation locally and regionally. DEPI provides free scholarships to outstanding Egyptian students and graduates, offering intensive training in highly demanded technological fields and essential professional skills. The program's core objectives include bridging academic learning with industry needs, fostering employability, and preparing a new generation of leaders for Egypt's digital future.

My DEPI Journey: Bridging Business Needs with Digital Transformation

My 9-month immersive experience in the DEPI program was strategically focused on cultivating deep expertise in Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), specifically utilizing Oracle ERP. This rigorous program equipped me with the critical ability to **identify complex business needs and translate them into effective digital solutions within an ERP framework.** I learned not just how to use Oracle ERP, but how to strategically apply its functionalities to drive operational efficiency and achieve business objectives. The blended learning methodology, combining online and offline sessions, provided a comprehensive and practical educational experience, preparing me to implement and manage transformative digital initiatives.

Technical Mastery: Oracle ERP & Advanced SCM Concepts

Through extensive hands-on practice and in-depth theoretical study, I developed a robust command of Oracle ERP functionalities and critical Supply Chain Management principles, preparing me for data-driven operational excellence.

Oracle ERP Modules: Configuration & Strategic Application

Inventory Module: Mastering Stock & Asset Control

Comprehensive skills in defining, configuring, and managing inventory within Oracle ERP to ensure accurate stock levels and efficient asset control.

Organizational Structure Definition: Ability to define and configure complex organizational hierarchies within Oracle ERP, including Operating Units, Master Organizations, and Inventory Organizations, to mirror diverse business structures.
Inventory Parameter Configuration: Expertise in adjusting critical inventory parameters, costing information, revision, lot, serial, and LPN controls, as well as Available-to-Promise (ATP) and picking rules, to align with specific business requirements.
Subinventory and Locator Design: Proficiency in designing and implementing subinventories and locators for precise inventory segmentation and tracking within warehouses.
Units of Measure (UOM) Management: Skill in defining various Units of Measure and establishing accurate conversion rules to support diverse product handling and reporting needs.
Item Master Definition & Customization: Comprehensive understanding of defining items and customizing their attribute groups (Inventory, Order Management, Purchasing, Receiving, Costing, Work In Process, General Planning, Invoicing) to capture essential business data.
Item Attribute Control & Categorization: Capability to control item attributes at various levels and define/assign item categories for effective classification and reporting.
Transaction Management: Hands-on experience with core inventory transaction actions, including issuing from stores, subinventory transfers, direct organization transfers, and receiving into stores.
Account Alias & Shorthand Alias Setup: Expertise in defining account aliases and shorthand aliases to streamline financial transactions and data entry based on business needs.
Lot and Serial Control Implementation: Proficiency in setting up and adjusting lot control and serial number control for specific items, ensuring granular traceability and compliance.
Subinventory Assignment & Picking Rules: Ability to assign subinventories to items and set up optimized picking rules to enhance warehouse efficiency.
Move Order Management: Skill in setting up and managing move orders for internal material transfers within and between organizations.
Inter-Organization Transfer & Shipping Network: Understanding of inter-organization transfers and defining robust shipping networks for seamless material movement across different business units.
Cycle Count & Physical Inventory Execution: Competence in performing cycle counts and physical inventories to reconcile system records with actual stock, ensuring data accuracy.
ATP Rules Configuration: Ability to configure Available-to-Promise (ATP) rules to provide accurate commitment dates to customers based on available inventory and supply.
Inventory Planning & Replenishment: Expertise in implementing inventory planning and replenishment strategies, including Min-Max planning and Safety Stock calculations, to optimize stock levels and prevent disruptions.

Purchasing Module: Streamlining Procure-to-Pay

Expertise in managing the entire procure-to-pay lifecycle within Oracle ERP, from requisitioning to supplier management and automated purchasing workflows.

Procure-to-Pay Lifecycle Mastery: In-depth understanding of the entire procure-to-pay lifecycle, from requisitioning to payment.
Financial & Purchasing Options Configuration: Proficiency in defining financial and purchasing options to align the system with specific business needs and policies.
Receiving Options Definition: Expertise in configuring receiving options to control how goods are received and put away within the system.
Document Type Management: Ability to define and manage various document types (e.g., Purchase Requisitions, Purchase Orders) to standardize purchasing processes.
Buyer & Supplier Definition: Skill in defining buyers and managing comprehensive supplier information within the system.
Purchase Requisition Creation & Modification: Hands-on experience in creating purchase requisitions and modifying their lines as per business requirements.
Automated Purchase Order Creation: Proficiency in auto-creating purchase orders from requisitions, enhancing efficiency and reducing manual effort.
Approved Supplier Status Management: Ability to define and manage approved supplier statuses to ensure compliance and quality in sourcing.
Internal Requisition Processing: Understanding and practical application of internal requisitions for inter-organizational material requests.
Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Utilization: Expertise in creating and managing Blanket Purchase Agreements for long-term supplier relationships and simplified recurring purchases.
Automated PO from Quotation: Skill in automating the purchase order process based on quotations, streamlining the sourcing and ordering workflow.
Sourcing Rule for BPA: Ability to define sourcing rules for Blanket Purchase Agreements to optimize supplier selection.

Order Management Module: Optimizing Order-to-Cash

Proficiency in configuring and managing Oracle ERP's order management functionalities to optimize the entire order-to-cash process.

Order-to-Cash Lifecycle Mastery: Comprehensive understanding of the entire order-to-cash process, from customer order to revenue recognition.
System Parameters Configuration: Expertise in setting up system parameters for order management to control order processing behavior.
Integration with Account Receivables: Understanding of the seamless integration between order management and account receivables for accurate invoicing and payment tracking.
Differentiated Sales Order Lines: Ability to differentiate sales orders by creating various sales line types, allowing for flexible order processing.
Sales Order Setup & Creation: Hands-on experience in setting up and creating sales orders, including complex configurations.
Sales Order Integration & Completion: Proficiency in integrating and and completing sales orders through both Order Management and Inventory applications, ensuring end-to-end fulfillment.

Additional ERP Experience: HR, Pricing, & System Administration

Valuable exposure and practical experience in configuring and managing key aspects of other Oracle ERP modules, broadening my system administration capabilities.

HR Module: Defining Locations, Jobs, and creating Employee records; understanding Position Hierarchy for organizational structure.
Pricing Module: Creating customized Price Lists to manage complex pricing rules and discounts for various products and customer segments.
System Administration: Designing flexible fields (flex fields) and utilizing default ones to extend data capture; defining responsibilities and understanding access eligibility based on business needs; enabling and disabling specific profile options to control system behavior.

Key Supply Chain Management Concepts & Strategic Application

A deep understanding of core SCM principles and their strategic application to optimize end-to-end supply chain performance.

Demand Forecasting: Applied various forecasting techniques to predict future customer demand, enabling optimized inventory planning and production scheduling to meet market needs efficiently.
Inventory Management: Min Max Planning: Implemented advanced inventory control strategies, specifically Min-Max planning, to automate replenishment, reduce holding costs, and prevent stockouts by dynamically managing inventory levels.
Supply Chain Network Design: Analyzed and understood the strategic placement of facilities (warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants) and optimized transportation flow paths to enhance supply chain efficiency and responsiveness.
Automating Purchasing Workflows: Developed expertise in designing and implementing automated workflows for the purchasing process, significantly reducing manual intervention and enhancing efficiency and accuracy. This includes leveraging system capabilities to automate requisition approvals and purchase order generation.
Supply Chain Analytics: Utilized data-driven approaches and analytical tools to evaluate supply chain performance, identify bottlenecks, and uncover opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction.

Potential for Visual Data: This section could be enhanced with a sample graph illustrating supply chain performance trends, bottleneck identification, or efficiency improvements derived from data analysis.
Order Fulfillment: Developed a comprehensive understanding of the entire order fulfillment process, from the moment a customer places an order to its final delivery, ensuring accuracy, speed, and customer satisfaction.
Sales: Integrated Business Management Process: Explored how sales processes are seamlessly integrated into the broader ERP and SCM frameworks, emphasizing cross-functional collaboration to align sales targets with inventory, procurement, and production capabilities.

Capstone Project: Golden Cart - Oracle ERP for Hypermarket Transformation

"Golden Cart" was the culmination of my DEPI training, a comprehensive Oracle ERP implementation project designed to revolutionize a hypermarket chain's operations. This project allowed me to apply all learned SCM and ERP principles to address real-world retail challenges.

Project Vision, Mission & Core Departments

Vision: Digitally transforming the retail experience using data-driven operations.
Mission: Delivering convenience, quality, and affordability to Egyptian consumers.

The project focused on a hypermarket with its main branch in Cairo, supported by dedicated warehouses in each city for efficient logistics. The core departments targeted for transformation included Inventory, Order Management, Procurement, and HR.

Problem Statement: Addressing Traditional Retail Pain Points

We identified critical challenges prevalent in traditional retail operations that hindered efficiency and profitability:

Inventory Nightmares: Inaccurate stock levels, poor visibility, and inefficient warehouse processes leading to losses and missed sales opportunities.
Procurement Pain: Complex and manual supplier management, inconsistent pricing, and lack of streamlined purchasing workflows.
Sales Blind Spots: Issues with order fulfillment, limited insight into customer behavior, and a fragmented view of sales data.
High Cost of Inaction: The significant financial and operational consequences of failing to embrace digital transformation in a competitive market.
Lack of Digital Core: The absence of an integrated digital backbone to support scalable growth and data-driven decision-making.

Our Approach: Oracle EBS as the Digital Core

Our strategic approach centered on implementing Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) as the robust digital core to fulfill key objectives: **Scalability, Integration, Reliability, Efficiency, and Growth.** This comprehensive ERP solution was chosen to provide a unified platform for managing all critical hypermarket operations.

Applied Oracle ERP & SCM Features in Golden Cart

We meticulously configured and implemented various Oracle ERP features, directly applying the skills learned in the DEPI program to address the hypermarket's specific needs:

Foundational Setup & Inventory Management:

Core configurations and inventory controls implemented to establish a robust and accurate system for the hypermarket.

Multi-Organizational Structure: Defined Legal Entities, Operating Units ('GC Operating Unit'), Inventory Organizations ('Cairo - Alex'), Subinventories ('ELC', 'Clothes', etc.), and Locators to reflect the hypermarket's physical and operational structure.
Working Calendars: Established specific working calendars with exception lists for accurate planning and transaction processing.
Centralized Item Master: Implemented a single definition for all items, utilizing templates (e.g., for electronics, apparel) for faster setup and consistency.
Granular Tracking: Configured Lot Control and Serial Number Control for precise item identification and traceability.
Real-time Quantity Tracking: Ensured the system accurately tracks on-hand balances across all locations.
Units of Measure (UOM): Handled different units (Each, Case, KG) with accurate conversion rules.
Customized Transaction Types: Defined specific business transaction types to align with hypermarket operations.
Min-Max Planning: Implemented internal requisition and replenishment strategies based on Min-Max planning for inventory optimization.
Physical Inventories: Established processes to match system quantities with real on-hand quantities, ensuring inventory accuracy.

Procurement & Order Management:

Streamlined purchasing and sales processes through strategic Oracle ERP configurations, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Supplier Definition: Created a central repository for comprehensive supplier information.
Purchase Orders (PO) & Requisitions: Configured formal Purchase Orders and system-controlled Purchase Requisitions, linked to approvals and business rules.
Approval Hierarchy: Designed and linked Job/Position hierarchies to Purchasing Approval Groups and Assignments, enforcing spending limits and accountability.
Configurable Approval Workflows: Implemented automated workflows for purchasing, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
Controlled Receiving, Purchasing, and Financial Options: Adjusted system options to suit the specific business needs of the hypermarket.
Sales Order Types & Line Types: Configured Sales Order Types with specific line types (Sales, Return) to capture all sales order details efficiently.
Price List Management: Managed complex pricing rules and discounts through customized Price Lists.
Picking Rules Integration: Connected picking rules with the Inventory module to streamline pick, pack, and ship processes from order booking to fulfillment.
Customer Visibility: Provided a unified view of customer orders by linking customer accounts to sales order types.

Innovative Solutions & Business Impact

Beyond standard ERP implementation, the "Golden Cart" project included innovative solutions to maximize profitability and operational efficiency:

Automated Demand-Supply Workflow: Developed an automated workflow to adjust supply based on market demand and consumption rates, utilizing Min-Max planning. This innovative solution **eliminated 90% of human interaction** in the process, significantly boosting efficiency and responsiveness.
Profitability Maximization through Costing: Strategically linked business concepts to maximize profitability by:
- Utilizing Average Costing for inventory valuation, which is ideal for hypermarkets with fluctuating purchase prices and frequent stock replenishment. This approach smooths price variations over time, avoiding swings in inventory valuation.
- Configuring items with Costing Enabled to ensure all relevant stock contributes accurately to inventory value and Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).

Project Documentation & Artifacts

The following documents provide further insight into the "Golden Cart" project's scope, implementation, and outcomes:

Golden Cart Presentation: Overview of the project vision, challenges, and proposed solution.
Golden Cart Setup Document: Detailed technical documentation of the Oracle ERP system configurations.
Golden Cart User Guide: Comprehensive guide for end-users on navigating and utilizing the implemented ERP system.
EBS SCM Material (Reference): Supplemental material related to Oracle E-Business Suite Supply Chain Management.
BRD.xlsx - Sheet1.csv (Business Requirements Document): The foundational document outlining the business requirements for the project.

A Special Acknowledgment

The "Golden Cart" project was a significant undertaking, and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my teammates, Mariam Mohamed and Zeyad Ahmed. From initial concept to the complete Oracle ERP implementation and documentation, we handled every aspect of this project together. Their professionalism, insight, and strong sense of teamwork played a key role in bringing our shared vision to completion.

Connect with Mariam on LinkedIn: Mariam Mohamed Kamal Mohamed

Connect with Zeyad on LinkedIn: Zeyad Ahmed

Soft Skills Growth & Professional Development

The DEPI program's holistic approach extended beyond technical training, fostering a robust set of soft skills crucial for effective leadership, collaboration, and career advancement in any professional environment.

Key Soft Skills Acquired & Enhanced

A comprehensive set of interpersonal and professional competencies developed throughout the DEPI program.

Career Planning: Developed strategic frameworks for setting professional goals, identifying growth pathways, and navigating career transitions effectively.
Personality Types: Gained insights into various personality frameworks, enhancing self-awareness and improving interpersonal communication and team dynamics.
Personal Branding and LinkedIn: Learned to cultivate a strong professional online presence, articulate unique value propositions, and leverage LinkedIn for networking and career opportunities.
Emotional Intelligence: Enhanced capabilities in recognizing and managing one's own emotions, as well as understanding and influencing the emotions of others, fostering healthier and more productive relationships.
CV and Interview Skills: Mastered the art of crafting compelling resumes and cover letters, along with advanced techniques for successful job interviews, including behavioral and technical questioning.
Presentation Skills: Significantly improved abilities to structure, design, and deliver impactful presentations, effectively conveying complex information to diverse audiences with clarity and confidence.
Employment Coaching: Received personalized guidance and mentorship on navigating the job market, identifying suitable roles, and optimizing job search strategies.
Communication Skills: Refined both verbal and written communication techniques, focusing on active listening, clear articulation, and persuasive messaging for professional interactions and collaborations.

DEPI Impact: The 'That's It' Moment

The Digital Egypt Pioneers Initiative was more than just a scholarship; it was a transformative experience that profoundly shaped my professional trajectory. From deeply understanding and implementing Oracle ERP to mastering complex Supply Chain Management concepts, and critically, refining my soft skills, DEPI has equipped me to confidently tackle real-world challenges. This program solidified my ability to bridge business needs with technological solutions, turning theoretical knowledge into practical, impactful change. The "Golden Cart" project stands as a testament to this, showcasing my capacity to drive digital transformation from concept to execution.

"This is not just a portfolio; it's a testament to the journey from aspiration to applied expertise."

9 Months of Intensive Supply Chain & Oracle ERP Expertise