Supernova Award Category
Marketing & Sales Effectiveness
The Problem
In 2013, the company was struggling for better controls, process management and operational visibility on multiple fronts, including materials costs, total production costs, inventory management, production scheduling, financial performance projections and predictable profit margins. "For years we tried to make due with an accounting-only system not well suited to manufacturers. It left us with a lot of guesswork on the cost side of materials acquisition and related processes and outcomes," said Stacy Filippone, Accounting Manager. Filippone explains that the company was forced to answer questions with a lot of guesswork and not a lot of accuracy.
The Solution
Sphere One looked at various ERP solutions and narrowed the list to SYSPRO, SAP and Sage ERP 500. Ultimately Sphere One selected SYSPRO Enterprise Resource Planning software for its flexibility and customization capabilities which were demonstrated in an insightful selection process.
The results
The Sphere One deployment of a full suite of SYSPRO ERP modules in 2014 has been a "business game changer," makling a strong positive impact on the manufacturer's performance. The operational visibility issue that challenged the company was removed through material and product traceability, improved processes and reductions in manual input errors tied to raw materials availability and product inventory. Says Filippone, "With SYSPRO ERP we now have a more accurate projection of materials requirements, what those supplies cost and our total cost basis for fulfilling contracts for our various industry customers. This lets us do four things: better control of our materials purchases, know what's going to be left in inventory after filling jobs, streamline our production schedule and predict our financial needs and profit margins." Today the company is in full control not only of day-to-day operations, but also in the ability to consider future possibilities based on 100% visibility into the data and business operations. Since implementing SYSPRO, Sphere One has realized at least a 20% improvement in its materials and production cost basis and is also at least 20% more accurate in its knowledge of supplies, shipped product and available inventory. With this knowledge the company is comfortable in making captial expenditures in new machinery and process improvements.
Metrics
Utilizing SYSPRO Enterprise Resource Planning software, Sphere One has eliminated inaccuracies on material and job costs projections and has gained full understanding of inventory and supply chain data. Sphere One is now in full control of not only its day-to-day operations, but also in its ability to consider future possibilities for the company based on 100% visibility into the company's data and business processes. Sphere One now realizes a 20% improvements into material/production cost basis and inventory controls. This operational excellence has also enabled Sphere One to employ excellent customer service, ship orders when promised and grow its customer base.
The Technology
Established in 1978, SYSPRO is an industry built Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution designed to simplify business complexity for manufacturers and distributors worldwide. SYSPRO provides and end-to-end business solution for optimized cost control, streamlined business processes, improved productivity and real-time data for comphrehensive reporting and decision-making. For more information, visit www.us.syspro.com
Disruptive Factor
Sphere One was struggling for better controls, process management and operational visibility on multiple fronts, including materials costs, total production costs, inventory management, production scheduling, financial performance projections and predictable profit margins. The company's accounting-only system prompted a lot of guesswork on the cost side of both materials acquisition and related production processes and outcomes. The company was therefore forced to answer questions with a lot of guesswork and not a lot of accuracy.
Shining Moment
Utilizing SYSPRO, Sphere One is in full control of not only its day-to-day operations, but also in its ability to consider future possibilities for the company based on 100% visibility into the company's data and business processes. This operational excellence has also enabled Sphere One to employ stronger financial controls, better job bidding, excellent customer service, ship orders when promised and grow its customer base.