Leveraging ERP Solutions to Drive Efficiency

It is the goal we all have.  Implement an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profitability.  It is the Holy Grail of solutions that includes both software and hardware.  The goal is the same for both sides of the table too.  People who sell solutions want successful clients or at least we hope so and not just a sales commission.  Clients want successful solutions and do not want to feel like they were taken to the cleaners.

 

Great, now what. 

We all have the same goal.  We both want success that goes beyond the checkbook.  It all begins by utilizing your trusted advisor to evaluate how your current operations and workflow are integrated with your solution.  You need an objective set of eyes.  That also does not mean you are absolved of any input, homework or effort.  What it means that you need someone with expertise to help you with a self evaluation.  You need to know where you are today and where you want to be in the future, probably one or two years down the road.

 

Your competition is doing this right now or has done it or is about to.

 

Often a solution to a problem you do not know you have is right in front of you.  Many times your current ERP solution provider has an upgrade and perhaps additional modules that would help you address these challenges you will find.

 

You may not realize how seemingly small incremental improvements can foster big savings. 

 

I worked with a client several years ago.  They were using a very capable ERP solution, but only for billing.  At the same time they were maintaining a PC database of production information.  I was asked to see if I could clean it up a bit and address some data consistency issues.  What started as a cleanup procedure led to an integrated database with their ERP solution.  What appeared to be “too much work” really ended up saving them time, effort, and a lot of overhead.  With the database transitioned to their ERP system, full data integration and validation was possible.  They could view their inventory and produce exactly what was needed for their customer demands and not have excess inventory due to not knowing what was on hand.  Production and product labeling was improved.  Inventory accuracy improved. 

 

A level of confidence in the system resulted.  Full integration allows one hand to know what the other is doing.

 

In this case their ERP system was more than adequate.  It just took a fresh pair of eyes to review what they were trying to accomplish and mindful insight into what a fully integrated solution would do.  The transition was not too bad.  Afterwards there was no question that the results were worth the effort.  It was not painful, but did take time and effort.

 

In this case it was a matter of incorporating a database with their existing ERP solution.  Sometimes it is just upgrading the ERP solution.  In other cases it might be adding a new module.  Still in others it may be a matter of replacing a system with something altogether new.  Not all are comfortable to think about. 

 

 

Replacing ERP can sometimes be thought of as replacing your tires on your car. 

 

You start out with a new set and you do not think much about them.  You drive about and concentrate on the destination.  Over a period of time you do not notice the wear and tear.  You are concerned about what you want to get done, not on how well your tires are holding up.  That is not until you find yourself sliding out of control or notice that you almost rear ended the vehicle in front of you.  Not until you talk to an expert who sees clearly that your tires have worn too much.  The tires wear slowly, yet your needs continue to grow.  Perhaps the tires are just underinflated or need a retread or maybe they need to be replaced.

 

No one can say for sure what you need until you do a thorough analysis. 

 

If your system does need to be replaced it is helpful to keep in mind that in most cases, if you do your homework properly, that six months after implementation is complete you will be saying to yourself and others that you wish you had done this earlier.

Now is the time to contact Dolvin Consulting.  We leverage our industry expertise and contacts to help you to help yourself.  We are not out to sell you anything, but we may help you decide to buy a solution that will drive efficiency in your operations.  It is one of a number of ways to remain competitive.  We are here to help and are only a phone call away.

 

Fully Integrated Software and Happy Customers

“It used to take hours to come up with total sales for a given customer across all companies.  With S2K Sales Force, Algoma has the information with the click of a button.”

 

Read the full article by clicking here.

 

I have written about this company before.  Having faster access to information is good, but better is what they want to use the information for.  What seemed important then is still the same now.  The company had admirable goals including the want and need to improve customer satisfaction. 

 

First and foremost, that is a goal every company should have.  I can assure you that your competition has this goal and they want to prove it to your customers.  Algoma wanted to do this by increasing the efficiency of communication between their external and internal personnel. 

 

There should be no barrier to accessing customer related information when Salesreps are in front of their customers.  How do/would you feel when a sales representative is sitting in front of you and they do not even know what business you have done?  It makes you wonder if they even care.  Is your business worth anything?  Are you important?

 

In this particular case the company had a working Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and a very good relationship with the supplier, VAI.  Many companies who are looking for a better way to manage their sales process look for software designed to manage those tasks.  In this case, since they were already happy with their ERP supplier, the added bonus was the full integration of a Sales Force module to their existing system. 

 

There are many good sales management software suites available.  Many have interfaces and links to tie into other systems.  Those links are critical, however, full integration will always be more efficient.  The more tightly integrated your system, the more efficient it will run with less overhead (labor) and support issues (accuracy). 

 

VAI Solution for Algoma:

VAI ERP Software Suite runs over the Web through the portal, which is integrated with Algoma’s product configurator system.  This integration allows quote and order information from the configurator to be viewed from within the sales portal.  VAI S2K Sales Force application enables Algoma’s sales force to review new leads, enter and track quotes and opportunities, record tasks, view open orders, check account status and payment history, and review account history.  Sales analysis screens allow them to track personal sales data, as well as customer and item sales data.  They can quickly react to customer issues and opportunities, as well as create to-do’s, email campaigns and other marketing tasks.

 

The above list is a sample of how one company utilized their available resources, namely the relationship they had with their ERP supplier, to meet the demands of their customers.  To remain competitive and responsive.  That is exactly what VAI has done in this case.  The result is a happier supplier/customer chain.  Which repeats as a happy supplier/customer chain for Algoma’s customers.

 

Dolvin Consulting’s goals are the same.  Happy customers.  Tap and utilize their industry partnerships to develop and maintain healthy supplier/customer relationships.  We have a mutually vested interest in your success.  Contact us today to see how we can help you streamline your computer operations. 

 

Focus for Manufacturers

If your organization is a Manufacturer that is focused on streamlining operations, improving inventory and warehouse management, and improving customer service, then you must draw focus on and consider implementing mobile technology, business intelligence and analytics, and warehouse automation as part of your overall strategy.

 

There is no shortage of key areas to focus on in today’s tough economy.  In fact, the challenges really have not changed throughout history.  What does change is an individual company’s area of struggle and the constant flux in technology that is being used to address these challenges.

 

Mobile Technology is not just a convenient or passing fad.  It is the direction we are moving.  The evolving technology is enabling on-demand or cloud services in more affordable segments.  Some key areas that benefit are providing seamless integration, inventory tracking, shop floor management, capacity planning and product quality control.  Mobile sales force connectivity for remote workers and improved customer satisfaction (do not miss this important point – make your customers happy and they will not look else ware). 

 

Better service levels, more access to real-time information both in the office and remote results in major productivity boosts.

Business intelligence (BI) and analytics is another key area of focus.  Right now, buried in the depths of the information collected are trends and answers to forecasts and improved customer service.  Competitive advantages are literally at your fingertips, if only there were a convenient and dynamic way to get at the information.  Keeping abreast of competitors, sales forecasts, inventory changes and market trends are better done with the capture and reporting of information. 

Key pieces to BI are first having Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software that is capable of capturing the information, hopefully while reducing the manpower needed for collection, and reporting that information in a useful way.

 

Warehouse automation is on the dream board for most organizations.  Everyone envisions a completely automated warehouse, no labor overhead and complete and accurate inventory, shipments and happy customers.  Barcodes, RFID labeling and tracking, data capture, shop floor collection and full integration.    To accomplish a portion of this dream will require the previously mentioned Mobile Technologies and Business Intelligence. 

 

An organization needs to capture and analyze as much data/information as possible as quickly as possible.  Improvements are possible by leveraging data driven strategies.  But first, you have to capture the information.  Second, you need the tools needed to analyze the information.  And, this needs to be done as close to real-time as possible.  Not weeks later after-the-fact.

 

No one expects that you make a commitment to change, take a long weekend, come into work and flip a switch and you have an automated your organization.  Improvements mean evolving inventory management from a record keeping tactic to a more strategic business operation by driving major improvements in overall productivity while eliminating costly mistakes in the warehouse operations.

 

Gains come from productivity improvements and reduction of errors.

 

Specific areas of gains can be found in fully integrating operations while reducing the number of separate systems, automating as many processes as possible, plan and implement better by using the information available, reducing paperwork and the errors associated with manual handling of paper, improving inventory accuracy, and as mentioned earlier, incorporating the information collected to make better decisions in marketing and sales.

 

There are many how-to’s involved in improving operations for manufacturers.  First and foremost there needs to be a commitment to make a change.  Number one motivator here should be your customers.  Do what you need to do to keep them happy and referring new business.  All of the other reasons and ideas do not mean anything without a focus on your customers. 

 

I am repeating this point again, because it is that important. 

No other reasoning will motivate your team and generate the Return on Investment (ROI) you are hoping for without the primary focus of your intentions being on your customers.  That is it.  You must get this point and bury it in the core of any changes you want to make.

 

There are many ways Dolvin Consulting can help your team make improvements.  We focus on you, our customers, by helping you to focus on your customers.  There is no better time than now to explore how advances in technology can be used to improve your customer relations.  I can guarantee your competition is doing just that, right now. 

 

Let us help you move ahead.  We have a mutually invested future together.  No hype, no sales pitch, just question and answer to see if we can match solutions to your challenges.  Now is the time to contact us.  Help is just a phone call away.  If you do not like what you hear, just hang up. 

 

ERP Vendor Selection

It is a common thought that as a company grows they will need an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution.  It is a logical step when multiple systems are utilized to manage operations.  When extra labor is needed to manage workflow.  When customer service cannot keep up with demand.  When suppliers and customers are requesting better and more efficient ways of communication, like Ecommerce, EDI, and Web Portal, for example.  When you have no idea of your true inventory value.  When your purchasing overhead becomes too great. 

 

In fact there are hundreds of symptoms when your organization is hitting the glass ceiling.  There is more than one ceiling as your business grows.  It is not just a symptom of a tough economy that makes looking for new solutions necessary.  First and foremost, there is your competition and what they are constantly doing to take your customers away.

 

The need to drive efficiency in your operations will always be a motivator.  The need to manage costs.  The need to reduce labor overhead.  The need to meet compliance standards.  The constant flux in technology.  What are the latest buzzwords and what do they have to do with the customers I server daily?  Why would my customers shop anywhere else?  Perhaps they are constrained by budget too.  Unless there is a compelling reason of great customer service experience or care, businesses are going to shop price. 

 

The relationships you build are what bind your customers with you. 

 

You should have the same level of relationship with your ERP solution provider as you do (or want) with your customers.  What makes a good relationship?  How about open communications and they listen to you and understand your needs?  How about the “feeling” that they have your best interest at heart, even if it means you do business with someone else.

 

Benefits of a new solution include centralization of key data in a central repository for better and faster decision making.  Streamlined operations to save time and money.  Single point of entry.  Real time access to information.  Flexible reporting.  Improved employee productivity.

 

An ERP solution provides a scalable solution for new growth and expanded relationships, and improved customer satisfaction.

 

A thorough analysis is needed and that is where a trusted advisor can help you navigate the sea of change.  Dolvin Consulting works with industry experts to help you define your needs and constraints and match them with available solutions.  Contact us today to see how we can help your team.

 

VAI Explains Its (Quiet) Success in a Hotly Contested ERP Market – Part 2

VAI: VAI is a privately owned, family run business, with non-family members serving in key executive and management positions. This structure plays very well with the mid-market customers that we serve who require a high level of personalized support and service.

 

Click here for the full blog post that P.J. Jakovljevic has written about Vormittag Associates (VAI) S2K software solution. 

 

Some success attributes of VAI:

·         VAI is a profitable business and is not encumbered by debt.

·         The company is focused on developing the highest quality software that is based on real life customer requirements and best practices.

·         The S2K software is very intuitive and easy to use, and the product is cost effective to implement and easy to manage.

·         The S2K price point and diverse suite of applications offer tremendous value to VAI’s customers, and the staff has a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience.

·         VAI’s research and development (R&D) cycle has been year-round, enabling VAI to stay at the forefront of innovation.

·         VAI’s competitive advantage comes from a team that has a great deal of experience in implementing the S2K solutions.

As I mentioned on the post about part one of this article that there are many fine points about the software and there are many other good ERP product solutions in the mid market.  What is important is the customer relationship that VAI develops with its client base.  This point cannot be over or under stated. 

 

The opening line of this post is the most important part.  VAI is large enough to develop working software that matches to your challenges and is oriented towards you.  You can actually talk with the company president.  You can visit their location, they will meet with you.  You get personalized service and support.  Support by people that know you, your business and actually care about your success, not just corporate profits. 

 

The software corresponds to real-life challenges.

 

The people of the companies we work with really value a relationship aspect.  We provide value and compassion.  We know this is your business, your livelihood, and our success is mutually dependent.

 

Dolvin Consulting works with you and your team in partnership with VAI and IBM to deliver world class solutions that meet your budget.  The companies we work with typically struggle with warehouse and inventory control issues, want to streamline their operations or have a sense of frustration about the constant flux in technology.

Contact us today.  We are here to help.

VAI Explains Its (Quiet) Success in a Hotly Contested ERP Market – Part 1

VAI leverages IBM Websphere Portal middleware to deploy S2K Sales Force and IBM Cognos for the S2K Analytics application.  This is important because many of VAI’s customers are data rich but information poor.  VAI embraces these technologies so that it can give its customers the necessary tools to obtain the information they need to make better business decisions.

 

VAI S2K ERP Solution Family

 

Click here for the full blog post that P.J. Jakovljevic has written about Vormittag Associates (VAI) S2K software solution. 

 

Just having a solution is nice, but having a working solution is better.  The relevant points are:

1.       VAI truly partners with its customers to match the right solution to the current set of challenges.

2.       The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution is sold in modules so each company can start with their current needs and add additional functionality later as needed.

3.       The system includes source code for those whose team members have core competencies in program development and VAI has well qualified staff to ensure any needed modifications will not affect the stability of the solution.

4.       VAI is large enough that you do not have to worry about someone getting run over by a bus, yet small enough that you can have an intimate relationship with them (at all levels in their organization).

5.       The S2K solution runs on IBM’s Power Systems.  These workhorses need comparatively little help which allows the business to save time and money.  The business can concentrate on running the business and not the equipment it runs on.  And, yes, there is a hosted/cloud version for any organization that is ready.

 

There are many fine points about the software and there are many other good ERP product solutions in the mid market.  What is important is the customer relationship that VAI develops with its client base.  This point cannot be over or under stated. 

 

Who would you like to work with?  Big-Company-X, Little Guy-Company-Y, or a vested partner?

 

Dolvin Consulting works with you and your team in partnership with VAI and IBM to deliver world class solutions that meet your budget.  The companies we work with typically struggle with warehouse and inventory control issues, want to streamline their operations or have a sense of frustration about the constant flux in technology.

 

Contact us today.  We are here to help.

 

Manufacturing Efficiency (VAI and IBM)

A fully integrated enterprise platform specifically designed to help manufacturers streamline efficiency, control inventory and optimize costs.

 

Click here for the full story.

 

Highlights:

• Complete suite of applications to manage every aspect of manufacturing operations.

• Integration allows modules to provide a complete picture of materials, processes and capacity.

• Unified data repository provides a single version of the truth for decision making.

• Real-time data from the shop floor provides insight into work center productivity.

• Powered by robust, reliable and highly capable IBM computing systems.

 

This article highlights some things you already know and some you may have been thinking about. 

 

One would hope that an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution would offer modules to integrate the entire organization.  Unfortunately some software today does not do this.  They handle very specific suite of applications, but not everything you need.  Every organization has some unique requirements.  You solution should address those requirements fully.

 

Manufacturers have additional requirements beyond distribution and the solution needs to be able to address you needs.  Tying all those pieces together into a single repository of information is a key component to drive efficiency in your organization.  The left hand needs to know what the right hand is doing.    You need the information now, not at the end of the week when it will be too late to make a critical business decision.  Your competition is too quick to ignore.

 

The solution itself not only needs to be stable and well supported, but also the equipment that it runs on.  As a business owner you need to concentrate on the business, not the equipment it runs on.

Partnership.  Your ERP solution needs to be made with a partner that cares as much about your success as you do.  Both of your futures depend on it.  If you get the feeling that you are just one more sale and it is going to only help the Salesrep qualify for his bonus, then stop now.  You do not have a partner, you have a vendor-customer relationship. 

 

You are not buying a boxed copy of software off the shelf where you insert a disk into your computer or other server that just happens to be underutilized and are up and running in an hour.  ERP solutions are complex and you need a trusted advisor to help you first understand your business as it relates to available solutions and then a business partner to help you make the transformations needed to drive efficiency and profitability in your business.

 

Read the article and then contact Dolvin Consulting.  Let us invest some time together to see whether your challenges are met by this or any other solution.  We care and we want to prove that to you.  We promote solutions that enable you to drive efficiencies in your organization.