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A special report from
The definitive guide IT systems, software and services for UK manufacturing
In partnership with lean/agile business systems CAD/CAM and PLM enterprise systems factory/plant/automation supply chain systems IT & network infrastructure Contents Foreward.qxp:Layout 1 2/5/08 10:42 Page 42
IT Shortlist 2008: in print and online critical business and operational potential? We pick up on the thinking at analysts hortlist 2008 is our annual reference directory of IT Butler Group and Gartner, and explore systems, software, ICT consultancy and service everything from Microsoft’s collaborative Sproviders. Our objective in this issue is to make your SharePoint Server portal range and task of finding and shortlisting IT suppliers as fast, easy and enterprise content management (ECM) efficient as possible. solutions, to the raft of so-called We start by examining subtle, but important, changes in enterprise service buses (ESBs) and new the way manufacturing business leaders view the value and potential of RFID on page 44. nature of their IT investments – and the upsides and As for supplier shortlisting, your first port of call is downsides of that. The real concern going forward is that opposite, on page 43: the alpha list by function. Look for the technology itself has largely fallen off the business thinking functionality you require to find appropriate suppliers that radar. At most, we see directors explaining that new IT should be on your shortlist – then go to the pages indicated solutions are needed because they have become over-reliant for further details. on unsupported and/or under-developed software, or that Starting on page 49, you will find details on key they want a more modern, user-friendly system. providers of solutions, systems and services – in alpha order Foreword That may not matter – there’s not a lot to choose between by company name. Everything is covered: from providers of many of today’s systems, post consolidation, anyway – but ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems to supply chain the worry is that we only know what we know. Unless we management systems; advanced planning and scheduling keep up, we’re laying ourselves wide open to missing tricks. (APS) systems to product lifecycle management (PLM) And for manufacturers, that means we’re setting ourselves systems; plant and factory controls to sophisticated up for a fall at the first business hurdles – the ones marked shopfloor data capture systems; and network providers to ‘competitiveness’ and ‘sustainability’. hardware developers. What, for example, is the value of apparently abstruse IT Finally, remember the Manufacturing Computer Solutions advances, such as service orientated architectures (SOA – website at www.mcsolutions.co.uk for your shortlisting. It’s a the concept of configurable, re-usable services in place of key adjunct to the 2008 Shortlist annual, providing access to fixed IT functions)? In a similar vein, what about the products, services, suppliers, business and technology news significance of web technologies that broadly purport to and reference material – both from MCS and filtered sites on enable the ‘c’ word ‘collaboration’ – those that effectively the world wide web. Importantly, it includes a search engine change the scale of ad hoc integration (inside the four walls and database of ICT for manufacturing that’s second to none. and out to customers, suppliers and business partners)? Could some of these hold the keys to unlocking new and Brian Tinham BSc CEng MInstMC FSOE FIPlantE
Overview Epicor Software (UK) 51 The benefit of foresight Exel Computer Systems 53 IT is largely taken for granted today. At one IFS UK 55 level, that’s fine, but at another it means Infor 57 opportunities are being overlooked. Brian Inform 59 Tinham examines the issues and suggests K3 Business Technology Group 61 some key topics to get on the agenda 44 Oracle 63 Preactor International 65 Profiles Rent-IT Systems UK 67 Here, we profile the offerings of leading Sage (UK) 69 system and service suppliers to SAP 71 manufacturing industry Sescoi UK 72 SSL WinMan 73 Access Supply Chain 49 XCL Technology Group 75
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IT Shortlist Contents
Contents by function To find the suppliers most relevant to your project requirements, simply use the listing below
CAD/CAM/CAE Sescoi 72 Time & attendance Sescoi 72 SSL Winman 73 Access Supply Chain 49 XCL 75 Epicor 51 Product data management Exel Computer Systems 53 Epicor 51 Planning/scheduling IFS 55 Exel Computer Systems 53 Access Supply Chain 49 Infor 57 ICAPS 46 Epicor 51 K3 61 IBM 76 Exel Computer Systems 53 Oracle 63 IFS 55 IBM 76 Sage 69 Infor 57 ICAPS 46 Sescoi 72 Oracle 63 IFS 55 SSL Winman 73 Sage 69 Infor 57 XCL 75 SAP 71 Inform 59 SSL Winman 73 K3 61 Supply chain systems XCL 75 Oracle 63 Access Supply Chain 49 Preactor 65 Epicor 51 Factory/plant systems Rent-IT Systems 67 Exel Computer Systems 53 Access Supply Chain 49 Sage 69 IBM 76 Epicor 51 SAP 71 IFS 55 ICAPS 46 Sescoi 72 Infor 57 IFS 55 SSL Winman 73 Inform 59 Infor 57 XCL 75 K3 61 K3 61 Oracle 63 Sage 69 Business intelligence Preactor 65 SAP 71 Access Supply Chain 49 Rent-IT Systems 67 SSL Winman 73 Epicor 51 Sage 69 XCL 75 Exel Computer Systems 53 SAP 71 IBM 76 SSL Winman 73 Process industry systems IFS 55 XCL 75 Access Supply Chain 49 Infor 57 Epicor 51 Inform 59 IT & network infrastructure IBM 76 K3 61 IBM 76 IFS 55 Oracle 63 ICAPS 46 Infor 57 Sage 69 Infor 57 Oracle 63 SAP 71 K3 61 Sage 69 Sescoi 72 XCL 75 SAP 71 SSL Winman 73 XCL 75 XCL 75 Consultancy services Access Supply Chain 49 Enterprise systems CRM systems Epicor 51 Access Supply Chain 49 Access Supply Chain 49 Exel Computer Systems 53 Epicor 51 Epicor 51 IBM 76 Exel Computer Systems 53 Exel Computer Systems 53 ICAPS 46 IBM 76 IBM 76 IFS 55 ICAPS 46 IFS 55 Infor 57 IFS 55 Infor 57 Oracle 63 Infor 57 K3 61 Sage 69 K3 61 Oracle 63 SAP 71 Oracle 63 Sage 69 Sescoi 72 Rent-IT Systems 67 SAP 71 XCL 75 Sage 69 SSL Winman 53 SAP 71 XCL 75
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The benefit of foresight
IT is largely taken for granted today. At one level, that’s fine, but at another it means opportunities are being overlooked. Brian Tinham examines the issues and suggests some key topics to get on the agenda
ou know, some things never change, advancing technology itself. and vertical-focus application has enabled us and business drivers – healthy Look at speciality chemicals manufacturer to boost our operational effectiveness under competition, cost cutting, and the BWA Water Additives or, for that matter, some very challenging conditions.” Ypursuit of ultimate efficiency and radiation therapy equipment manufacturer Similarly, Martin Christopher, director of IT profit – are right up there. Others do change TomoTherapy. Both recently implemented new at TomoTherapy (which went live a few months though, and one that comes to mind is the ERP systems – and what they have to say of ago on a SAP Business All-in-One ERP solution large number of manufacturers now thinking them is undoubtedly good, insofar as it after just 16 weeks of implementation), of their IT investments almost exclusively in indicates that manufacturing business IT has describes his company’s system as enabling those self-same terms. very much come of age. And yet... international growth – as well as managing It’s subtle: ERP projects were always a Paul Turgeon, president and COO of BWA product innovation electronically and means to the joint ends of cutting costs by (which went for CDC Software’s Ross consolidating its technology leadership. automating business processes, while Enterprise ERP in both the UK and North “With SAP Business All-in-One, we have increasing efficiency by integrating America), says of his system: “Since much better visibility into our global departmental silos – both leading to better implementing Ross Enterprise, we have operations and performance, and we enjoy competitiveness and greater profits. But the exceeded our targets for working capital, the peace of mind that comes from having a detail of those thought processes seems inventory turns and days sales outstanding. fully compliant business system,” he says. “In virtually to have vanished – and with it, any We also now have a deeper and broader view addition, we have more than doubled the consideration of the potential for more radical of the business than we did with our previous throughput for engineering change orders, or tangential advantages conferred by systems… This out-of-the-box, cost-effective which directly benefits our customers.”
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IT Shortlist Overview
Admittedly, for both of these more modern, user-friendly system. word – collaboration – effectively changing manufacturers, there was slightly more to it Does that matter? On the face of it, no, the scale of ad hoc integration (inside the four than just these top line business assessments. because there’s not a lot to choose between walls and out to customers, suppliers and Each, for example, also makes it clear that the modern systems today, certainly given the business partners) now routinely possible. project team selected a system it felt would be scale of recent consolidation and resulting At one level, many modern ERP systems capable of matching immediate and future standardisation. However, the pendulum of already enable much of this. Electronic test business priorities. Each also looked carefully technology disregard has probably swung and measurement instruments manufacturer at the time and effort likely to be required to rather too far, and may be about to swing Thurlby Thandar, for example, says it expects get up and running – and chose on the basis right back and bite the unwary on the bum. to get full integration, as well as remote IT of minimising them, seeking out suppliers Many manufacturing business leaders support, when it goes live with a Syspro ERP offering good implementation practice and today consider themselves to be reasonably IT system from K3, covering everything from ‘out of the box’, non-customised industry- savvy and, compared to their position around, manufacturing to engineering change centric code. say, Y2k, they are. Most have been through at control, sales and quality management. Turgeon, for instance, explains that BWA, least one ERP project (many, more than one) Production director Keith Pauley describes it which serves the industrial water treatment, so they have every right to claim that they as providing “integration that will link all desalination, pulp and paper and oilfield know what’s involved. But, we know what we parts of the business,” thus enabling a new process markets, needed to go live as quickly know – and IT is too dynamic for that ever to level of efficiency and underpinning growth. as possible, following a buyout by private be enough. Unless you keep up, you’re laying However, there are plenty of other equity firm Close Brothers. “While we could yourself wide open to missing tricks. For developments well and truly out of R&D. Just have implemented the same systems that we manufacturers it’s worse: they may also be 12 months ago, analyst Butler Group, for were familiar with from our [former] parent setting themselves up for a fall at the first example, released its predictions for last year company, it was critical that we chose a business hurdles – those marked – with Microsoft’s collaborative SharePoint solution that fitted our chemicals business by ‘competitiveness’ and ‘sustainability’. Server portal range and its enterprise content design, and could be deployed quickly and cost effectively.” Our SAP system was delivered In much the same vein, TomoTherapy’s Christopher says he was convinced by SAP’s on time, within budget and Best Practices packages, which, he felt, would mean a speedy and successful project, while with no unplanned downtime also reducing cost and reliance on expensive consultants. “SAP Business All-in-One and Martin Christopher, IT director, TomoTherapy SAP Best Practices gave us the tools to implement quickly, so that we could keep our “ focus on customers,” he says. And the proof: Because the technology issues that matter management (ECM) solutions topping the bill “Our system was delivered on time, within today and into the future are less about the for attention. budget and with no unplanned downtime.” regular stuff – ERP, APS (advanced planning Also on its ‘ones to watch’ list were: Dig deeper and you’ll also find that both and scheduling), even business intelligence virtualisation (of servers, storage,” networks organisations, like so many others, chose IT (BI) – and more about developments that may and clients) to improve flexibility and providers whose people, they believed, were change the way companies and people think utilisation of the IT and network interested in effectively becoming business and work. Even some of the apparently more infrastructure itself; so-called enterprise partners for the long term. abstruse IT advances, such as service service buses (ESBs), leading to more widely All of which is well and good – except that orientated architectures (SOA – the concept accessible SOA; and automated business something important is missing. Not many of configurable, re-usable services in place of process management (BPM) technology. And moons ago the technology itself would have fixed IT functions) hold the keys to unlocking beyond these were: enterprise performance been at least an equal concern, because, back vital business and operational potential. management (EPM); good old BI software; the then, the platform and environment had Mostly, that’s about ensuring flexibility – convergence of fixed/mobile serious potential to make or break a project. being able to adapt business processes to communications; unified security; and RFID – Now, however, they just haven’t, so opportunities as and when they arise – which the latter, according to Butler, bound to be technology has largely fallen off the agenda. requires your systems to be easy to change (as used at the product or item level, not just on At most you’ll hear directors explaining that in, deploy new servers, install new software, pallets and containers. they had to go for new IT because they were change data views, adapt business processes). But just look at the pace of change: one over-reliant on unsupported and/or under- But in a similar vein, there’s a whole raft of year later, rival analyst Gartner reveals a developed software, or that they wanted a web technologies, broadly enabling the ‘c’ noticeably different list for 2008 and beyond. »
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IT Shortlist Overview
For example, open-source which, it says will be in no less than 80% of packaged business application software by 2012, with at least a third provided as a service subscription, rather than product licence. Gartner points out that many open-source projects are now mature and well supported, and that they provide significant opportunities, for vendors and users alike, to cut costs and eek more from IT budgets. “Ignoring this will put companies at a serious competitive disadvantage,” says a Gartner spokesperson. “Embedded open- source strategies will become the minimal level of investment that most large software vendors will find necessary to maintain competitive advantages TomoTherapy’s SAP system is enabling during the next five years.” Similarly, international growth the analyst also notes that SaaS (software as service) is already being exceptions effectively, through ERP. As Aidan Gaughran, Horseware’s endorsed and promoted by leading but also learn from financial controller, puts it: “It allowed us to software vendors, such as Oracle, SAP and [them] to improve see the value a software upgrade could Microsoft, as well as many web technology standards and processes,” he potentially add when we are ready to re- firms. “The SaaS model of deployment and explains, adding: “Virtualisation changes invest. It was invaluable in helping us identify distribution will enjoy steady growth in virtually everything.” Why? Because it’s not best practice. When putting in place these mainstream use during the next five years,” it just about achieving consolidation, but best practices, we anticipate our business to forecasts. transforming management of resources from become stronger, more robust and Other key predictions: by 2011, early individual servers to pools of resource – futureproof.” technology adopters will forgo capital which, in turn, increase server deployment Number two, your budget: Gartner advises expenditures on their IT infrastructure, with speeds alone by up to 30 times, he says. that IT managers must put a modernisation 40% going for a service approach here, too; Let’s end with a few key pointers for the programme at the heart of their 2008 strategy by 2010, 75% of organisations will use full coming 18 months. Number one, your – and start using it immediately. Why? lifecycle energy and CO2 footprint as business systems: analyst Aberdeen Group Because by the end of 2010, more than one- mandatory hardware-buying criteria; and by says that best-in-class manufacturing SMEs third of all application projects will be driven 2012, 50% of mobile workers will leave are 16-times more likely to use event by the need to deal with technology notebooks at home in favour of new internet- management functionality in their ERP and obsolescence or skills shortages, it predicts. centric pocket devices. supply chain systems – and that results in 47% Best advice: start identifying your key IT Incidentally, another survey by Gartner better schedule compliance. They’re also assets and assign management responsibility Executive Programmes finds business linking lean scheduling software to their ERP for each type, while simultaneously kicking off intelligence the number one technology systems and real-time data from the comprehensive IT planning across all priority for the third year in a row – indicating shopfloor. However, most are still paying too portfolios in preparation for change. just how slow uptake of even well-established much for too little business benefit – And finally, IT departments should not technology remains. It also suggests that mistakenly going for so-called ‘ERP lite’ wait for an official declaration of depression – agility will become the primary measure of IT systems, when what they need is less look at IT cost-cutting now. “Organisations system excellence over the next five years, as complexity, not less functionality. based in countries where GDP is projected to the sheer power of adaptability dawns on It could be an idea to follow equestrian grow less than 2% in 2008 are advised to businesses. riding clothing and accessories manufacturer prepare for IT cost cutting now,” says To this end, Tom Bittman, Gartner VP, Horseware Ireland’s lead – and consider using Gartner’s Ken McGee. Latest GDP projections advises that, by 2012, virtualisation will be a business analysis tool of some kind before for the UK? There’s no precise answer, but it’s the most significant factor in data centres – your next upgrade. Horseware went for around the 2% mark. ■ and not just because it greatly reduces the Lawson Software’s Opportunity Analyser and number of servers, space, power and cooling says that this helped to set achievable ᠣ For IT solutions, go to demands. “An agile data centre will handle business performance improvement targets www.worksmanagement.co.uk/IT
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www.access-supplychain.com IT Shortlist Access Supply Chain
Phillips House, Chapel Lane, Emley, West Yorkshire Tel: 0845 170 8888 Fax: 01924 840999 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile ccess Supply Chain, part of the Access Technology Group, Employees: 250 A specialises in manufacturing Offices: Eight and distribution solutions for small, Parent/Holding Co: Access medium and large companies. Technology Group Activities: The Access group of The Access Supply Chain software companies supplies and supports solution is a modular ERP system that business systems for global can be configured to fit any business organisations. Access Supply Chain environment and way of working. specialises in providing, maintaining From aerospace to pharmaceuticals, and supporting flexible ERP, and food to engineering, we treat our manufacturing, distribution and clients as individuals, providing accounting solutions. effective solutions for their short- and Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: long-term objectives. Direct sales and implementation Craig Such, Managing Director through Access Supply Chain, plus From ordering raw materials to regional and national centres. delivery of finished goods, we offer a single, seamless solution to strengthen your business processes, improve management reporting and increase profitability. Industrial Sectors Our customers are in a wide range of The Access Supply Chain system has excellent functionality and flexibility, and industrial sectors, including combines all the advantages of a standard package with the fit of a bespoke automotive, aerospace, electrical, solution. It has limitless potential for integration and can be deployed with complete electronics, engineering, food and confidence in every part of the organisation. drink, flooring, furniture and kitchens, metal processing, medical and Implementation is controlled using a proven and highly dependable 10-step pharmaceuticals. implementation plan, which ensures that the project is delivered on time and within budget. Users Profile Manufacturing and distribution solutions for small, medium and large Services Scheduling, Production/Capacity companies. Single or multi-site. Make- Industrial Standards: Windows, SQL Planning, Engineering Change Control to-order, make-to-forecast, make-to- Server Shopfloor systems: Time Recording stock, mix-mode manufacturing. Training & Support Facilities: Training and Shop Floor Data Capture centres at all main offices Distribution: Warehouse Management, User References Location and Lot Control, CRM, Applications/Products Forecasting and Demand Planning Acrastyle, Ascari Cars, Cromer Crab, Modular ERP and Supply Chain Financial: Multi-currency Ledgers, Crosby Kitchens, Hall’s Flooring, Management: Multi-location Stock Credit Control, Cashbook and Payroll. LycoRed, Plymouth Gin, Ritchey, Control, Traceability, Warehouse We provide turnkey solutions with Sound Leisure, Surrey Satellite and Management hardware and IT infrastructure, Ugo Foods. Manufacturing management: Product implementation and customer service Configurator, Job Costing, Quotations, plus lifetime system support. POP, SOP, Works Orders, BoM, case study Based in Sheffield, Crosby Kitchens is a director: “We increased sales by 20% and we’ve taken this 20% increase in 65-employee firm, manufacturing and in a year. Before Access Supply Chain, our stride. We are more effective, we selling kitchens to high street retailers we would have really struggled to have more visibility and more control. and house builders via distributors and keep up with any amount of new Sales order processing is faster and builders’ merchants. business because we were constantly more accurate. A 20% increase in fire-fighting and troubleshooting to business means 20% more orders to The company installed an Access get work processed. be picked and 20% more products to Supply Chain solution to help manage be delivered. Without a doubt, the rapid growth. Mike Atkin, managing “Now, we’ve got the same workforce system has helped us achieve this.”
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www.epicor.com IT Shortlist Epicor Software (UK)
No 1 The Arena, Downshire Way, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1PU Tel: 0800 0361155 Fax: 01344 468 010 Email: [email protected] Web: www.epicor.com
Company Profile picor is a global leader dedicated to providing Employees: 2,500 E integrated enterprise resource Turnover: £18,8m (UK) planning (ERP), customer relationship Offices: presence in over 140 countries management (CRM), supply chain worldwide management (SCM) and professional Parent/Holding Co: Epicor Software service automation (PSA) software Corporation solutions to midmarket companies Activities: Epicor delivers end-to-end, and divisions of the Global 1000. industry-specific solutions for Founded in 1984, Epicor serves over manufacturing, distribution, retail, 20,000 customers in more than 140 hospitality and services: these solutions countries, providing solutions in over enable companies to drive increased 30 languages. Employing innovative efficiency, improve performance and service-oriented architecture (SOA) build competitive advantage. and Web services technology, Epicor Matt Muldoon, Senior Director, Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: delivers end-to-end, industry-specific Systems Engineers, EMEA Epicor’s solutions are sold globally solutions for manufacturing, through a combination of direct sales distribution, retail, hospitality and services that enable companies to drive representatives and value-added increased efficiency, improve performance and build competitive advantage. resellers. Epicor solutions provide the scaleability and flexibility to meet today’s business challenges, while empowering enterprises for even greater success tomorrow. Industrial Sectors Epicor offers a comprehensive range of services with its solutions, providing a Aerospace and Defence, Automotive, single point of accountability to promote rapid return on investment and low total Electronics and Electrical Components, cost of ownership. Fabricated Metals, Furniture and Fixtures, Industrial Machinery, Medical Devices, Rubber and Plastics. User References support, consultancy and ongoing assistance worldwide. Users Profile More than 20,000 customers in over 140 countries including Redbull Racing, Today, Epicor’s ERP solutions are helping Benson Box, Thomas Dudley and Applications/Products midmarket organisations and divisions Pressed Steel. and subsidiaries of the Global 1000 EPICOR FOR MANUFACTURING maximize their most important Customer Relationship Management Services: Sales Management resources for profitable growth, and are Industrial Standards: Innovative service- Supply Chain Management available for a number of industry oriented architecture (SOA), Microsoft Production Management sectors including manufacturing, .NET, Web services technology Planning and Scheduling distribution, services, hospitality and Quality Standards: Microsoft Gold Product Data Management retail. Partner Service Management These solutions offer deep industry- Training & Support Facilities: Epicor has Financial Management specific functionality within each of dedicated teams offering on- and off Enterprise Performance Management these sectors. site training and e-learning. World-class Business Process Management
case study Thomas Dudley Ltd is one of the UK’s marketplace by aggressively adopting modern applications. Simon Boyes, leading manufactures of plastic toilet new technology and business Business Systems manager for Thomas cisterns and foundry products. Since practices. Dudley says: “After three weeks of in- the 1920s the company has been depth evaluation, the decision from all manufacturing high quality grey and Deciding to replace its ageing Tetra the department heads was SG iron castings at its fully mechanised CS3 system, the goal was to unanimously Epicor for Manufacturing. foundry in Dudley in the West streamline the business and provide a The most common reason given was Midlands. Thomas Dudley is a shining more powerful yet flexible ERP the sheer flexibility of the software example of how UK manufacturing solution with a standard database and combined with its easy to use can still compete in a global the ability to interconnect with other management interface.”
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www.exel.co.uk IT Shortlist Exel Computer Systems
Bothe Hall, Sawley, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 3XL Tel: 0115 946 0101 Fax: 0115 946 0606 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile xel Computer Systems is the UK owner and author of Turnover: £6.1 million E EFACS E/8, a flexible and fully Offices: head office, Nottingham; integrated ERP solution. EFACS E/8 is offices in Lichfield browser, XML, and Java-based, runs Activities: UK author, designer and on a wide range of servers, operating developer of a fully integrated ERP systems and databases, and is multi- business solution – EFACS E/8 language and multi-currency. Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: worldwide distributor network EFACS E/8 is fully customisable and incorporates all core ERP functions, Industrial Sectors with a range of integrated add-on Discrete manufacturing, aerospace, modules including, Document general engineering, sub-contract Management, CRM, Workflow, engineering, automotive, furniture, Business Intelligence, Product Rue Dilhe, Managing Director building, electronics, textiles, Configuration, Mobile Applications, pharmaceutical, food, valves, Touchscreen technology and more. packaging, forging and press work, plastics, cosmetics, rubber, jewellery and Exel’s customer base ranges from SMEs to large multinationals, and spans industries fabricated products. as diverse as food, aerospace, engineering, electronics, packaging, chemicals, automotive and many more. Our portfolio of customers includes Molton Brown, Users Profile SELEX Communications, Lactalis McLelland, Shipham Valves and Damart, to name Discrete manufacturers – from but a few. Whatever your business, whatever your size and wherever you are in the automotive, aerospace and electronics world, EFACS E/8 is the business solution for you. firms with traceability and engineering change management, to high-volume schedule-driven component manufacturers requiring lean methods. supporting Java. Microsoft SQL Server, Applications/Products Informix; single-server to multi-tier ERP: supply chain management, User References computing. manufacturing management, Quality Standards Exel is committed to data/document management, shopfloor SCA Packaging, King Trailers, Coram the provision of products and services systems, collaborative commerce. Showers, Naim Audio, Typhoon, GB that are fit for purpose and conform to EFACS E/8 is a customisable, Kent, Elizabeth Shaw, Ilmor Engineering, customer’s requirements and component-based ERP package that UAV Engines, Bennett Opie, Bankside accreditations. provides an economic and precise fit to Patterson, Finsbury Orthopaedics, Training & Support Facilities the most demanding manufacturing Modec and Wesley Barrell. Expert training and support covering all requirements. It deals with all business aspects of EFACS E/8 is available functions, including sales, purchasing, Services through our technical teams via inventory, finance, production, CRM, Industrial Standards: Browser-driven, telephone, internet, site visit, or field service management and planning, uses Java and Internet tools and runs on through Exel’s dedicated training workflow, e-commerce and decision Unix, Microsoft, Linux and systems facilities. support.
case study When SELEX Communications needed requirements, with its ease of common processes across the group to replace its outdated bespoke IT customisation and ability to define with system-wide access to data. system and implement new software system parameters. able to manage business across its 21 EFACS enables the company to run regional offices and 7 sites worldwide, Among the many benefits EFACS has applications in real-time, generating it selected EFACS E/8 from Exel brought is accessibility of information current data from the shopfloor, and Computer Systems. EFACS was best through the ability to drill down and thus accurate reports and forecasts – equipped to manage SELEX tap into previously impenetrable data. ultimately facilitating business visibility. Communications’ demanding contract For the first time the company has
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www.ifs.co.uk IT Shortlist IFS UK
IFS House, 728 London Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 1HE Tel: 01494 428900 Fax: 01494 428907 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile FS, the global enterprise applications company, Employees: 300 UK, 2,600 worldwide I provides ERP solutions that Turnover: £38m (UK), £180m (global) enable organisations to respond Offices: Worldwide in 54 countries quickly to market changes. The Parent/Holding Co: IFS AB, Linkoping, solutions allow resources to be used Sweden in a more agile way to achieve better Activities: IFS provides business-wide business performance and ERP solutions that allow resources to competitive advantage. be managed in a more agile way to achieve better business performance. With IFS Applications, now in its Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: IFS seventh generation, IFS pioneered supplies directly, and partners with component-based ERP software. The global companies that are market architecture provides solutions that leaders in several industries. are easier to implement, run and Paul Massey, Managing Director, upgrade, giving extended ERP IFS Europe West Industrial Sectors functionality, including CRM, SCM, Aerospace and defence; automotive; PLM, CPM, enterprise asset management, and MRO capabilities. construction; hi-tech; manufacturing; process (food, beverage, chemical, IFS Applications enables you to manage different business types, including pharmaceutical, paper); retail, project-orientated, contracting, manufacturing, supply chain and service wholesale and supply chain; service management, across a range of sectors, from construction through process and management; utilities and telecoms. automotive to distribution. It has the ability to support mixed-mode operations simultaneously in multiple sites, countries, currencies and languages. It has the Users Profile flexibility to support dynamic changes occurring in our industrial markets. IFS is an agile solution for firms of various sizes – from medium sized, single site companies to large, multi- environment supported by an Oracle Applications/Products site, multi-national enterprises. RDBMS. Client: Windows 2000 and IFS Applications: Because IFS above. IFS Extended Server: Any web- Applications is component-based, User References based environment. companies can implement what they Babcock, Becker Industrial Coatings, Training & Support Facilities need, when they need it. Bristan, Bristow Helicopters, BSkyB, IFS offers consultancy, training and IFS Applications offers a business Butcher’s Pet Care, Clancy Docwra, support, as well as a structured solution that can be configured to CryoService, De la Rue, Imerys implementation methodology, meet the needs of rapidly changing Minerals, Magnet, Olympus KeyMed, supported by tools, such as role based industries facing challenges in an Prodrive, Vinten Broadcast, Zwetsloots. training, instructor-led and self studies international marketplace. online, business process modelling IFS provides a broad range of tools and lifecycle management tools. Services enterprise, manufacturing, service Support is provided from the UK with management and asset management Industrial Standards: Server: Any server online and phone support. solutions.
case study Coba Plastics manufactures IFS provided Coba with the Coba can now service more customer thermoplastic extrusions for a diverse functionality to manage last minute demand from stock, while at the same customer base, and is recognised customer changes more efficiently, time holding less inventory, as well as worldwide for its quality product. The thus minimising disruption of identifying where imbalance occurs. company faced the same problem as production runs. Improved production many other UK manufacturers – how planning, using IFS, takes into account IFS brings all the management to remain competitive against lower forecast customer demand, lead time functions together under a single priced competition from overseas. It and priorities, in order to achieve the integrated system, enabling Coba to needed to increase quality and most cost-efficient manufacturing be more proactive in dealing with efficiency simultaneously. schedules. availability and supply issues.
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www.infor.co.uk IT Shortlist Infor
Infor House, 1 Lakeside Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6XP Tel: 01252 556 000 Fax: 01252 556 522 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile nfor is a different kind of software company. We Employees: 9,200 I provide business solutions to Turnover EMEA $861 million enterprising firms who want the best Offices: in 100+ countries worldwide of both worlds: solutions as business- Parent/Holding Co: Infor specific as those from smaller Activities: Infor offers business-specific providers, backed by a company with solutions to help companies in a range the financial stability and global scale of sub-sectors to automate, plan, of the enterprise software giants. collaborate and execute according to their unique requirements. Infor delivers business-specific software that helps enterprising Industrial Sectors organisations of all sizes adapt to rapid Aerospace, apparel and footwear, change. With experience built in, our Trevor Smith, Senior Vice President automotive, chemicals, consumer solutions are helping more than and Managing Director, UK, Ireland, packaged goods, service management, 70,000 companies meet their goals. Middle East and Africa food and beverage, hightech and electronics, industrial equipment and Infor is helping more than 70,000 customers worldwide to be more enterprising. machinery, life sciences, metal We deliver business-specific solutions that address the processes, regulatory fabrication, plastics, public sector and requirements and trading environments of our customers in a wide range of shipbuilding. manufacturing, distribution and services industries. Our domain experts have the knowhow to help our customers address their business problems and lower cost of Users Profile IT ownership. Infor helps them enrich the value of their investment in IT and extend With products representing 35 years of core applications with best-in-class solutions. And to meet long-term needs, we experience, our solutions have best provide a smooth evolutionary path that supports ongoing innovation. practices and specific capabilities built in for the manufacturing sector. industrial standards, such as OAGIS 9. Infor ERP (Enterprise Resource User References Quality Standards: Infor helps users to Planning) 70,000 customers, including Beamish & meet standards from ISO 9000 to FDA. Infor FMS (Financial Management Crawford, Filtronic, British Sugar, ISO 9001:2000 standard product System) Bernhard Mathews, Johnson & Johnson implementation methodology. Infor HCM (Human Capital Medica, New Balance, Hankyu, TRW Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. Management) Automotive, Reynolds Company, Lear Training & Support Facilities: We offer Infor PLM (Product Lifecycle Corporation, Hi-Tech Mouldings, on-site and off-site training worldwide. Management) Sandvik Mining & Construction. Infor PM (Performance Management) Applications/Products Infor SCM (Supply Chain Management) Services Infor CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Infor SRM (Supplier Relationship Industrial Standards: Infor Open SOA Management) embraces and supports all leading Infor EAM (Enterprise Asset Management) Infor Open SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture). case study K&W Transmissies has been supplying orders. All data was scattered across “Our production has particularly the agricultural, offshore, construction, the package, in Word and Excel.” benefited. Just when we were about packaging and food processing sectors to complete the implementation, the with chains, sprockets and drive Infor ERP LN was chosen to provide market picked up. We would never components for 20 years. an integrated business system. The have been able to handle this growth firm went for the standard package as without Infor ERP LN. It has enabled K&W had been using a financial much as possible, customising its us to keep a close eye on things and package, but K&W director Hans processes to match best practice, and provides a better understanding of Ketelaar explains: “We were unable to Infor finalised the implementation costs. The next step is management provide feedback to customers about within 45 consultancy days. information,” says Ketelaar.
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www.inform-ac.co.uk IT Shortlist Inform
Fir Villa, Oldcastle Lane, Threapwood, Malpas, Cheshire, SY14 7AY Tel: 0845 257 4706 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile NFORM is the market leader of optimisation systems in Employees: 350 I Germany, with a dedicated Turnover: €35 million (global) presence in the UK. For over 20 years, Offices: UK office Cheshire; head we have used operational research office Aachen, Germany; plus other techniques to solve supply chain international offices. problems with standard software Parent/Holding Co: INFORM Institute solutions. for Operations Research & Management GmbH Our products are designed as Activities: INFORM specialises in complementary solutions to multiple decision support tools for optimisation ERP and legacy transaction systems of logistics processes. We develop and with a focus on supporting critical support software solutions for supply chain decisions more advanced demand and inventory effectively, and in fact optimally. Our Cathy Humphreys, UK Business planning. solutions are applicable to a wide Development Manager Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: range of industries where customer INFORM sell and support all service and supply chain costs are key business performance targets. applications directly INFORM is strongly committed to turnkey customer project support. Hence, Industrial Sectors application consultancy, go-live assistance, long-term maintenance and support are We support a wide range of sectors, integral parts of every solution. including discrete manufacturing, wholesale, electronics & high tech, References from our wide range of international clients demonstrate return on automotive, FMCG, engineering, investment in less than 12 months, with clients seeing up to 40% reduction in their aerospace, construction, distribution, stock, near 100% service availability and reduced supply chain effort and costs. pharmaceuticals, after-market service.
Users Profile architecture. Microsoft SQL Database, Applications/Products Suitable for medium to large and multi- Windows 2000/XP, web-based Supply Chain Planning: national organisations where customer environments. add*ONE Demand Planner is an service is a key business driver. Quality Standards: advanced forecasting and collaborative SAP Netweaver accreditation demand planning tool to support Sales User References & Operations Planning (S&OP) Training & Support Facilities: 100+ customers globally including processes; Comprehensive on-site training add*ONE Inventory Optimizer supports Bosch Automotive, Bosch Power Tools, provided as standard. Dedicated on- SFS Intec, Worcester Bosch, Abbott material planners with optimised going telephone/email support from replenishment plans to reduce inventory Diagnostics, Linde, Warner Cinram, PK experienced support staff. Immediate Components, LuK Automotive levels whilst maintaining service levels. technical support via remote access Warehouse Management: and upgrades included within annual INVENT stock sample counting. Services support package. Industrial Standards: Client-Server
case study Providing spare parts on time to suppliers a 98% target,” says Tony Since introducing add*ONE Inventory thousands of maintenance engineers Wingrove, Logistics Manager at the Optimizer, even though demand is at was a headache for boiler time. the best volatile, Worcester has manufacturer Worcester Bosch who managed to consistently achieve decided service levels had to be Worcester, in fact, set a target of 99.98% stock availability without the improved significantly. “Key customers 100% ex-stock. “Many thought that feared significant increase in stock like British Gas were becoming much our target was simply unrealistic and levels. They also continue to manage more service focused and quite rightly could not be achieved without huge inventory efficiently, and by exception demanded improvements, setting expense in raising stock levels” thanks to the intuitive user interface.
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www.k3scs.com IT Shortlist K3 Business Technology Group
Baltimore House, 50 Kansas Avenue, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 2GL Tel: 0161 876 4498 Fax: 0161 876 4502 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile 3 is the UK’s largest provider of manufacturing software for Employees: 330 K small and medium enterprises. Turnover: £45 million (group combined K3 is renowned for delivering solutions UK & Europe) that can be easily and economically Offices: Manchester, Bagshot, assimilated into a business. They have Dereham, Market Bosworth, Galway a reputation built on unrivalled Parent/Holding Co: K3 Business experience and knowledge gained Technology Group PLC through many years of implementing Activities: K3 supplies, installs and manufacturing systems. supports SYSPRO’s Microsoft-based K3 is one of Microsoft’s largest enterprise resource planning software channel partners in the UK and is a to a wide range of manufacturing and member of Microsoft’s Inner Circle distribution businesses Club, which is reserved for the top 60 Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: K3 partners worldwide. There are 14,000 sells directly to customers Howard Joseph, Managing Director sites in over 60 countries successfully using SYSPRO’s comprehensive and Industrial Sectors innovative ERP solution. Aerospace, automotive, K3’s mission is to deliver unparalleled support services to their customers and they pharmaceutical & chemical, pride themselves in their commitment to unsurpassed customer care. electronics, fabrication, food & beverage, machinery & equipment, medical devices, packaging, plastics plus general engineering and Windows, Vista, SQL Server, Windows maintenance of a company’s IT manufacturing and distribution. NT, 32-bit client server, Citrix and infrastructure. Terminal Server, Unix, Linux, Microsoft Users Profile Exchange Server, Web services and SOA Applications/Products From SMEs to major internationals, Quality Standards: Microsoft Gold SYSPRO is a powerful, fully integrated SYSPRO supports manufacturers and Certified Partner, ISO 9000:2001, business software solution distributors in a range of industries. PRINCE2 incorporating modular applications for SYSPRO is ideal for companies that Training & Support Facilities: K3 offers ERP, advanced planning & scheduling seek to improve the flow of goods and customised, on-site or classroom-style (APS), customer relationship services through the supply chain. customer training, professional and management (CRM), supply chain comprehensive helpdesk telephone management, business intelligence support manned by a team of experts. and analytics, financial, warehouse User References K3’s friendly and impartial Customer management, HR management, GW International, Piolax, Doncasters, Service Representatives maintain document management and inventory Victoria Foods, Tyneside Safety Glass, regular contact with clients to ensure management. CommaTECH, ITW Signode, Hitachi, constant satisfaction. K3’s Developers SYSPRO’s e.net solution provides Dudson Group, Extec Screens & are available to customise ongoing complementary and easily deployable Crushers solutions to the unique requirements applications that require no updating of a business. K3’s Network when SYSPRO releases are upgraded. Services Infrastructure Solutions offer complete K3’s NIS service covers both network Industrial Standards: Microsoft peace-of-mind over the support and implementation and network support. case study GW International leads the world in which requires automation and throughout the organisation. Following the design and production of baking management. SYSPRO helps manage implementation of SYSPRO, GW tins. The company prides itself on the business as a whole, with MRP, International now has a clear view on exceptional service and quality. The ordering, production, warehousing, ROI: it has improved lead times by company has 2000 product lines, distribution and accounting. It enables 80%, boosted stock accuracy by adding up to 16 million items going comprehensive data input, including 100%, seen a 50% decrease in sales through the factory gate each year. integrated EDI and barcode scanning administration tasks, carved £1 million Manufacturing on this scale involves a therefore boosting accuracy and out of the overheads, and much more. mountain of associated data, all of providing real-time information
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www.oracle.com IT Shortlist Oracle
Oracle Parkway, Thames Valley Park, Reading, Berkshire RG6 1RA Tel: 0870 8768711 or 0870 8768743 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile racle has adaptive solutions for any business, facilitating Employees: 80,000+ (FY08 Q3) O product innovation. More Turnover: $18 billion (FY 2007) robust companies are able to align Offices: 145 countries worldwide themselves faster, adapt quicker, Parent/Holding Co: Oracle predict better to the market Corporation requirements. Oracle’s solutions build Activities: Technology, applications and upon a light and responsive services that provide companies with approach, that eliminates the excess the most up-to-date and accurate that impacts quality, increases information possible costs, lead times and inventory. Only Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: Oracle’s seamless information 19,500 worldwide architecture – providing real-time Leadership: Number one for database, information to enterprise applications data warehousing, application platform built on our secure technology Dave Food, Business Development suites, enterprise performance platforms and database – provides a Director - Manufacturing Applications management, business analytic tools, single source of the truth for the right applications, CRM globally and contract information to be provided at the right time, and allowing critical decisions to be lifecycle management made. To build adaptable demand-driven supply chains, you need innovative approaches that traditional localised systems cannot support. Today’s supply chain Industrial Sectors has become the differentiator, with those companies best able to leverage their All sectors supply networks.
Users Profile Enterprise, small and medium-sized businesses that know that the right outsourcing, support, or education, you ERP, Supply Chain Management, information leads to good decisions, can get it from the experts who know Product Lifecycle Management, and good decisions lead to successful Oracle best. Manufacturing Management, businesses. Collaborative Commerce, Service and Applications/Products Support, CRM User References Oracle Applications: Please visit www.oracle.com/customers Oracle E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft Oracle Database 10g Enterprise, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, JD Edwards World, Agile PLM, Siebel Oracle Fusion Middleware: Oracle Services CRM Application Server, Oracle Training & Support Facilities: Oracle Collaboration Suite, Oracle Data Hubs, Services help you get the most from Engineering Design, Data/Document Developer Tools, Identity your technology investments. Working Management, Production Engineering, Management, Business Integration, with you every step of the way, Oracle Shopfloor Systems, Manufacturing Business Intelligence provides a variety of services that span Execution Systems, Hardware & IT the complete solution lifecycle. Whether Infrastructure and Implementation Tools you need consulting, financing, – all via the Oracle Partner Network.
case study API manufactures specialised packing administrative processes, API replaced Not only does the solution give API and security products used in tobacco, multiple legacy systems with Oracle E- scaleability to expand with the beverage, food, luxury and consumer Business Suite. Thus it removed business, but by selecting Oracle On goods. It operates across the UK, process duplication, cut process cycles, Demand, it benefits from rapid Europe, US and Asia Pacific. enforced best practice and corporate implementation, enhanced system policy adherence, and also reliability and a reduction in IT To face the common challenge for implemented lean manufacturing, thus operating costs of 40%, allowing the growing manufacturers of managing driving efficiencies and achieving company to focus on its core all lines of business as a cohesive entity return on investment in just 30 competency of manufacturing and using a single, standardised set of months. providing better customer service.
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www.preactor.com IT Shortlist Preactor International
Cornbrash Park, Bumpers Way, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 6RA Tel: 01249 650316 Fax: 01249 443413 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile reactor International is an independent company based Employees: 30 P in the UK. Preactor’s mission is Turnover: £3.5m to provide its clients with cost- Offices: Head Office, Chippenham, effective, interactive decision support Wilts; other offices in North America, tools that will help them to become France and India. more agile in a fast changing make- Parent/Holding Co: The CIMulation to-order environment, where speed Centre (Holdings) Ltd. and accuracy of delivery are key Activities: Preactor provides a competitive issues. comprehensive range of Finite Capacity Scheduling (FCS) and Specialising in scheduling software for Advanced Planning & Scheduling more than 14 years, Preactor (APS) software tools for International offers a range of manufacturing companies of all sizes scheduling software solutions for Mike Novels, Managing Director and in all sectors. manufacturing and service industries. Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: Its unique combination of ease of use, Preactor has over 400 companies flexibility and integration capability combined with unmatched price/functionality comprising 1,000 plus accredited has enabled many users to obtain a return on investment measured in weeks, some professionals within a managed in days. partner network. For further information see www.preactor.com Our clients include more than 2,200 organisations in 64 countries ranging from small companies with no more than 50 employees to some of the largest Industrial Sectors corporations in the world. There is a significant user base in Europe, the Americas, Preactor’s inherent flexibility makes it Asia and Africa. The product is translated into 30 languages. applicable for all industrial sectors. For a comprehensive list of these, see www.preactor.com PPG, Flextronics, Bakkavar, Siemens, see www.preactor.com Users Profile GKN, Corus, Mead Westvaco, Pfizer, Preactor is used from SMEs upwards Security Printing and Dunlop. Applications/Products to some of the largest global Manufacturing Management companies. Preactor is especially Services Preactor 200 FCS, Preactor 300 FCS, helpful for companies with make-to- Industrial Standards: Windows Preactor 400 APS, Preactor 500 APS order and Lean/Agile manufacturing Quality Standards: Microsoft Gold Shopfloor systems: Preactor Viewer business requirements. Partner Service and support: Training, Systems Training & Support Facilities: An implementation and Support User References extensive range of training courses are Users include Diageo, Silver Spring, available and run on a regular basis –
case study Waymouth Northumbria is a specialist mission critical requirement for this of Preactor enabled the company to engineering company offering CNC 100% MTO manufacturer. Prior to see the impact of every decision on machining services to produce non- investing in Preactor, the production the shopfloor and through the standard components and sub- planning system relied heavily on the business, which improved efficiency by assemblies for a range of industries production manager’s knowledge of 10%. Planning horizons have grown including fluid power equipment, what product required which routing. from 3 to 40 days with maintenance petrochemical and offshore oil, However, trying to manage 19 CNC now much more effectively handled. automotive and capital plant. machines, over 30 workers, As MD Alan Stephenson says: “In Remarkable business growth subcontractors, maintenance and addition to the physical benefits, it’s combined with a diverse product everything else simply became too almost as if we’ve gained another two range makes planning and scheduling much as the business expanded. or three machines because of how the 25 primary machining resources a The powerful simplicity yet flexibility smoothly everything now runs.”
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www.rent-it-systems.com IT Shortlist Rent-IT Systems UK
10 Mill Court, The Sawmills, Durley, Southampton SO32 2EJ Tel: 01489 860851 Fax: 01489 861209 Email: [email protected]
Company profile 23mrp.Net is a unique business proposition, designed Offices: As above 1 to address the flaws in Activities: 123mrp.Net was conceived traditional systems supply methods. as a direct response to the flaws in The system is provided for a low traditional selling and implementation monthly rental fee, with no contract methods characterised by modular and no penalties. The system is MRP/ERP systems. It eliminates the supplied complete, not in modules, high risk of failure associated with with published, transparent pricing. traditional production management systems, setting new standards in Regular, free monthly evaluation usability and capability.123mrp.Net is workshops are held across the UK, provided on a no-commitment, allowing you to check the suitability of monthly payment plan with risk free our product. You can even book staff training. on training at no risk – if you do not Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: Guy Amoroso, Managing Director wish to continue just walk away. Principally direct but dealers and business alliances are being established Only five days is needed, including implementation planning, system administration across UK, Europe and the rest of the and legacy data transfer. Once you are satisfied, simply register and receive the world – enquiries welcome. software. Rather than be drawn into a lengthy evaluation process with other systems that can cost you hundreds of man-hours, many companies decide to try Industrial sector 123mrp.Net. Our risk-free approach allows you to be up and running with a All manufacturing types, styles and minimum of fuss and financial outlay. Our customers really appreciate that it only sectors, including aerospace, works for us if it works for you. automotive, engineering, electronics, textiles, food, medical, plastics, Pacscom, Cryomed, Jarvis provided in electronic format for easy, furniture, packaging, oil, water, Manufacturing, Thermal Engineering, customer-driven downstream training. defence, subcontract engineering and Components & Technology, Canyon Fully inclusive telephone support, subcontract electronics. Europe, Flowplant, Image on Food, remote assistance and upgrades within Global Infocom, Cobra UK Automotive, the monthly payment plan. Users profile Lascar Electronics, Cobra Design Centre, Customer profiles from 4 to 800+ D&G Mouldings, RH Technical Application/products personnel, with multiple factory/office Industries and Percival Aviation. Manufacturing management: locations and international, including 123mrp.Net is an advanced, true .Net one-off, small batch, high volume Services software application based on repetitive, make-to-stock, engineer-to- Industrial Standards: Microsoft .Net Microsoft’s SQL and offers simplicity of order and make-to-order, process, architecture; Windows 2000/XP/Vista; use. It is everything that you would discrete, subcontract and capital SQL databases. expect to find in a manufacturing equipment – and any combination. Training & Support Facilities system, from your initial estimates and Only five days of training required (and quotes, through sales and purchasing, User references no consultancy) offered on a no- full stock and manufacturing control, Delta Design, Codan Rubber, Elemental obligation basis. You only pay when despatch, invoicing with accounts Microanalysis, Voller Energy, NIBSC, satisfied. All training documentation integration and interfacing options.
case study Warning beacons manufacturer Delta reason we chose 123mrp.Net is that I “I never got the impression that the Design needed to replace its DOS- felt we could forge a relationship with a company would take our money, sell based MRP system. Despite its MD supplier who understood our needs and us further consultancy at every being the chairman of the MRP’s user that had a good product that could be opportunity, especially given that we group, the firm decided to evaluate tailored to our business. I could see can walk away at any time. We four alternative systems. what the up-front costs would be; there reduced our paper generation by 30%, was nothing hidden. I like the rental cut stock inaccuracies by 85% and Says Richard Battersby, MD: “The model as we can budget precisely. errors in general were cut by 50%.”
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www.sage.co.uk IT Shortlist Sage (UK)
North Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 9AA Tel: 0845 111 9988 Fax: 0845 245 0292 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile ur goal is to streamline processes between Employees: 1,600 (UK): 13,000 O manufacturers, suppliers, the (worldwide) shopfloor, and customers, helping Offices: Newcastle upon Tyne, your business to run at optimum Reading and Manchester efficiency and profitability. Sage Parent/Holding Co: Sage Group software puts you in control by Activities: Sage is a leading supplier of managing product life cycles, business management software and scheduling work effectively, tracing services to 5.5m customers worldwide, resource utilisation and improving from start-ups to larger firms. business analysis. Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: We have a nationwide network of We also have a range of CRM certified Sage Business Partners. Many software that enables manufacturers are also Sage developers working with to acquire, retain and develop David Pinches, Head of Sage’s us to customise Sage software to meet profitable relationships. They enable MMD Software Group the specific needs of customers and to your sales, marketing, customer integrate our software with third party, service and support teams to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. industry-specific solutions. Integrating our software across your business will bring together your front and Industrial Sectors back office with your shopfloor processes, enabling you to cut costs, save time Sage is successful across many sectors, and improve customer service. And because we offer software for all sizes of such as manufacturing, chemicals, manufacturers, you have the added reassurance that, as your business grows, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, your Sage system can grow with you. plastics, automotive, electronics and make-to-order production. Services Applications/Products Users Profile Industrial Standards: DB: Retrieve ERP: Sage software and services suit 4GL, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM manufacturing businesses of all types Sage provides integrated, scalable Informix, Oracle, proprietary. OS: and sizes. It encompasses integrated manufacturing and business Windows, Unix, Linux. ERP, CRM and business management, management software that helps mid- Quality Standards: ISO 9001:2000 enabling full control of your business market businesses to streamline the and the TickIT guide Issue 5. across finance, distribution, supply chain between manufacturers Training & Support Facilities: Sage manufacturing, services and e-business. suppliers, shop floor and customers. develops comprehensive quality We offer supply chain management, training and support programmes product lifecycle management, User References through our experienced Sage manufacturing management, Coventry Prototype Panels, Bayer business partners and consultants. data/document management, shop Diagnostics, Universal Products, PJ This nationwide coverage ensures floor systems, MES, collaborative Smoothies, RE Thompson & Co, that all customers can have fully commerce – plus hardware and IT Rixonway Kitchens, Games Workshop, localised, on-site training and infrastructure and service and support Begano, Premier Kitchens, Qualceram support. via our business partners.
case study Bushell & Meadows has continued to Sage, provided by our business weren't. That knowledge in itself has grow as a market leader producing partner, Quintech. Since increased turnover automatically,” high quality subcontract engineering implementation the company has says Ian Mence, business components for medical, aerospace, experienced phenomenal efficiency development manager. defence and industrial markets. improvements, including faster order receipt, shopfloor paperwork (was a Bushell & Meadows is looking at With growth came the need for week, now less than one day) and implementing shopfloor data accurate, timely information to keep cost collection by works order. “Two collection in order to improve analysis everyone updated on business years ago this company didn't and, says Mence, “to quickly identify performance. In 2006 Bushell & understand quickly, by month, what bottlenecks and enhance the support Meadows’ management team chose jobs were making money and which activity, not just machine resource.”
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www.sap.com IT Shortlist SAP
Clockhouse Place, Bedfont Road, Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 8HD Tel: 0870 608 4000 Fax: 0870 4050 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sap.com
Company Profile AP is the world’s leading provider of business software. Employees: over 44,000 worldwide S Today, more than 46,100 Turnover: €10.2 million in 2007 customers in more than 120 countries Offices: HQ Waldorf Germany, with run SAP applications — from distinct subsidiaries in more than 50 countries solutions addressing the needs of small Parent/Holding Co: SAP AG businesses and mid-size companies, to Activities: Business solutions for suite offerings for global organisations. enterprises of all sizes Powered by the SAP NetWeaver Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: technology platform to drive SAP’s strategic partners offer a variety innovation and enable business of high quality skills and services to change, SAP software helps meet the needs of any organisation enterprises of all sizes around the world to improve customer John Hammann Industrial Sectors relationships, enhance partner Industry Principal for Manufacturing SAP solution portfolios support the collaboration and create efficiencies Sector, SAP UK and Ireland unique business processes of more than across their supply chains and business 25 industries, including automotive, operations. SAP solution portfolios support the unique business processes of more aerospace and defence, consumer than 25 industries, including high tech, retail, financial services, healthcare and the products, high tech, industrial public sector. machinery and components, life sciences, oil and gas.
Users Profile Platforms supported include AS/400; Applications/Products SAP is the recognised leader in Linux, Unix; Microsoft Windows NT; SAP Business ByDesign; SAP ERP; SAP collaborative business solutions for Microsoft Windows Server and OS/390. Customer Relationship Management; companies of all sizes. 65%of SAP Client software is available for HTML, SAP Product Lifecycle Management; customers are small or mid-size firms. Java and Microsoft Windows XP and SAP Supplier Relationship Management; Vista. SAP Supply Chain Management; SAP User References RDBMSs supported include IBM DB2, Solutions for Governance Risk and Adidas, Apple, Coca-Cola, Colgate- Informix, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Compliance; SAP Business All-in-One; Palmolive, General Motors, Kellogg’s, server. SAP Service and Asset management McDonald’s, Nestle, Nike, Nokia, Duet; SAP Business One; SAP Oakley, Olympus, PepsiCo, Procter & Quality Standards: ISO 9000 Manufacturing; SAP Global Trade Gamble, Rolls-Royce, Samsung, Sony Services; SAP Cost and Quotation Speedo, Unilever, Waterford and more. Training & Support Facilities Management; SAP Manufacturing SAP offers a wide range of training and Integration and Intelligence; SAP Services: support that will enable you to deploy Integrated Exploration and Production Industrial Standards: SAP promotes your software fast; and ensure you are SAP Product Definition standards and is represented on most of able to operate at peak levels to meet SAP Resource and Portfolio the standards-defining organisations. your business goals. Management
case study Malvern Instruments supplies scientific efficiency and effectiveness. Working through to manufacturing to be equipment to a range of industries, with a leading partner to implement checked against demand. “With a including pharmaceuticals, food and an integrated SAP solution that could single database, the management chemicals. Based in Malvern, the 300- run the entire business. team can access information quickly employee company exports 90% of its and effectively. The status of sales output and faced the challenge of Malvern was soon able to generate opportunities, customer equipment managing a growing portfolio of higher revenues at less cost per sale, schedules, inventory availability and products to address new markets. The which also improved efficiency and profitability analyses are all available first step was to re-engineer the customer service. When sales quotes from one source,” says Rob Prestidge, company’s sales processes, to increase were generated, they flowed straight Malvern’s finance and systems director.
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IT Shortlist Sescoi UK www.sescoi.com
Services: Industrial Standards: Windows Sescoi UK STEP, Standard and Native file 8 Trinity Place, Midland Drive, translators Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1TX Training & Support Facilities: In house training facilities and on site Tel: 0844 5617014 training and support, offered by all Email: [email protected] Sescoi offices Hotline telephone, live online assistance and Internet support for customers under maintenance contract Company Profile engineering, models and prototypes, motor sport, sport and leisure goods, Employees: 200+ worldwide Applications/Products Offices: UK, France, Germany, Spain, consumer electronics, special machinery. USA, Japan, India and China WorkPLAN Enterprise, a new Parent/Holding Co: Sescoi International Users Profile generation ERP system for custom manufacturers SA. Boulevard du General de Gaulle, All companies requiring mechanical MyWorkPLAN, a cost effective and easy 71009 Macon Cedex, France CAD/CAM, particularly mould, die and to use job management system Activities: Sescoi is a supplier of toolmakers. WorkNC, an automatic CAM/CAD computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), Custom or make-to-order system for two-to five-axis machining computer-assisted design (CAD), manufacturers and companies working WorkNC-CAD, a uniform CAD solution enterprise resource planning (ERP), on a project-basis requiring specialist for the entire manufacturing process engineering product lifecycle manufacturing management software. management (PLM), and job WorkXPlore 3D, a high speed collaborative viewer for analysis and management systems. User References Dealers/VARS/Systems Integrators: exploration of all 3D CAD data. Rolls Royce, Jaguar, BMW/Rover, Over 50 country distributors worldwide Bentley, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Audi/VW, Renault, Peugeot, Nissan, Fiat, Industrial Sectors Salomon, Fisher Price, Playmobil, Calor Automobile, aerospace, mould, die and Miele, Eurocopter, Samsung, Toshiba, tool, medical and dental, general SEB, ARRK Group.
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www.winman.co.uk IT Shortlist SSL-WinMan
Company profile Employees: 25 Turnover: £1.5 million (UK) 220 Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Offices: Three Birmingham B24 9FD Activities: ERP software Tel: 0121 749 8050 Fax: 0121 749 8075 Industrial sectors Manufacturing and distribution. Email: [email protected] WinMan is a 100% Microsoft .Net and SQL-based business system, covering manufacturing, distribution, CRM and financials. Services features – such as custom Industrial Standards: Windows 2000 or dashboards, custom forms, web User profile above, Microsoft .Net, SQL 2005, reporting and process controls, which n-tier standards. put WinMan users firmly at the Small and medium-sized Training & Support Facilities: cutting edge of modern ERP systems. manufacturers and distributors. Comprehensive on-site and off-site WinMan’s enhanced flexibility, Current sites range from five to 250 training. Unrivalled customer support performance and transparency make concurrent users. Many ‘Lean via remote access or on-site. it the smart choice for both small and Thinking’ reference sites. medium sized manufacturing Application/products enterprises. We would like to User references ERP, supply chain management and welcome aboard all our new Racal Acoustics, ExceptionVAR, manufacturing management: customers, which include such names Offshore Electronics, Eborcraft WinMan’s ground-up redevelopment as Fernau Avionics, Skopos Design, Furniture, Pacific Direct, Coles in .Net II managed code has been well Duraweld, Centurion Europe, Amefa Traditional Foods, AP Driveline, VTL received. Introducing Microsoft and Art Marketing. Why not contact Automotive, Mitsubishi Pencil Reporting Services in SQL 2005 has us for an industry-specific case study Company, Centurion Europe, enabled us to further advance the or to arrange a demonstration. Edinburgh Instruments, Lantech Inc. reporting power of the product and its
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www.xcl.co.uk IT Shortlist XCL Technology Group
XCL House, 140 Aberford Road Woodlesford, Leeds LS26 8LG Tel: 0113 2880111 Fax: 0113 2880112 Email: [email protected]
Company Profile CL Technology Group provides innovative, software Employees: 30 X solutions to the food and Turnover: £3 million (UK): £750,000 drink, manufacturing and retail (Europe) distribution industry. We provide Activities: Specialist in manufacturing Business Applications, such as supply execution systems (MES) and plant chain systems, manufacturing automation systems. execution solutions and process control, as well as automation services, Industrial Sectors focusing on meeting the individual XCL operates in virtually all needs of the customer, where Manufacturing Industry sectors, Food optimum operational performance and and Drink markets and Retail efficiency are key business drivers. Distribution. Andrew Knowles, We have a unique approach to Managing Director Users Profile business based on five core disciplines – commercial, logistics, manufacturing, QA and business intelligence – and hence Manufacturing organisations, ranging are ideally placed to address virtually any business/manufacturing challenge. Our from small owner/manager companies solution, XLogix, can be delivered as a fully bespoke application covering every to Plcs and multinationals, that want to aspect of the manufacturing process, or in a modular format, allowing it to improve operational effectiveness of integrate with existing software, filling the functional gaps and achieving seamless their plant resources (people and alignment with your current business processes. Combined with extensive real time machines) and the links into their reporting and Business Intelligence tools, our aim is to ensure your business business systems. operates in a more efficient and profitable manner.
User References Key benefits of XLogix include: Our Licence Model; which is by site not number of Cadbury, Shell, Total, Diageo, Golden users, therefore affording major savings to multi-user sites. Our Bespoke Solution; Acres, Marshalls, British Gypsum, British based upon a thorough walkthrough of your processes, to gain a complete Energy, Pirelli, BP and Bakkavor. understanding of your requirements ,thereby enabling configuration of a Solution which meets your needs precisely. Real Time Scheduling and Data Capture; Services improving and expediting Decision Making. Industrial Standards: Windows Quality Standards: ISO 9000, Tick IT Training & Support Facilities: End to Applications/Products Real time scheduling and data capture end project management, full project XCL’s system, XLogix, covers ERP, improve and expedite decision- implementation services, extensive supply chain management, making. training post-installation and manufacturing management, data and We also offer networking hardware commissioning. XCL also provides 24 document management, production and IT infrastructure, as well as hour support contracts, with on-site engineering, plant and shopfloor implementation tools and full service assistance within eight hours and on- management, manufacturing and support. line support within 4 Hours. execution and collaborative commerce.
case study For leading European pet food environment, by providing paperless business financials. Furthermore, manufacturer Golden Acres, XCL quality assurance, including full Golden Acres’ customers have the installed a full turnkey factory MES bidirectional traceability. QA checklists ability to view their product-specific (manufacturing execution system) that can be accessed by PDA, mobile, Traceability, Scheduling and Reports provides RF-based warehouse scanner and fixed touchscreen. The via a secure web portal. management and stock control, along system also provides a full Microsoft with production scheduling and .Net-based factory reporting system, All captured data can be viewed in real packaging control. with OEE (overall equipment time, enabling faster and more effectiveness) analysis and reporting, effective decision-making. This eco-friendly system helps the as well as bidirectional integration with
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