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Integrated package |
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A thorough walk through of the way
work flowed into and through the company, from the initial enquiry
and quotation stage through to delivery and invoicing, provided
the basis for the investigation of potential integrated ERP
systems. Twenty suppliers were contacted, details on ten packages
were reviewed and two demonstrated. Four packages were short
listed for further evaluation. |
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It was also recommended that two
should be selected for demonstration after gauging potential
suppliers following requests for quotation. Quotations, and
subsequent demonstrations, were to be based on a workflow analysis
and actual data from each of the company's five business types |
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Of the four packages short listed
one supplier did not respond, despite being chased by telephone
and email, one was much more expensive than had appeared it
would be at the information gathering stage, and another did
not answer 7 of the 10 specific questions asked of them in the
request for quotation. |
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The fourth was selected for demonstration.
The software house presented the demo using Lloyds Beal actual
data, and the supplier was asked if they could arrange a user
visit, in order to see another company using the package first
hand and find out what they thought of it and the supplier. |
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The visit was arranged at a company
with a similar culture, and was a great success, resulting in
the selection of the package for implementation at Lloyds Beal.
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Mobile managers |
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A detailed specification for a mobile
manager system, using the
Groupware package, Lotus Notes, was written. This would allow
the sales team to remain in touch with the office data regarding
customers, and update the customer contact management system
while on the road as well as help with quotation queries from
less experienced staff.
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Four laptop computers and new mobile
phones have been purchased, a Lotus Domino server installed,
and Notes installed on the laptops. After making minor changes
to a few standard templates, the sales team will be ready to
take to the road (whether in Beijing, Athens, or London), using
the new system to help the office with quotations and passing
information about sales calls back to base. |
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Bandwidth |
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Fibre optic and microwave connectivity
was explored and potential
suppliers invited to quote.
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A fibre optic cable has been installed,
connecting the two sites (350 metres), and already improvements
have been noted. Response times when using the existing job
and stock systems have been drastically reduced, making the
system usable. |
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Drawings and CD ROM |
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The feasibility was evaluated and
both elements were found to be achievable at low cost from a
local supplier |
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The supplier has been commissioned
to deliver both the CD ROM and drawings, and has made valuable
creative contributions to the way the information will be structured,
in such a way as to help with self-calculated product requirements. |
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Performance measurement and payment
scheme |
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The measurement programme has been
installed in such a way that each department and level of staff
can see how they are performing compared with a baseline level
of September 1999. For the first time the Company can see easily,
from clear trend lines, how each department compares with the
others, and similarly with revenue by line of business. |
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The information is being charted
monthly, and the charts pinned up in the immediate work environments
of all staff. |
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The payment scheme will reward all
employees for improvements made in the performance of their
particular department, or revenue stream by line of business |
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Implementation plan |
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A time and milestone focussed implementation
plan was recommended, together with a project management structure. |
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| The Result |
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| The client was very pleased with
the clarity of the analysis and recommendations, and is at least
part way through the implementation of all aspects of the project.
This phase is also being carried out by Andy Sinden of Horwood
International, under the auspices of the Wales sme business
programme.
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| When asked for a comment about the
project, the Finance Director said "we're very pleased
to have been stung into action, and to be able to draw on the
wide experience of Mr Sinden". |
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| The Future |
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| It will be a few months before the
full benefits of this project are seen, but already people are
beginning to be more focussed. In particular, when the integrated
system is up and running, massive time savings will be seen,
together with much less disruption on the shop floor and in
the stock yard. |
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| Andy Sinden has been asked by the
Company to spend a little time at the company for the next 6
months, helping the company and staff maximise the benefits
of the efficiency improvements and improved management information
that will be generated |
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| In particular this is to help improve
the level of business by revenue stream, and help ensure the
additional throughput generated is processed through the assembly
and test facility without additional cost. |
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