Mid-West Metal Products Experiences Savings With Epicor ERP

For nearly 100 years, Mid-West Metal Products has produced wire-formed, sheet metal fabricated, and tubular metal products for customers ranging from global corporations to small emerging enterprises. With four locations in Muncie, Indiana, including three manufacturing facilities, as well as production operations in Dalian, China, the company specializes in the custom design and manufacturing of enclosures, bag stands, pet crates, shelving, and displays from concept to finished product.

Over the past five years, the company has grown steadily, with sales increasingly rising among general and big box retailers as well as distributors worldwide and employee count has risen to 150. Due to this growth Mid-West Metal was experiencing business challenges due to the difficulty of retrieving historical sales information as well as automating shipping, processing, packing, and picking activities across five locations

By selecting to implement Epicor® ERP, the company realized the following benefits:

• Identified production inefficiencies, which enabled Mid-West to reduce labor costs by 20 percent and increase sales by 30 percent during the first year of use

• Provided a clearer picture of both profitable and non-profitable product lines

• Streamlined order processing and eliminated the need for sales representatives to fax all requests

• Created a web store to integrate with the existing portal for their distributors and customers.

To learn more about the business benefits Epicor can provide, and read additional case studies and customer testimonials, visit the Epicor Customer Stories page.

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Zeller Corporation Uses Phocas For Smarter Decision Making

Zeller Corporation provides engineering solutions to global customers. Zeller’s legacy system was sufficient, but had flaws: a report generation process that, although complex, processed all data in the same way and delivered two dimensional and time-delayed outputs.

Zeller’s IT Manager Janet Martinez says, “Phocas changed the game. Once we saw its capabilities and competitive pricing structure, we knew that Phocas offered the functionality, flexibility and business insight we were looking for. Critically, the depth of business intelligence was matched by simplicity of use.” 

Training needs were minimal. Zeller employees were able to operate the system from the moment it went live. “Our CEO has been using it since day one,” says Martinez. “It allows him to slice and dice the numbers in ways that are meaningful to our business, and gives a multi-faceted overview of what’s happening internally, and how we are meeting our customers’ needs.” 

Before Phocas, Martinez was the only member of the Zeller team able to query the business data, forcing her to produce 13 reports every month. This represented a major time investment and delivered static, snapshot, data with no analytical capabilities. Today, 20 members of the Zeller team, including branch managers, sales staff and senior management, access the company’s data in real time, with the ability to drill down and transform it into information that helps to drive productivity and profitability. 

Ongoing support from the Phocas team is uncovering new potential for Zeller. “Phocas is already proving itself a priceless business asset, but the more we use it, the more ways we find to use it,” adds Martinez. “With sales and forecasting now in place, we are looking to add open orders and inventory data so we can bring the same level of visibility to these areas. We are also looking to open it up to more users, bringing the power of real time information to our sales teams on the road. Whatever we need, the Phocas team makes it happen. The sky’s the limit.”

To read more and learn about how Phocas can help your business, visit the Case Studies section of the Phocas website.

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For 2016 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Distribution_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016DSG

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Epec Engineered Technologies Streamlines Manufacturing With NetSuite

Epec Engineered Technologies is a New Bedford, Massachusetts based designer and manufacturer of custom products for the electronics industry. With over 100 employees Epec was struggling with their on-premise solution and was experiencing difficulty integrating several manufacturing locations in Asia and getting real-time data on order status and production location.

Epec chose NetSuite Manufacturing Edition as the system that could be best customized to meet its unique workflows and business processes for its production of custom-built electronics products while still supplying end-to-end design and manufacturing capabilities including bills of materials inquiries and MRP for greater control over production.

NetSuite scaled with Epec as the company expanded its base of 5,000 customers around the world, including GE, Honeywell, Philips, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman; and allowed it to easily onboard 10 acquired companies while supporting anywhere, anytime work for new personnel.

In addition, Epec has extended NetSuite usage to four contract manufacturers in China, with third-party personnel updating work-in-progress information daily for visibility by headquarters. Two dozen other Asian manufacturers receive work orders through the system and communicate status back via email.

To read more NetSuite case studies and learn more about NetSuite Manufacturing Edition, visit the NetSuite NewsRoom.

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For 2016 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Distribution_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016DSG

For 2016 Manufacturing Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Manufacturing_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016MFG

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Plasan Leaps Ahead With QAD Cloud ERP

When Plasan Carbon Composites, a manufacturer of carbon fiber automotive components, was about to start a new company with two major Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customers (General Motors and Chrysler), they realized they were in need of an ERP system that would not only meet their current needs, but also those of a growing and expanding business. They also had to move quickly, but effectively to be successful.

QAD Cloud ERP rose to the top of their Cloud ERP list. “QAD is a major power in the automotive sector and their Cloud ERP is a well established product,” commented Phillip Austin, Plasan’s QAD Systems Manager.

In addition to implementing their new ERP system, there was a critical deadline to satisfy both GM and Chrysler contracts. “We needed to be up and running quickly, so we focused on tracking production, financials, purchasing, and order entry,” noted Austin. “It was invaluable to be able to begin with an ERP implementation that required very little customization. The entire process took less than three months.”

Plasan enjoyed many benefits of their Cloud ERP system as it has proved to be stable, responsive and with excellent uptime. “If we used on premise ERP we would need to double, triple, even quadruple our ERP team to support our 24/7 operations, plus invest in hardware. Thanks to QAD Cloud ERP that we don’t even have to think about that.”

To read more about QAD Cloud ERP and view additional customer success stories and case studies, visit the QAD Newsroom.

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Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

For 2016 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Distribution_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016DSG

For 2016 Manufacturing Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Manufacturing_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016MFG

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Martin Bros. Increases Service and Reduces Inventory with Blue Ridge

Martin Bros. is a full-line distributor with more than 11,000 SKUs, including food products, large equipment, small wares, medical supplies, and janitorial and cleaning supplies. Headquarters in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the company employs more than 500 people who serve the Midwest United States.

Revenue first surpassed $100 million in the early 2000's and has more than tripled a decade later. This growth could not happen without a world-class inventory team. From the perspective of Jennifer Meinders, Purchasing Director, her team of replenishment buyers is key to providing the company’s legendary customer service. However, in order to support this rapid growth, Meinders knew she needed a replenishment system to enhance produce purchasing, school bids, events, minimize dumps, and increase cash flow.

Since implementing Blue Ridge, they now consistently achieve firstpass order fill rates of 99.6 percent before item substitutions. This was accomplished while reducing overstock by 25 percent. “Blue Ridge listens to our industry and they have been delivering breakthrough solutions at a rapid pace. Very few software companies combine a state-of-the-art application with very proactive guidance that pushes us to excel. They never let us rest on ‘good enough’ and we have the type of team that turns that into results. Our results in inventory and service speak for themselves."

To learn more about Blue Ridge and read additional customer success stories, visit the Blue Ridge Newsroom.

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For 2016 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Distribution_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016DSG

For 2016 Manufacturing Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Manufacturing_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016MFG

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FlexPAC Maximizing Data & Insights With MITS

Since 1985, Indianapolis-based FlexPAC has been a leader in packaging and facilities solutions. With 25+ solutions providers and specialists--in areas ranging from automation and package design to cleaning procedures, FlexPAC has resources and experience to solve any challenge. The company’s culture is both value-based and customer-centric, with a commitment to helping customers “gather data, gain insights, reduce costs” driving daily interactions and decisions across the 82-person company.

Data and insights are equally important inside the company as they are when interfacing with customers, especially in terms of mining the rich operational information stored in their ERP system, DDI Inform.

Steve Russell, CFO of FlexPAC explains, “Access to better data and insights doesn’t just help our customers be more successful, it also helps FlexPAC be a more nimble, and ultimately more successful, company.”

Down the road, Steve envisions every member of the company having a dashboard in MITS where they can track the metrics they are accountable for and measure progress towards their own personal goals. FlexPAC has already incorporated the use of MITS into staff meetings, and members are thinking about directed questions that can be answered using MITS. MITS is so easy to use that even some of their most techno-phobic team members have joined on to the MITS adoption train.

To read more about MITS and their customer reviews and case studies, visit the MITS Newsroom.

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Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

For 2016 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Distribution_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016DSG

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Iptor Named to Food Logistics’ Top Software and Technology Providers List

Food Logistics, a publication dedicated to covering the global food supply chain, has named Iptor Supply Chain Systems to its 2016 FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list. Iptor, formerly International Business Systems (IBS), provides supply chain management, planning and logistics software and services.

The FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list serves as a resource guide of software and technology providers whose products and services are critical for companies in the global food and beverage supply chain.

Iptor’s expertise as a distribution software and services provider to the food and beverage industry is proven among distributors, wholesalers and 3PLs across a number of micro-verticals, including Ardo, SKANLOG, Smeding, Everfresh/Total Produce and many others. These customers use Iptor solutions to achieve added control and flexibility, comply with legal and regulatory demands, automate processes and overcome complexity to strengthen their competitive stance.

“The software and technology sector continues to generate new and exciting opportunities for growers, food manufacturers, grocery retailers and the many logistics providers that support them,” notes Lara L. Sowinski, editorial director at Food Logistics. “Today’s cloud-based solutions and mobile connectivity are helping create tools that are more flexible, affordable and responsive, making software and technology even more valuable to those in the global food supply chain.”

Companies on this year’s 2016 FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list will be profiled in the November/December 2016 issue of Food Logistics, as well as online at www.foodlogistics.com.

To learn more, visit Iptor's Newsroom.

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Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

For 2016 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Distribution_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016DSG

For 2016 Manufacturing Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/2016_BSW_Manufacturing_Interactive_Website_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2016MFG

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard.