SSL WinMan proves sound investment for Racal Acoustics

SSL WinMan, a leading supplier of .NET ERP Software solutions for manufacturing and distribution companies that support both lean and traditional methodologies, has delivered its WinMan.NET ERP solution to leading audio communications manufacturer, Racal Acoustics.

SSL WinMan provides ERP systems Racal Acoustics have made audio communication in harsh conditions into an exact science; delivering the innovative solutions that todays professional communicators demand - all the way from lightweight noise-reducing headsets to advanced battlefield telephone networks. An enviable record of having supplied over 100 armed forces and numerous military and professional communications projects since 1910 provides the background to today's innovative equipment development strategy, which draws upon both privately-funded fundamental research and off-the-shelf technology.

Chris Drew is the companys Project Manager and comments on the reason why the company needed to invest in a new IT system. We have had the same green screen system for over 15 years and this was rapidly becoming obsolete. This combined with the changing nature of our business led us to decide to upgrade by investing in a state-of-the art ERP system. Our primary requirements were to find a solution and vendor with a close business fit to ours. We wanted the very latest technology with full internet connectivity and a vendor responsive and flexible enough to really look after us over the coming years.

Racals thorough selection process was facilitated by an external consultant who first identified a range of potential suppliers before eliminating those which didnt fit Racals own business model. The remaining candidates were supplied with an RFP proposal which led to 8 replies of which the strongest 2 were invited to present to the Racal board of Directors.

Drew explains the reasons why SSL was chosen. For us SSL WinMan provided the best fit with our own business model and the solution was one of the very few built from the ground up on the latest Microsoft .Net technology. Wed already decided our requirements could be handled by several different ERP systems so the vendor became the key determining factor. SSL ultimately proved to be the one we believed to offer the best combination of functionality, value for money, flexibility and responsiveness for our changeable business. We needed a long term ERP partner and believe we have that in SSL.

Implementation began in February 2006 and went live, as scheduled on 31st July.