EFACS improves connectivity for Stainless Steel Fasteners

Stainless Steel Fasteners (SSF) is enjoying a growing range of benefits since its successful implementation of Exel Computer Systems EFACS ERP solution. Increased visibility, connectivity and control are reportedly among the earliest benefits for the 9m turnover manufacturer.

With a blend of traditional manufacturing machinery and the very latest CNC and computer technology, SSF is a 100% Make to Order manufacturer with a potential range of product permutations in excess of 20 million. Order sizes range from one-offs to batches of over 10,000 with multiple call offs but every order requires absolute accuracy at every stage, from order processing through to final manufacturing and Q&A testing. Speed and flexibility are also essential as many products can be manufactured in a number of different ways. The companys previous combination of disparate accounting, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems plus a range of specialist spreadsheets didnt provide the visibility, control and flexibility the company needed so SSF decided to invest in EFACS which was already successfully being used elsewhere in the group.

Success lay in the accurate mapping of the companys business processes with EFACS capabilities and especially the development of a product configurator which could reduce a process that could take up to half a day to an 8 question, 9 mouse click exercise that takes only 20 seconds. Rigorous testing and development was carried out and the company went successfully live with no backlog on the system at all.

From the outset, we found all the material control data to be totally accurate and providing the variable route flexibility we needed in order to deliver the quality and flexibility required by our customers, commented Matthew Tongue, SSFs Resource Manager. Managing Director Stephen Wilkinson added that additional benefits were realised as the system accumulated historic data, which has led to general efficiency gains in both Sales and Purchasing. The integrated CRM benefits of EFACS have brought to light previously invisible buying patterns and trends which again further assist the companys strategic purchasing capabilities.

Looking to the future, Wilkinson and Tongue see further benefits to be had from a deeper use of EFACS existing functionality; especially in the area of CRM. Machine timings and routings may well be added into wider MRP/ERP considerations in addition to further streamlining of Export documentation where EFACS E/8 has already saved one week per month.