SPG
Seals Packings & Gaskets Ltd (SPG), formed in 1971,
is a dynamic market leader in the design, manufacture and supply of
essential sealing and insulation products. SPG's hallmark is
quality. From product range and customer service to design
services, logistics and supply systems, SPG is entirely focused on
providing the customer with excellence in all that it
does.
Changing with the times
Jan Morris, Director, begins by explaining how changing business
requirements had pushed SPG's existing system to its limits. "We'd
previously been using a bespoke solution called 'Multipac'. It
covered both manufacturing and accounting,
but as two separate systems - and we had been using it for at least
20 years. As you can imagine, over the years our business
requirements changed significantly.
We needed improved production and distribution planning,
especially since acquiring SPG Distribution as a subsidiary, and we
required greater speed and capacity. We wanted to take advantage of
new technologies that were available and restore user confidence by
choosing a reliable solution with good help systems."
Jan says, "Business development was also on my mind so analysis
and integration were important factors in the decision too."
Jan began her search for a solution by contacting companies she
had researched on the internet. She also attended IT Showcase
exhibitions which is where she discovered Access, whose Supply
Chain solution "offered us answers to all our requirements in terms
of functionality, performance, ease of use, integration and
cost.
We invited three companies in total to demonstrate their
solutions. Myself and the managing director were jointly
responsible for the final decision - we met with Access in March
and had made a decision by June so the process was relatively
quick."
"We were impressed with everything about the company
and the solution offered good value for money." Jan Morris
Director
For SPG, integration between the manufacturing and accounts
facets of the business was essential. Access Supply Chain solutions
offer fully integrated 'back office'
financials that ensure information flows seamlessly and
effortlessly from one part of a business operation to another.
These modules are extremely powerful in their own right, providing
fast, intuitive data entry and virtually unlimited drill-down and
analysis.
"The system is very user friendly and Windows based which is a
plus as we were familiar with the layout and terminology," Jan
explains. "We also liked the fact that the manufacturing aspect
fitted in to the accounts modules. The Access consultants we were
working with were very positive and open which gave us confidence
in the support - we were conscious it would be critical because we
were not too computer literate. In fact we were impressed with
everything about the company and the solution offered good value
for money."
Implementing the solution
"We followed the 10-step implementation plan to help
keep us on track with the project," Jan explains. "We started
implementing the system in June and went live at the beginning of
November - so the transition period was just over five months."
Revealing the benefits
SPG has used its Access Supply Chain solution to implement some
radical business process changes, but feels that the system still
has much to offer. "The learning curve is on-going and there is
still so much we haven't touched on within the system's
capabilities," says Jan.
"For the foreseeable future, we are looking forward to utilising
it even more as we discover what else we can get out of it."
"The solution has enabled numerous and wide-ranging improvements
including: overall functionality, performance, reliability, ease of
use and integration. We have been able to grow the business, make
improvements in efficiency, produce better management reporting and
save money too!"
Jan continues, "Our Access Supply Chain solution has helped SPG
to become very competitive in the market place and enabled us to
increase our profitability.
The integration that the solution offers has to be our favourite
aspect, as we were without this functionality for so long. It's now
so easy to get information from anywhere within the system as the
processes follow on from each other and are very intuitive."
Jan concludes, "I can recommend Access solutions and services to anyone -
and I have to say the support is BRILLIANT."
Benefits
- Fully integrated manufacturing and accounts facets of
software
- Windows based - offers familiar and user-friendly layout
- Good value solution answered all functionality needs
- Aided competitiveness in marketplace and increased
profitability
Like many things, doing the best job relies on having the right tools. But how can you be sure what your team’s got what it needs? This guide takes you through what’s on offer so that you can help everyone from FC to credit controller work as one towards your operational goals.
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