Case Study: Applied Engineering
Technology Focus Drives and Supports Rapid Growth at
Applied Engineering
In the competitive manufacturing
industry, technology separates the best from the rest - driving
everything from job costs to part quality to production speed.
With high-speed machines, multi-pallet rail systems and one-of-a-kind
robotics, Applied Engineering of Yankton, South Dakota is a model
for leveraging technology to automate labor-intensive operations,
reducing costs and shortening cycle times.
The company's lights-out, unattended approach to precision,
low-cost machining operations has paid off, earning it contracts
with major military and commercial companies like Honeywell and
Rockwell Collins.
This focus on innovation extends
beyond its machining operations to its business systems. However,
in 2000, the company struggled with inflexible, cumbersome
manufacturing Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP) software
that created - rather than reduced - inefficiency.
Upgrading was so time-consuming that the company would stay on
older versions to avoid the hassle. Moreover, the vendor's level
of support didn't adequately address Applied Engineering's needs.
Automation with Integrated ERP Software
A contact led Applied Engineering
to M1 by B & GT software,
an application that provides total integration and automation
from quoting through invoicing, specifically for manufacturing
environments. M1 stood out for its ease of use and customization
capabilities.
The company quickly tested M1's customizability by integrating
the software with critical machining systems, including its Flexible
Manufacturing System (FMS) and its tooling inventory system.
Converting to M1, and tying it to the company's systems, took
just a few hours.
"We knew we made the right decision with M1 when we converted
so easily," said Renee Hejna, MIS manager at Applied Engineering. "In
fact, it was the best thing we ever did."
Integration with FMS brings job
specs from M1 to FMS, without any manual intervention. FMS
then uses that information to schedule jobs and produce parts
per specifications. By tying M1 with the company's tooling
inventory system, all receiving and accounting information
automatically feeds from the inventory system back to M1 each
night, eliminating manual data entry.
Beyond these more significant integrations,
the company regularly customizes M1 to accomplish its specific
business objectives - without
having to invest in costly consultants.
"It's been so nice that we can match M1 to our manufacturing
floor, instead of changing our business to fit our software system," Hejna
said. "With M1, you can be creative and make the software fit
your business."
Real-Time Information across the Project Lifecycle
Every Applied Engineering employee
uses M1, and the company takes advantage of nearly all M1 capabilities
to provide real-time information through the lifecycle of its
business: Contact Management, Employee Management, Estimating & Quoting,
Order Management, Job Management, Scheduling, Shop Floor Entry,
Timecard, Inventory, Warehouse Management, Quality/Warranty
Management, Accounts Receivable and Payable, Shipping, Payroll,
General Ledger and RMA Management.
When new employees start, Applied Engineering provides a half-hour
introduction with minimal instructions, which is all new hires
need to understand and begin using the application in their workflows.
With every function integrated in a single system, employees
can see the complete picture of current jobs and plan their schedules
more precisely. Those on the shop floor know which new projects
are coming, inspectors see the queue of parts headed toward inspection,
and anyone can answer customer inquiries about the status of
orders.
Enhancing Customer Satisfaction While Keeping Costs
Down
The ability to plan jobs ensures
that staff work on "the right
jobs, at the right time," ultimately reducing cycle times. That,
along with having the information on hand to respond to customers
immediately, increases Applied Engineering's level of service.
"In our industry we're known for our service and for developing
the newest things," Hejna said. "Customers notice our information
systems and we've gotten praises from them."
Applied Engineering's focus on quality and customers has led
to rapid growth. In the past year, the company doubled its work
force, now employing about 125. In part due to efficiency with
M1, Applied has kept operational costs down. It no longer needs
as much staff to simply enter data into disparate systems. Though
the work force doubled, the company did not have to increase
support staff accordingly.
As the company continues to grow,
Applied can count on Bowen & Groves
to evolve M1's capabilities. Hejna is perhaps most impressed
with Bowen & Groves' level of service and product development.
When an issue came up at the end of a week, Bowen & Groves
had it resolved by Monday. Likewise, when Applied Engineering
suggests improvements, they see them quickly integrated into
M1.
"Bowen & Groves' commitment to the product is huge," Hejna
said. "You don't find a software company where you can say, 'This
needs to be enhanced, and they do it.'"
The M1 by B> ERP software
offers comprehensive modules designed and fully supported to
meet the needs of growing manufacturing businesses.
With more than 500 installed sites around the world and a comprehensive
user group interface ERP Software has never been more affordable
or beneficial.
Full information on the ERP program is available from the website www.bowen-groves.com or
by emailing sales@bowen-groves.com
About Bowen & Groves
Bowen & Groves is setting the standard in Enterprise Resource
Planning software (ERP), for the small to medium manufacturer.
Founded in 1992 Bowen & Groves is a privately owned software
development company operating in the United States of America
, Canada , United Kingdom , Australia and New Zealand . M1 by
B> sets the standard in affordability and ease of use.
Bowen & Groves can be reached at sales@bowen-groves.com or
via their website, www.bowen-groves.com
