Business is turning into ever extra related and built-in – fuelled primarily by buyer demand which in flip is driving speedy, seismic developments in software, programs and know-how. If you’re in search of a long-term ERP/MRP software companion that ticks all the appropriate packing containers when it comes to data, infrastructure, flexibility and expertise, you need to undoubtedly take into account including Midlands-based Exel Computer Systems to your shortlist. Dave Tudor studies.
Not all ERP/MRP programs are created equally – however to be truthful, it’s all about satisfying a necessity. Accounting software apart, there are nonetheless a considerable variety of manufacturing firms not utilizing software programs in any respect, preferring as a substitute to make use of extra ‘handbook’ strategies which inevitably means spreadsheets.
The ‘if it isn’t broke don’t repair it’ philosophy probably applies right here, however in my view, virtually all manufacturing firms would profit considerably from investing in ERP/MRP/manufacturing management/accounting software to connect all of the constituent parts of the enterprise collectively: gross sales orders, quotations, buying, inventory management, manufacturing management, scheduling, despatch – and the whole lot in between. Who doesn’t need to function extra effectively?
Exel began life manner again in 1985. Back then, pc programs have been predominantly constructed on mainframe structure, however the creation of the non-public pc (PC) fairly actually modified the whole lot: “Our founder, Dr John Ellis, who sadly handed away lately, noticed a spot within the market as private computer systems gained traction,” explains Exel Computer Systems’ managing director, Rue Dilhe.
“From day one, John targeted on offering software options to manufacturing firms – a philosophy that is still the cornerstone of our enterprise immediately. In the early days, capability planning was one of many greatest complications producers confronted in order that was our fundamental focus, however through the years, as our prospects have developed, so have we. EFACS E/8 is an all-encompassing full-blown ERP/MRP platform that we’re capable of customise to go well with a buyer’s particular utility. It’s 100% developed and supported in-house.”
Tailored to perfection
In phrases of its structure, I’m struggling to seek out something that EFACS E/8 doesn’t cowl. It interfaces with handheld, pill and wall-mounted gadgets (shopfloor standing screens and dashboards for instance) and contains a complete host of modules that span all operational elements of a enterprise: accounting, gross sales order processing, enquiries, inventory management, manufacturing scheduling, discipline service, doc management, e-commerce, shopfloor information assortment and buyer relationship administration (CRM) – it’s all there.
“There’s a set of core modules that cowl the basic wants of most manufacturing companies that we provide as commonplace, however the if purchasers want extra performance, we are able to merely change these extra modules on as required,” Mr Dilhe advises. “We’re very thorough in evaluating precisely what a buyer wants proper from the beginning so the ultimate package deal we provide can be tailor-made accordingly. Effectively, each sale is completely different.
“Also,” he continues, “there’s loads of scope for growing new modules. Sometimes prospects will strategy us with an concept to enhance the software and if we expect others will profit we’re blissful to speculate time and assets in it. We additionally get entangled with bespoke, one-off tasks for patrons that want one thing extremely particular and distinctive to them. We’re completely versatile in that regard.”
Manufacturing firms are sometimes reluctant to vary their accounting software, preferring as a substitute to stay with what they know and are conversant in. Most ERP/MRP builders supply an accounting module, however most of the time, the take-up is considerably restrained.
With Exel, it’s the polar reverse: “I’d say that 99% of our buyer base use the accounting module included with EFACS,” Mr Dilhe reveals. “That’s not shocking. It’s a really complete package deal that features nominal, gross sales and buy ledgers in addition to money guide, fastened property, and product and job costing.
“The most essential half nevertheless is that it’s absolutely built-in and operationally seamless with the EFACS platform. Customers don’t have to fret about their accounting software releasing an replace and it not being suitable with their MRP system as a result of with us, it’s all a part of the identical software. Compatibility is assured. It simply works. Everything we do is all about growing environment friendly workflows.”
Another actually modern side of the EFACS E/8 ERP/MRP platform is the Customisation Toolkit – a module that allows customers to fantastic tune the software for their very own specific wants. “We can deal with this on behalf of purchasers however our most popular route is to coach a small group of individuals inside a buyer’s organisation to change into superusers,” Mr Dilhe explains.
“The toolkit permits prospects to customize the software – and there are a selection of causes for wanting to do this. It could also be to generate a particular report, change display screen codecs or automate sure processes – the probabilities are countless It’s a helpful characteristic that lots of our purchasers actually like.”
Happy employees, blissful prospects
With 98 workers and a turnover in extra of £10 million, Exel is a considerable enterprise in each respect – most likely one of many greatest ERP/MRP resolution suppliers within the UK actually. A whopping 45 members of employees throughout six groups are employed in software growth roles – a transparent indication that EFACS E/8 is continually evolving and bettering.
And it have to be doing one thing proper – lots of its purchasers have been prospects for greater than 20 years and turnover of employees is extraordinarily low. Rue Dilhe is a veteran of 27 years.
Another long-term worker with 30 years below his belt is gross sales and advertising and marketing supervisor Jonathan Orme. He believes that the depth of information and expertise at Exel is a differentiating issue within the market.
“At the top of the day, arguably, software is software,” he says. “The actual talent nevertheless is within the implementation and actually understanding and fulfilling the shopper’s wants and necessities. Our popularity through the years has been constructed on the standard of our software, our exemplary ranges of service and assist and maybe most significantly the constructive affect the software has had in bettering effectivity and profitability. We prefer to construct longstanding relationships with our purchasers.”
EFACS E/8 might be run both within the Cloud or on an area server, and no matter your platform of alternative, the software is accessed through an internet browser. It operates on a variety of working programs and main databases and integrates and communicates seamlessly with 3rd get together programs (your organization web site for instance for on-line gross sales or reserving service visits) through business commonplace protocols.
The transfer over to Cloud operations is gathering momentum and it’ll quickly be the norm. The benefits are effectively documented however the migration over will take time. Jonathan Orme says most of Exel’s purchasers are nonetheless utilizing a devoted server ({hardware} or digital) to host EFACS, however the pattern is shifting.
“Many manufacturing firms merely don’t have IT employees to take care of servers so it is sensible to outsource that side out to a 3rd get together firm like Exel who can take accountability for it. Plus, customers have the reassurance that they’ll all the time be utilizing the freshest model of the software they usually don’t have to fret about backups and safety. It’s one thing we’re blissful to handle.”
Customer range
Although manufacturing is on the coronary heart of Exel Computer Systems’ 500 sturdy buyer base, its range inside the sector is notable. Many companies are considerably reluctant to incorporate particulars of their prospects within the public area, however not Exel as a fast perusal round its web site reveals.
In truth, there aren’t any fewer than 38 case research accessible spanning a various vary of firms and specialities. How about Mettis Aerospace, a number one designer, producer and assembler of precision solid and machined parts; or CBE+ an engineering firm specialising in electroless metallic plating, gear slicing and lab companies?
Or Siderise – a producer of insulation merchandise; or maybe Gen 2 Carbon which operates the world’s largest carbon fibre recycling plant. Then there’s Orbital Fabrications, a stainless-steel welding and meeting specialist; and Safestyle home windows and doorways. MRT Castings in Andover and Mini Gears in Stockport are additionally on the record of glad customers. Manufacturing does certainly are available a wide range of sizes and shapes.
“Although our prospects are primarily UK-centric, EFACS software is presently being utilized in 39 international locations worldwide,” Mr Dilhe provides. “The undeniable fact that it’s browser oriented and integrates so effectively with third get together programs, means it’s very accessible.”
All a part of the service
About 10 years in the past, Exel developed a set of modules (Eagle Field Service) tailor-made to go well with service firms. Today, this nonetheless kinds a part of the EFACS E/8 system, and may combine with it, nevertheless it’s designed to function autonomously if required. As Rue Dilhe reveals, the event of this product was solely buyer pushed.
“When we first went out to market, discipline service firms, fairly understandably, didn’t want the manufacturing parts of our software so we developed a separate module, Eagle Field Service software, that might be run as a standalone product if required,” he explains.
“But issues have modified: these days service firms have a tendency to want different performance akin to inventory management for spares and CRM so that they buy different modules as effectively. From our perspective, it’s all a part of the identical software platform and only a package deal of modules in a complete suite of modules – it’s simply that Eagle is branded and licenced in a different way and targets a probably completely different viewers.”
Like all firms Exel was pressured to adapt to the pandemic and shortly moved all of its employees to working from house. The enterprise is now capable of present all of its gross sales, consulting and assist companies remotely and has applied programs with out visiting web site when vital.
Exel Computer Systems
www.exel.co.uk
https://www.pesmedia.com/exel-computer-systems-10022022
