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ISM Water Gremlin Case Presentation
ISM Water Gremlin Case Presentation
Backed with over 50 years of experience, and the 2005 acquisition of Okabe LTD., Water Gremlin Company has the global resources to provide you with the best in battery terminal parts and service.
With reference to this case, Scott Schulz spearheaded the nine months of Research & Assessment to choose new (ERP)Enterprise Resource Planning Software for his Incumbent Company Water Gremlin.
What is ERP.
Facilitates company-wide integrated information systems, covering all functional areas. Performs core Corporate activities and increases customer service augmenting Corporate Image
Delays in manufacturing & gathering financial data. The old system required one to wait till end of month books closing to know financial standing.
Some department preferred creating own spreadsheet rather than entering data in ERP, reason being there was no place to enter the same on the system or a pseudo system was developed by the employees to bypass the current ERP. The ERP has been updated over the years with codes written by people who were not associated with Water Gremlin anymore. The result was a system that was cobbled with pieces of software that doesnt necessary integrate well with each other.
Hundreds of ERPs available in the market with individual strengths and weakness. Proper due diligence was essential.
Considering the strategic nature of the selection and the budgetary commitments required. Management buy in was essential.
Need to convince managers of the company that the new system would make companys process more efficient Consensus was essential.
An unsuitable solution selected would have posed serious repercussion to both Water Gremlin and Scott Schulz. Caution was essential.
Internal research at Water Gremlin would help outline what each department needed.
A needs assessment using a software would help narrow down the ERP product choices.
Hiring a consultant would provide an objective guide through out the selection process.
Technology
Vendor
Support
Costs
Schulz interviewed four consultants familiar with ERP software and manufacturing process. Evaluation was based on: 1. Experience. 2. Capabilities. 3. Personality. Selected Minnesota Technologys consulting practice for their lean (centered on preserving value with less work) manufacturing philosophy. The central theme was elimination of waste.
SoftSelect
The software assess the ERP selection from a more strategic angle through use of surveys. Addresses macro level issues as opposed to questions about when and where certain fields shouls appear. Outcome: Printout showing not only options of which softwares could work but also a short explanation of why each system matched with companys criteria.
The Selection.
Winner: Epicor Software Corporation Winning Criterias: Schulz, Connor and Kent Myrhman (field consultants at Minnesota Technology) worked extensively on the demonstration given by the suppliers evaluating them on: 1. Ease of use Do I have to go through multiple screens for doing a task. 2. Service and dependability of the vendor training provided or not, after sales support, likelihood of the vendor being getting acquired by another firm etc. 3. Best match off the shelf The selected system should serve the purpose with off the shelf features leaving minimal room for customization, thereby saving cost, time and efforts. Cost: Selection process and consulting fees approx $10,000 + $100,000 for cost of the selected system.
Timelines: 9 months for research, consultations and demonstrations + 10 months for implementation and training
Critical Success Factors. The firm & optimistic approach of the Management - on adapting the ERP product driven methodologies
- on customization - on monetary commitments
The dedicated Team. Good Training Strict adherence to the Project schedules Right technical infra-structure & Change Management
approach.
Seek external help if required in the form of consultant to bring objectivity to the selection. Keep users engaged at all levels of selection and implementation. Dont let vendors impact your selection decisions. Have collaborative approach, manage change in the organisation. Select product off the Shelf requiring minimum customisation to serve your