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	Aptean Intuitive ERP Enables Contract Manufacturer to Stay Competitive Aptean

Aptean Intuitive ERP Enables Contract Manufacturer to Stay Competitive

Aptean

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
Applicable Functions	Discrete Manufacturing Procurement
Use Cases	Inventory Management Supply Chain Visibility
Services	System Integration
Challenge	San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB), a not-for-profit company providing employment to individuals who are blind, faced a significant challenge when sudden changes in market conditions threatened the loss of as much as 60 percent of their business. This forced them to move quickly to find new distribution channels to reach their customer base. Additionally, to stay competitive, they had an urgent need to reduce order-to-shipping time for their core products. In light of the changing competitive environment, time was of the essence. SALB knew the implementation of an ERP system would help them turn around products and services to customers at the speed they required and keep SALB in the ballgame. Read More
About Customer	San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB) is a not-for-profit company that provides employment to individuals who are blind. The company operates in three states: Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, and has three distinct divisions: The Industries Division, the Retail Stores Division, and the Rehabilitation Division. Currently, there are 350 total employees in the organization. The Industries Division employs over 200 employees in the manufacturing sector of the company. Over 90 percent of all products produced in this division are sold to the United States government. The products produced are diverse, and include an office products line with items such as: mechanical pencils, rollerball pens, highlighters, and Clam Clip® dispensers and refills. In addition, SALB manufactures 8 to 80 gallon oil spill kits and 26 different absorbent products, such as biodegradable cotton and wool pillows, snakes, and pads. SALB also has a sizable textile department that produces retention systems for the U.S. Marines, advanced combat helmet retentions and uniforms for the U.S. Army, uniforms for the U.S. Navy, and tie-down straps for the U.S. Postal Service. In addition to its work with the federal government, SALB produces aerospace insulation blankets for top aerospace companies. The operation is ISO 9001:2000 certified, as well as AS9100 B certified (aerospace), and is the only blind or disabled manufacturer in the U.S. that has obtained both of these distinctions. Read More
Solution	To meet these extreme external challenges, SALB was quick to adopt e-commerce technology for selling goods on the Internet directly to government agencies and private firms. They were also aggressive about implementing an ERP system to manage accounting and manufacturing activities and meet customer demands for fast turnaround. SALB had several requirements for their ERP system. The product had to be easy to use, quick to implement, allow for process reengineering, and integrate their manufacturing and accounting processes so all data was available from one central location. SALB selected Intuitive ERP for three major reasons. First, the product satisfied a need for Microsoft-centric technology. Intuitive ERP is developed with 100 percent Microsoft technology, which allowed SALB to integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft® applications such as Excel, Outlook, Project, and Word. Secondly, the product was user-friendly, which contributed to a rapid implementation and required little training time for users. And lastly, the consulting and technical support teams exhibited a high level of expertise and competency. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)

Applicable Functions

Discrete Manufacturing

Procurement

Use Cases

Inventory Management

Supply Chain Visibility

Services

System Integration

Challenge

San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB), a not-for-profit company providing employment to individuals who are blind, faced a significant challenge when sudden changes in market conditions threatened the loss of as much as 60 percent of their business. This forced them to move quickly to find new distribution channels to reach their customer base. Additionally, to stay competitive, they had an urgent need to reduce order-to-shipping time for their core products. In light of the changing competitive environment, time was of the essence. SALB knew the implementation of an ERP system would help them turn around products and services to customers at the speed they required and keep SALB in the ballgame.

About Customer

San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB) is a not-for-profit company that provides employment to individuals who are blind. The company operates in three states: Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, and has three distinct divisions: The Industries Division, the Retail Stores Division, and the Rehabilitation Division. Currently, there are 350 total employees in the organization. The Industries Division employs over 200 employees in the manufacturing sector of the company. Over 90 percent of all products produced in this division are sold to the United States government. The products produced are diverse, and include an office products line with items such as: mechanical pencils, rollerball pens, highlighters, and Clam Clip® dispensers and refills. In addition, SALB manufactures 8 to 80 gallon oil spill kits and 26 different absorbent products, such as biodegradable cotton and wool pillows, snakes, and pads. SALB also has a sizable textile department that produces retention systems for the U.S. Marines, advanced combat helmet retentions and uniforms for the U.S. Army, uniforms for the U.S. Navy, and tie-down straps for the U.S. Postal Service. In addition to its work with the federal government, SALB produces aerospace insulation blankets for top aerospace companies. The operation is ISO 9001:2000 certified, as well as AS9100 B certified (aerospace), and is the only blind or disabled manufacturer in the U.S. that has obtained both of these distinctions.

Solution

To meet these extreme external challenges, SALB was quick to adopt e-commerce technology for selling goods on the Internet directly to government agencies and private firms. They were also aggressive about implementing an ERP system to manage accounting and manufacturing activities and meet customer demands for fast turnaround. SALB had several requirements for their ERP system. The product had to be easy to use, quick to implement, allow for process reengineering, and integrate their manufacturing and accounting processes so all data was available from one central location. SALB selected Intuitive ERP for three major reasons. First, the product satisfied a need for Microsoft-centric technology. Intuitive ERP is developed with 100 percent Microsoft technology, which allowed SALB to integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft® applications such as Excel, Outlook, Project, and Word. Secondly, the product was user-friendly, which contributed to a rapid implementation and required little training time for users. And lastly, the consulting and technical support teams exhibited a high level of expertise and competency.

Impact #1	SALB saw vast improvements in inventory management, invoicing and management decision-making capabilities as a result of the Intuitive ERP implementation.
Impact #2	Intuitive ERP provided SALB with a disciplined material requirements planning process and shop floor scheduling that have combined to reduce part shortages, increase inventory turns and automate operational activities.
Impact #3	The integrated system also provided the management team with a better view of business activities at a strategic level, as well as for daily operations.

Impact #1

SALB saw vast improvements in inventory management, invoicing and management decision-making capabilities as a result of the Intuitive ERP implementation.

Impact #2

Intuitive ERP provided SALB with a disciplined material requirements planning process and shop floor scheduling that have combined to reduce part shortages, increase inventory turns and automate operational activities.

Impact #3

The integrated system also provided the management team with a better view of business activities at a strategic level, as well as for daily operations.

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Overview

Aptean Intuitive ERP Enables Contract Manufacturer to Stay Competitive

Operational Impact