Success Stories

Business Challenge

Back in 1999, dds Automated Machinery Design Inc. was looking for an ERP and MRP solution that would help them grow their business.

Engineering was frustrated that they had to manually enter a Bill of Materials (BOM) into Excel for purchasing after it had already been entered into SolidWorks for the project. This double entry was tedious, not cost effective, and created potential for errors.

Finding spare parts was also frustrating as staff had to go through several project lists to locate the part they required. Management needed a solution that could automatically import BOMs from their CAD software and streamline all data entry processing.

Solution

After learning about Total ETO ERP and MRP from another company that had great success with it, dds realized that it was the best solution for them. They knew the solution would minimize their man hours spent reentering a BOM, and looking up spare parts and project costs, which would in turn save them on labor costs.  With one centralized database, staff have the same data to use and report on.

Since implementing Total ETO in 1999, dds has been very happy with the success they have achieved, experiencing a very good return on investment.

Dynamic Benefits and Results

Cost Savings

It was very important to dds to have one database in which data can be entered. The one point entry eliminates duplication and clerical mistakes, and ensures that data is pure and accurate.

More man hours are saved when projects are similar and staff can copy parts of one project into another. “Reusing prior designs is particularly important to estimators and can save staff hours of work when quoting future projects”, states Amar Singh. The one point of data entry and easy accessibility to historical information has led to many cost savings.

Seamless integration with SolidWork

With Total ETO’s integration with SolidWorks, dds can link BOMs to specific projects and adjust them as the designs change, even after their release to purchasing and manufacturing.  For Amar Singh, being able to import his electrical BOM of a project from SolidWorks was a key selling point when selecting Total ETO.

Custom Reports

Darren McCreedy, President of dds, likes the rapid access he has to all the reports essential to him as a Manager. With over 200 reports provided in the central reporting tool, he uses the Spare Parts Report, Purchasing Reports, and Packing Slips report on a daily basis.

The customizable reports enable dds departments to configure any report to their specific departments requirements, and new reports can be created as required.

Spare part tracking

A big benefit of Total ETO is the ability to track parts in real time. dds can now look up a spare part by its part number and know in real time where the part is located, when it will come in and if it has been allocated already. Being able to access real time data is beneficial for time and cost savings.

Better estimates using historical data

Total ETO recognizes the importance and value of accessing and reusing historical data and provides templates and search wizards that benefit all departments at dds.

Engineers can match similar traits to reuse prior designs, and repurpose previous BOMs.  Manufacturing uses past job commentaries to highlight production opportunities, and Management reduces risk when establishing selling prices and target margins.

All of this saves dds valuable staff hours when designing, quoting, and purchasing for projects.