MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS A True story
In August Fastbolt Distributors (UK) Ltd appointed Amanda True to the board of directors after 14 years with the company. Will Lowry took the opportunity to visit the Milton Keynes based company to find out how Amanda progressed from management trainee to IT director.
A
manda True joined Fastbolt straight from University in 1997 as a management trainee, after achieving a first class BA Hons in Mathematics and Management Studies. Her original role was to gain experience in
the different departments to enable her to get an overview of the company, with the aim to recommend how improvements could be made. It was an experience that she says still helps in her role
today. “Because of the knowledge I obtained whilst working in the different departments, and understanding how they are organised, I can improve how they work together to make processes more efficient.” After spending a year working across the company Amanda was appointed as IT manager, with a primary responsibility to evaluate the risks of established computer systems moving into the year 2000, the so-called Millennium bug. “There was apprehension whether the German system and UK
system would be year 2000 compatible,” explains Amanda. “At this point we started looking at a new computer system and I was appointed as the key contact to manage its implementation.” Amanda worked with the logistics director to implement the
new SAP system across both UK and German offices, organising and liaising with the provider of the customised software. “We went live in the UK in November 1999 and in Germany in April 2000. I can remember the date we went live in the UK, it was Monday 22nd
November and I woke up with a sick feeling in
the pit of my stomach,” laughs Amanda. “Whilst it was worrying what might happen, it was also exciting. We had done a lot of preparation and although there were going to be three to six months of hard work, we knew it would be worth it.” Looking back would Amanda change anything? “In hindsight
we probably tried to make the SAP system too similar to the old system, and it would have been better to have started with
a clean slate and seen what we could do better,” says Amanda. “However, any problems we did have were quickly resolved and I think it is the best decision we made, especially using the SAP system.” The SAP system gave Fastbolt a lot of opportunities to improve
processes and the company’s overall efficiency. Before the installation the UK and German offices used different systems, making it difficult to exchange data. The SAP system enables both offices to view each other’s inventory and to share an extensive range of other information. “From a stock management point of view it enables us to see
the stock in both offices,” highlights Amanda. “This gives us the opportunity to accurately predict what we are going to need in the future. We benefit from economies of scale combining the requirements of both companies to a consolidated purchase order. That enhances our purchasing power, ensures more effective use of our working capital and, most importantly, higher levels of availability and customer satisfaction.” Amanda continues: “We can also easily view customer history
and a range of other transactional information. Those capabilities in turn provide the basis for a stronger, more effective relationship with our customers.” It is clear that Amanda has a real passion for her role, and her natural curiosity has enabled her to expand her experience and knowledge. “I love to know how things work. When the installation company were setting up the SAP system they spent a lot of time showing me how things were customised, and what they were doing. Because I saw the background work and know how the system has been set up, I am able to confidently and accurately make changes to the system.” Since the installation in 2000 Amanda has managed
the system and uses the knowledge she obtained from the installation process to customise the SAP system and
“ I love to know how things work. When the installation company were setting up the SAP system they spent a lot of time showing me how things were customised, and what they were doing. Because I saw the background work and know how the system has been set up, I am able to confidently and accurately make changes to the system.”
132 Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 72 November 2011
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