Success story \\\ Manufacturing \\\
utilised it with its UNIX-based EFACS system for over 10 years. Again, the move to the latest version of EFACS has added to the benefits and efficiencies already enjoyed, particularly in the amount and accuracy of data that can now be captured. This is especially invaluable for keeping track of so many works orders and providing not just tactical detailed information about a particular job but providing a comprehensive company- wide snapshot of what is happening and where in real time.
In fact, this is one area that both Timpson and Carlisle are keen to develop further because of the additional efficiency savings they foresee it bringing the company. “Margin checks become increasingly important in competitive markets” explains Timpson. “We are now using the improved SFDC within EFACS to compare our real- world margins with projected or estimated margins. This gives us real business
intelligence to identify those jobs that are efficient or those that need value engineering activities to reduce cost or make more productive. It would be fair to say that Harlow already has long since had its EFACS system consistently delivering real-world benefits across the company. Reflecting on this Timpson remarked: “In many ways the very fact we take it so much for granted says a lot about how integral it is to our business. In fact, when you stop to think about it, EFACS impacts not just the day-to-day running of the company but also the strategic direction of the business itself.” He went on to explain: “Every business decision is based on hard factual data and every bit of data comes from EFACS. For example, we are currently in the process of evaluating a new piece of plant equipment and comparing it against past metrics. Those metrics come from EFACS. The new performance data will also be captured and measured by EFACS so EFACS will be a
critical tool for deciding whether we will get the required Return on Investment (ROI).”
Further evidence of the ongoing evolution of Harlow’s use of EFACS is shown by the company’s strategy of revisiting existing processes and how they are handled by EFACS. Timpson again: “As EFACS evolves it offers us opportunities that were not possible in earlier versions. This allows us to assess whether we can improve our processes to capitalise on our new potential and if so, we will do so.” It is little wonder that he once again refers to EFACS as the “brains of the company” before concluding: “Even if one of our CNC machines went down, we’d cope, we’d find a way around it, we’d have options. If for whatever reason EFACS stopped, we simply couldn’t function.” An opinion echoed by Carlisle, “People need the right tool to do the right job. For us, EFACS is that tool.”
www.logisticsit.com
March 2011
MANUFACTURING &LOGISTICS
IT 23
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