FROM GUARDIAN SOFTWARE SYSTEMS INC.–


A Few Months After Implementation of ERP System, German Investment Caster AAT Considers Additional Potential


A few months after implementing


an enterprise resource planning system (ERP) from Guardian Software Systems Inc., German investment caster AAT is already looking at additional ways to use the system. AAT is a leading manufacturer of investment


precision castings for the


power generation and transportation in- dustries. Their high-temperature super alloy products enable higher efficiency and cleaner power generation. AAT’s customers include some of the leading gas turbine OEMs and service companies across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. AAT’s operations and com-


pany headquarters are located in Bayreuth, Germany, approximate- ly 90 km north of Nurnberg. AAT Chief Information Of-


ficer Michael Cilento indicated implementation of the ERP sys- tem began in November 2011, and went live in April 2012. “We had investigated a number of foundry-specific enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems as well as au- tomotive-specific systems. Guardian best fulfilled our requirements in terms of time frame and cost effectiveness of implementation, specifications match- up, cost tracking capabilities, and most importantly the flexible and extensive re- porting capabilities,” he said. “The other ERP packages we evalu- ated were generally automotive based and would have required extensive modi- fications to meet the specific demands of a foundry,” Cilento commented. “For example, many of the foundry-oriented reports provided by the Guardian Found- ry System would have required costly modifications with the more generalized automotive-based ERP systems.” “We conducted a preliminary screen based on our technical issues and opera-


tional requirements, then assessed those providers who could meet our unique re- quirements.” A key step in the decision-making process was the ability to visit a foundry where the system had been in operation for several years to observe how it was used is an actual production environment. Another key to success, Cilento not- ed, was the availability of resources and training during the implementation pro- cess.


“Given this was the first install of a comprehensive ERP system for many


Screen” interface to German eased the transition to the new system for the shop floor workers. “Employees were informed


regu-


larly throughout the implementation and shown how the system would automate and simplify many of their day-to-day and repetitive tasks. The buy-in was im- mediate and there was very little appre- hension or push-back. “The acceptance by the employees


“We see the potential the system offers AAT and plan to employ features that were out of scope during the initial implementation.”


AAT personnel, Guardian was incredibly helpful in structuring our data and orga- nizing our processes to ensure successful implementation. They provided several alternatives to handle different scenarios. They guided us, step by step, which alle- viated any apprehension or fear of failure during the transition period.” AAT had pre-installation training on- site, supplemented with daily phone cor- respondence for the past several months, using Skype to ensure a cost-effective method of communication. “Being seven time zones ahead, Guardian adjusted their primary support hours to overlap much of our day, without additional support cost.” Cilento said.


He indicated the “go live” date was


set for April 1st, 2012, based on the start of the new quarter,but the system had been installed and running at of late De- cember 2011.


Cilento explained little employee preparation was necessary. The “Touch


was very high with few issues. Shop floor employees with limited computer exper- tise learned to use the system quickly. Employees have proposed sev- eral recommendations for im- provements, and Guardian has been very efficient implement- ing them,” he continued. Although AAT is just a few months into the program, Cast- ing


Project Niles noted the system has been


instrumental in calculating profit and loss on a timely basis. “We see the potential the system


offers AAT and plan to employ features that were out of scope during the initial implementation. For example, we have established a plan to begin using the quality module within six months. We will use the certification module to al- low certifications to print at the time of shipment. There are extensive scheduling tools that we have yet to use, such as cast- ing campaigns, which help by organizing pours based on alloy and crucible types. We plan to implement a number of these tools within one year.” AAT is also taking advantage of the


ability to customize features within the Guardian Foundry System that will as- sist in performing day-to-day operations. “AAT is aware of the potential of the sys- tem and its current and future benefits. We look forward to using the system to its full extent,” Niles concluded.


Manager Wendel


16


August 2012


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