As easy as one, two, three

When several manufacturing companies in entirely different industries, and with dissimilar business and production issues, all make the same software choice, it's time to sit up and take notice. Particularly when that software concerns extended ERP, and each says it has been comfortably able to integrate the suite with existing and/or subsequent project software. And even more so when we learn that the software choice involved isn't quite what you might expect – certainly not from any of the big boys. So it is with bespoke batteries producer Creasefield, canopies manufacturer C&J Marine, precision zinc die castings and assemblies firm FisherCast UK, and carbon fibre composites specialist Reverie. Each selected the 123insight subscription-based ERP system. Each has seen substantial and sustainable growth since going live. Each believes it has made hefty savings over the conventional alternative of an on-premise, costs-plus ERP solution. And, most importantly, all have grown their systems to support additional functionality, but without recourse to system developer 123 Insight and without incurring significant development or integration costs. Take Ilminster, Somerset-based Creasefield. Managing director Jason Holt explains that the company had been considering upgrading its existing system – which he describes as stripped down MRP – but was looking for something else after it had been quoted tens of thousands of pounds for the privilege. Having gone through 123 Insight's evaluation workshop process, he took the plunge, attended the training course and went live across most departments within a few weeks. "One of the refreshing changes was that we could have access to all of the modules without continually bolting on additional costs. It gave us all the functionality that we could grow into, which was a huge factor in the decision-making process," states Holt. And he explains that, while the company initially stopped short of rolling the system out on the shopfloor, it now intends to add terminals there to allow staff to use SFDC. 123insight's SDK (software development kit) will be the enabler, and Holt knows it will work, having already implemented not only 123insight's CRM (having already aborted a competitor system) but also Access Dimensions accounts, with the SDK providing the tools. That's the key to growing with this system, according to Chichester, West Sussex-based C&J Marine. Operations manager Wayne Strickland tells a now familiar story of turning down conventional ERP systems in the £50,000 plus £10,000 per annum support range, in favour of 123insight's low-cost yet comprehensive module coverage. In his case that includes CRM and 123insight's Equipment Register (a free-format sub-database that enables firms to track equipment and target marketing). However, most importantly, he points to the system's extendibility, via the SDK, which C&J used to integrate with third party SFDC, accounts and e-commerce. Strickland says the SDK has been pivotal in enabling stable data transfer between systems without risk of corrupting the 123insight SQL database. "In some cases [other software firms] said, 'You can't link a website directly to your database: there needs to be a database or software to take the information from one system to another'. But with 123insight we can involve a third party web developer that can take information in and out of the system directly." Dave Ashford, production manager at Welshpool-based FisherCast, agrees. Having successfully implemented 123insight as its core ERP system across all departments, he reports using the SDK to effect integration – for example, with its automated production weigh scales. That was critical for this company, which has to contend with fluctuating zinc prices. Customers, he explains, often order tens of thousands of components weighing less than half a gram each, so FisherCast needed the system to accurately reflect material consumption on the fly. Now operators simply scan works order barcodes and the quantities for each line item are displayed. As components are placed into clients' packaging, an on-screen counter shows the number in real time, based on weight, and updates 123insight immediately on completion. The CRM module then closes the loop, updating customers as prices change. "We've been able to link costs to customers so that we can change pricing automatically, where relevant, as the raw material cost changes." And, if you need any more confirmation of this system's ability to support growth, look no further than Reverie, which managing director Simon Farren says is on track to double its turnover within three years. For him, part of achieving that involves using 123insight's SDK to integrate its new e-commerce solution, allowing customers to place orders indirectly on to the system, while the latter also automatically populates the site with its information and images. For him it was a similar story when Reverie migrated to Access Dimensions accounts. "Due to the integration between the two products, we could view customer files and see immediately current and future orders, account information, etc, from both systems... Also, we know that there will be further integration in the next version [of 123insight], which goes further to cement my decision." But the last word goes to Creasfield's Holt: "A few years back, we reassessed all of our systems, including 123insight, to make sure that we were aligning ourselves with the right vendors. We came to the same conclusion – that 123insight was the best fit for our business. Moving forward with Version 9 will help develop the way we record production data and inspection records. The advanced serial number tracking will be a massive improvement for us. 123insight is a great way of spending money on your business. It's cost effective, reliable and provides a great breadth of functionality." The 123 Insight way Guy Amoroso, managing director of 123 Insight, believes that there is no place for ERP systems that historically have cost manufacturers vast amounts of money – along with blood, sweat and tears. That's why the company set about delivering a radical alternative, more than a decade ago, based on an easy, pay-as-you-go subscription method of buying into, implementing, using and growing ERP. Turning that idea into reality, he says, was about making the entire system, and its associated methodologies, simple and transparent at every level. Sounds unlikely? Well, for the now hundreds of manufacturers who wanted something different, liked what they saw and stuck with it, 123insight has been very real and very successful. What's more, all appear to believe they won hands down, compared with going the conventional ERP route. The vast majority say they have saved significant sums of money, yet gained all the benefits of integrated, extended ERP. And they have been able to grow and evolve their systems in step with business requirements. Adding licences and extra capability is easy – as is linking to third party systems, using 123insight's SDK, which Amoroso describes as ensuring that there is "never a blind alley". How do you get started? Amoroso explains that interested manufacturers are invited to a free two-and-a-half hour evaluation workshop. If what they hear doesn't suit them, they walk away. But if, as most find, it's precisely what they always wanted but didn't believe existed, they put their project teams on training courses at £3,000 per person for six days, or £500 per day. Even at this stage, money doesn't change hands unless and until they move on to system implementation. "When customers register to use the system, it's just a low monthly fee, without any binding contract," explains Amoroso. "And payments are only for licences actually in use. So during the early days of implementation that might only be a few." What about the price of that SDK? Amoroso explains that you're looking at £100 per month all-up. "Some manufacturers use it to link in their websites, but if they want to work with Apple or Android devices – for stock control purposes, for example – the SDK supports those, too. And if we come across something we haven't done before, we'll do that, too." Now that is almost too good to be true. Almost.