CAD to ERP means faster innovation

Faster and more accurate estimating and quoting, plus automatic data entry for production are among key improvements expected by Oxford-based vehicle tail lifts manufacturer Del Equipment UK. The company is buying a Syspro ERP system from McGuffie Brunton, which, with assistance from partner Pulse Technology, will provide seamless CAD to ERP interchange for the purpose. Del engineering manager Steve Carew-Gibson says it will solve a key management issue that many design- and innovation-orientated manufacturers face. To date, Del has had to manually generate its BoM (bill of material) data from 2D drawings and 3D model configurations. But with the new Pulse PLM (product life cycle management) functionality providing integration between its SolidWorks CAD and Syspro ERP, all that will change. Says Carew-Gibson: “The CAD/ERP integration path will enable us to look at our SolidWorks CAD data and individually transfer it into Syspro for company-wide use. It will give us greater accuracy of BoM information and will avoid having to manually check and re-key in data, especially SolidWorks model configuration and revision level data.”