Lister Petter running better on Sage ERP

Industrial engines and generator sets manufacturer Lister Petter says it’s looking forward to improved efficiency and productivity in manufacturing and distribution, as well as streamlined financials and reduced IT costs following implementation of a Sage Line 500 system. Worth more than £300,000, the new system replaces an ageing Baan ERP system, and Phase One has been implemented at Lister Petter’s HQ in Dursley, Gloucestershire, before being rolled out to its US, French and Indian subsidiaries. The platform is an IBM x445 server running Microsoft SQL, with disaster recovery technology, and is being implemented by Sage partner CPiO. It will host more than 100 users, managing over 500 customers and £50 million in product sales per annum. Group managing director Bryan Draper says: “Our existing ERP system was too complex and expensive to run. We recognised that Sage Line 500 would provide us with the tools we needed to grow the business and at the same time would be simple to use for all our users, both in the UK and internationally.” CPiO’s consultants provided implementation consultancy, project management and education. In addition, They are now helping Lister Petter to manage the system transition, also developing new reporting and implementing the business intelligence tools. Says Draper: “We set CPiO some pretty tough milestones to meet in the initial implementation of the system. Not only did we have a complete hardware and system change; we had all our staff trained and all the file conversions done in seven weeks. Today, nine weeks later we have been operating the system for a fortnight with no anticipated glitches and no material issues.” Lister Petter specialises in advanced diesel and gas-powered engines, generator sets, pump and welding sets for the marine, military, agriculture, construction, telecoms and utility markets.