Upgraded ERP signals improved efficiency for Oliver Valves

IT manager Kevin White explains that the new system will soon allow Oliver customers to input orders directly onto the system via a secure portal on the company's recently launched website. "The APS [advanced planning and scheduling] system within our ERP means that estimated delivery times can be calculated almost instantaneously," says White. "In the old days, once we received an order we had to go through a process of breaking down the product into component form before finding out when, where and how many of each item was available. The process could take a couple of days," he adds. White explains that Syteline's APS not only takes over this function, but also allows HR to anticipate periods when manpower will be needed on particular projects. "It helps us identify possible bottlenecks in our processes long before they happen," he says. He also believes that time savings will go beyond production itself, to include Oliver's external sales departments. "Because of the way Syteline functions, it can take information from our CRM system, Maximiser. Syteline allows our external salesmen to access real-time information, which means they can follow up any leads the same day."