Leading Steel Stockholder and Profiler Chooses Epicor Vantage
Brown McFarlane Ltd to Replace Steel Industry System as Global Business Expands
IRVINE, Calif., US and BRACKNELL, Berkshire, UK (June 19, 2006) – Brown McFarlane, one of the UK’s largest Carbon Steel Plate processors and distributors, has selected the Epicor Vantage manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite from Epicor Software Corporation (NASDAQ: EPIC) to replace its aging software system. Vantage, built on a 100% service-oriented architecture (SOA), beat Microsoft Navision in an extensive two-month selection process based on its impressive ‘out-of-the-box’ capability, proven suitability for make-to-order (MTO) manufacturing, and large installed user base.
“We have used STELPLAN ERP for over 10 years and although it has been a good package, it offers limited flexibility and no longer suits our growing business,” explains Susan Eaton, Financial Director for Brown McFarlane. “The system is also a UNIX application and has a very cumbersome user interface as well as limited ability to interface with our Microsoft Windows applications.”
Brown McFarlane offers a full range of profiling services using Plasma, Oxygene and Propane profiles with the ability to handle individual piece weights up to 18 tonnes. With global operations, expanding into South Africa and the Middle East, in late 2005 it started a task force to find a replacement system to replace STELPLAN. A process of demonstration and evaluation of six initial vendors led to a shortlist of just two, namely Epicor and Microsoft.
“Epicor’s Vantage solution provides a better ‘out-of-the-box’ feature set when compared with Microsoft Navision. The system also offers a tighter fit to our manufacturing and stock handling requirement without lengthy and costly customization processes,” comments Eaton.
Manufacturers around the world rely on Vantage, a complete end-to-end manufacturing system that addresses the core business needs of MTO and mixed-mode manufacturers. The modular suite has built-in workflows managing the entire order cycle including Marketing, Sales, Production and Planning, Sourcing and Procurement, Installation and Service, through to financial recognition.
Eaton is especially pleased with the ability to easily drill down into any order and expose process, capacity and stock levels with Vantage. “This will add improved visibility to our operations and aid long term planning,” she adds.
Brown McFarlane has purchased the Vantage core manufacturing, accounting and stock handling modules for its 55 users. Migration and implementation is expected to complete in October of 2006, with replication of the system to its Middle East operation to commence in the latter part of the year.
Source: Epicor
