Client background

The client is a $140 million global engineer to order (ETO) manufacturer of world-class engineered products for power transformation applications.

The business challenge

ETO manufacturers face unique business and system requirements that differ from discrete, repetitive manufacturers. The client recognized their need for a fully integrated, capable Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that would support their ETO business model and future growth plans. To meet the demands of their business, we integrated an ERP system that:

• Enabled teams to collaborate and share critical information
• Supported detailed quoting and cost estimating processes and data
• Accommodated changing customer requirements
• Accounted for long lead times and variable costs for sourced products
• Forecasted fulfillment dates for individual orders
• Manufactured unique, complex products designed to customer specifications
• Tracked products from sourced materials through finished goods
• Provided detailed job cost and product profitability reporting

Strategy and solution

Working with our client, the Baker Tilly team leveraged our detailed knowledge of ETO business environments, structured methodology and deep Plex functional expertise to design and implement new processes and functionality by executing the following activities:

• Detailed requirements gathering workshops
• Collaborative process design sessions leveraging leading practices
• System configuration and piloting workshops
• System testing and validation
• Data design, transformation and migration
• User training and knowledge transfer sessions
• Go-live support and issue resolution

The Plex Manufacturing Cloud ERP solution was successfully implemented across all business operations. This complex initiative represented the first rollout of Plex across the company’s global network of facilities and validated Plex’s ability to support ETOs and actual costing requirements.

The benefits and improvements achieved by our client included:

• Fully integrated ERP solution, enabling collaboration and information sharing
• Detailed and accurate cost drivers for quoting new work
• Optimized engineering change management processes and workflow
• Accurate scheduling of material, orders and planned fulfilment dates
• Digitally integrated shop floor production providing instant product traceability and history
• Real time reporting to support scheduling and manufacturing requirements
• Innovative cost model designed to support actual costing

Baker Tilly provides companies with the skills, knowledge and training needed to take full advantage of Plex in ETO manufacturing environments. Our team of industry and solution experts, combined with our proprietary tools, enable clients to achieve success!