Sage ERP X3 gives Universal Paper and Plastics a competitive edge

Customer:

Universal Paper and Plastics

Business partner:

Parity Software

Industry:

Paper and plastic

Location:

South Africa

System/s

Sage ERP X3

Customer profile:

Universal Paper and Plastics prides itself in the production and supply of high-quality printed napkins, bathroom tissue and household towels. The company was established in 1950 by the Sher family, and as a family-owned business spanning across four generations, has dedicated itself to the development of innovative, everyday products, which satisfy the creative mind and hygienic needs of the South African consumer market.

Universal Paper and Plastics needed to replace its legacy enterprise resource planning (ERP) system with a solution that would integrate and automate its production and supply processes. The company opted to implement Sage ERP X3, which excels in the provision of advanced manufacturing functionality, effectively allowing Universal Paper and Plastics to remain competitive in a tough economy.

Sage ERP X3 was customised to provide accurate real-time information at the touch of a button, which greatly improved the company's forecasting capabilities as far as waste management, fixed asset management and stock control was concerned. The solution has further optimised material requirements planning (MRP) within Universal Paper and Plastics to accurately plan its production and control its inventory levels during its various manufacturing processes.

Simplifying client management processes, in addition to a vast improvement in the sales cycle, has effectively streamlined the entire sales process to provide enough added detail to optimise the client's purchasing experience with Universal Paper and Plastics, in addition to greatly aiding internal transactional and reporting processes. The added ability to remotely authorise procurement processes from multi-levels within the organisation further underscores the company's dedication to superior service delivery.

Once the decision was made to go with Sage ERP X3, the management team at Universal Paper and Plastics gathered staff members and discussed the impending change in a group forum. The implementation was welcomed by all, which laid the foundation for solid buy-in and support from all involved.

Universal Paper and Plastics placed its trust in Parity Software due to its proven track record of successful ERP implementations. A comprehensive situational analysis formed the basis of the draft that outlined the functional specifications and business processes the client required. The conversion of data from the legacy system to Sage ERP X3 started early in the implementation cycle, which took a mere five months. Parity Software focused on implementing a manufacturing solution that was completely customised to accommodate the needs of Universal Paper and Plastics.

The most significant benefit of ERP software is its ability to streamline operations, especially from a manufacturing perspective. By automating business processes, Sage ERP X3 has aided Universal Paper and Plastics to consolidate its day-to-day tasks, effectively improving the accuracy of information and accelerating data flow. The company's product distribution to its six depots across the country has also been streamlined, despite fluctuations in the market.

“We are a manufacturer at heart and Sage ERP X3 has delivered on that, effectively changing our business. Accurate forecasting has enabled us to plan to have the correct materials available at the right time. We are now able to control our wastages and understand which products are making profits and the ones that are not, which is exactly what we wanted,” said Barry Sher, Managing Director Universal Paper and Plastics.

Challenge:

Universal Paper and Plastics needed an ERP system that was capable of integrating and automating its production and supply processes.

Solution:

Sage ERP X3 excels at the provision of advanced manufacturing functionality that has allowed Universal Paper and Plastic to remain competitive in a tough economy.

Result:

Sage ERP X3 provided accurate, real-time information at the touch of a button, which greatly improved Universal Paper and Plastic's forecasting capabilities.