Western Cape's Steelcraft automates manufacturing process with Sage ERP X3

Issued by Watt Communications: for Sage Enterprise
Johannesburg, 05 May 2010

While the country braces itself for the onset of soccer fever in June, Steelcraft, a specialist in the design, manufacture and marketing of premier quality stainless steel wire products in the Western Cape, will be rolling out Sage ERP X3 for manufacturing, with the help of ATS Mirlem, a Softline Accpac business partner.

This is the first Sage ERP X3 implementation in the Western Cape, and according to Keith Fenner, vice-president sales - Africa, Softline Accpac, the region holds significant promise.

Having outgrown its previous accounting system, Steelcraft needed an ERP solution that would meet its evolving business requirements, as well as provide accurate manufacturing information in the planning and management process. “We conducted an evaluation and selected Sage ERP X3 because we wanted the most recently developed and up-to-date ERP solution,” says Wilhelm Lourens, director, Steelcraft.

He says the ability to automate its bill of materials (BOM) process is one of the advantages for the manufacturer. “Our previous system could not accurately measure the manufacturing cost. By implementing Sage ERP X3, we will know the actual costs and adjust our budgets and manufacturing process accordingly.”

Andre Matthysen, MD, ATS Mirlem, says: “The ability to streamline and accurately cost the manufacturing process is significant to Steelcraft. Using Sage ERP X3, they will have better control of raw material usage and labour monitoring.”

Sage ERP X3 for manufacturing supports all of the planning, scheduling and production control activities for either process or discrete manufacturing, and adapts to different manufacturing modes, including make-to-order, configure-to-order, assemble-to-order, make-to-stock and mixed-mode environments.

Fenner says Sage ERP X3 is an ideal solution for Steelcraft. “The manufacturing module is fully integrated with the sales, CRM, purchasing, inventory and finance components. It will provide accurate, up-to-date and relevant business and process information to the management team, and assist in budgeting, forecasting and daily decision-making.”

Implementation is currently under way, with a planned go-live date set for 1 June 2010.

Softline Accpac

Softline Accpac is a provider of business management solutions, including financial, distribution, service management, retail, warehouse management, manufacturing and CRM to the mid-range market. Accpac solutions are delivered to 130 countries exclusively through a global network of solution providers, including over 150 throughout Africa. Softline Accpac's product line includes: Accpac ERP, Accpac CRM, Accpac RMS, Service Manager and Accpac Insight. Softline Accpac also distributes Sage SalesLogix, Sage Geode and Sage ERP X3, a full-service enterprise management software system for mid-to-large businesses. With a choice of languages, currencies, enterprises, locations and legislations, Sage ERP X3 offers an efficient, multi-company solution.

Softline

Softline is a leading provider of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions to small, medium and large sized companies. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the software industry and listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa in February 1997. Softline expanded to establish a strong position within its area of focus in South Africa and Australia. Focused on the development of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions, Softline has a 20-year track record as a market leader. The group has a broad range of products offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Softline's leading brands include Softline Accpac, Softline Pastel (Accounting and Payroll) and Softline VIP. The combination of the group's product offerings provides Softline customers with comprehensive, well-branded accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions. In November 2003, Softline was acquired by the Sage Group, a FTSE 100 company. The software group includes market-leading businesses throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia, supplying business software to the small, medium and large sized business community. Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.

The Sage Group

The Sage Group is a leading global supplier of business management software solutions and related products and services, principally for small to medium-sized enterprises. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989. Sage has 6.1 million customers and more than 13 400 employees worldwide. We operate in over 24 countries covering the UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, India and China. For further information, please visit http://www.sage.com.

Sage ERP X3

Sage ERP X3 is a solution designed specifically for midsize and large businesses. With over 2 300 customers worldwide, Sage ERP X3 is a mature solution specifically targeted at companies with 50 to 2 000 employees working in the fields of manufacturing, services and distribution. Sage ERP X3, which is based on the SAFE X3 (Sage Application Framework for the Enterprise) development and integration platform, common to the other Sage solutions (CRM, FRP, WMS, HR), enables automation of business processes and skills specificities, in compliance with legal and normative aspects. This modular and preconfigured powerful solution allows for advanced customisations and embeds several interactive Sage visual processes. Sage ERP X3 is a solution that is easy to use, fast to implement and cost-effective.

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