Group Five implements impact in three months

Group Five has solved the business requirements of its manufacturing arm by implementing Syspro's IMPACT Encore ERP system one month ahead of schedule and within budget.

"Historically, IT projects of this nature seem to either incur a 100% increase in cost or take 50% longer than expected," says Fred Dielwart, group IT manager of Group Five. "IMPACT went in incredibly well, and the transition was very smooth. I believe we have achieved these results because of the way IMPACT is structured."

This rare accomplishment in the world of ERP systems is attributable to several factors, including a dedicated implementation team. Jan Uys, project manager of Group Five IT, also pays tribute to nationally represented Enterprise Outsourcing, Group Five's implementation partner for the project, and the flexibility of IMPACT Encore.

"We evaluated several packages. IMPACT Encore was the only one that guaranteed rapid implementation while simultaneously meeting our selection criteria," Uys says. "We've been using an in-house developed system which is 20 years old, so the need to be Y2K compliant was critical. There was no margin for error."

The manufacturing arm of Group Five consists of AC Pipes, Vaal Sanitaryware, Everite Building Products and Everite Garden Products. The company initially bought a 144-user licence and currently has 189 active users on the system.

Group Five selected Enterprise Outsourcing, which has an experienced pool of consultants and operations specialists, as its implementation partner on Syspro's recommendation. A joint team of Enterprise Outsourcing and Group Five personnel were responsible for the success of the project. Within three months, the systems were up and running.

"Installing a system of this magnitude would normally take at least nine months, but speed was of the essence so that we could run tests for Y2K compliance," Uys says. IMPACT Encore's financial and manufacturing suites were implemented first, and Group Five will be running the full ERP system within the next four to six months. Enterprise Outsourcing will again support Group Five during the implementation of the remaining modules.

The nationwide manufacturing operations are linked via a central processor on a Diginet WAN at Group Five's head office in Rivonia.

Commenting on the advantages already delivered by IMPACT Encore, Uys says having access to a fully integrated real-time system has been hugely beneficial. "Previously, we ran nightly batch runs which were updated daily, so the information was always a day old," he says. "Now the information is always available, and it's always accurate. It's introduced constructive discipline to our manufacturing concerns."

Uys anticipates cost savings in the future as Group Five's manufacturing processes will be monitored and managed more effectively. In addition, IMPACT Encore has paved the way for Group Five to enter the world of e-commerce.

Martin van Staden, project manager for Enterprise Outsourcing, complimented Uys on the dedicated approach that was adopted towards the implementation. "Key criteria for a successful implementation are management commitment, being receptive to new methods of running the business and driving towards common goals," he says.

"Group Five had clearly outlined its project plan and criteria, and worked relentlessly towards achieving its objectives. I am confident that we will complete the full ERP system within the next four to six months."

Enterprise Outsourcing, through the educational offerings of Peopleware Solutions, ensures that its clients have a thorough understanding of the underlying principles of integrated business.

IMPACT Encore is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system designed by leading local software house Syspro. A 21-year-old company with a track record of supporting its customers' business objectives, Syspro's accounting, manufacturing and distribution products are used in more than 45 countries. IMPACT Encore enables a company to exercise complete control over the planning, forecasting, management and distribution facets of the business. It is a comprehensive solution which is simple to maintain, thereby maximising time for business management and profit generation.