Innovative manufacturing company goes for a scalable ERP system

SaltPower had conducted an initial survey of the market but found that it was difficult to see how the various vendors met their needs. The introductory meetings they held with the vendors did not provide further clarification. They found that all the vendors said they had the right solution, even though all the solutions were different. They had challenges comparing the different offers and understanding whether the different solutions were a real match.

SaltPower therefore needed a comprehensive and structured overview of their current and future requirements and needs with future growth in mind, so that they could make a choice of system and vendor on an informed basis. But they lacked the time and skills to solve this task.

Specifically, the production company needed help to:

• Clarify strategy and vision for the implementation
• Identify business critical needs
• Manage the supplier selection process
• Evaluate answers and presentations
• Work through the information and create the basis for decision

kaastrup|andersen took SaltPower through a proven methodical process based on their needs. The methodical approach to vendor selection guaranteed that the decision-making basis was based on SaltPower's business requirements – and that the entire process was framed, structured and controlled. A clear decision-making basis should ensure that they could confidently make the right decision about the ERP system and vendor.

We helped SaltPower understand their own self-image through a series of interviews with key players in the company in various areas, e.g. finance, sales, engineering. The input formed the basis for the mapping of processes, dependencies, and functions. This resulted in detailed clarifications of needs. Based on this, it was possible to establish the most important requirements for what an ERP system should be able to do to support the business today, but also the future business, so that SaltPower does not have to implement yet another new ERP system in the coming growth phase.

The proven methodical approach helped ensure the right match of both system and vendor.

The process:

• A requirements document was drawn up and sent out to the vendors
• The vendors were chosen on the basis of kaastrup|andersen's experience with the systems' strengths - and together with SaltPower, 3 vendor candidates were selected from that list to be included in the further process
• kaastrup|andersen supported the vendors in the process of answering the requirements document
• The vendors had to follow up their answers with a presentation based on SaltPower's processes and needs
• Input from answers and presentation was used for an overall evaluation – kaastrup|andersen's evaluation tool was used to create the overview, which made the different choices comparable
• The results were compiled as one decision basis for SaltPower

kaastrup|andersen consolidated and condensed the material and presented SaltPower with a well-founded, fact-based decision-making basis.

The basis for the decision consisted of:

• An evaluation of needs weighted according to how business-critical and value-creating they are.
• An evaluation of the vendors and their ability to understand and relate to SaltPower as a company
• A comparable financial overview (both implementation price and operating price based on a consideration of Total Cost of Ownership).

kaastrup|andersen helped SaltPower choose the right system and vendor. Today, they have a successfully implemented ERP system, which forms a solid base for the future growth of their business.