Mayflex is networked with IBS
IBS software helps manage Mayflex's complex pricing structure, paving the way for efficiency improvements and enabling a high degree of integration in the company's supply chain.
Company background
Headquartered in the UK, Mayflex is a leading supplier of cabling, networking products and solutions, bringing together quality people and technology to create the competitive edge demanded by today's economics.
Mayflex was founded in 1917 and since then the business has evolved into one of the leading players in the market. The company has twin priorities – customer service and product choice, both of which have been a critical part of this growth.
Mayflex employs 126 people with a turnover of over EUR 50 million.
Business issues
Need for consolidation Mayflex needed to find supply chain management software for its complex distribution network and systems. Historically the company had run its business using a number of different systems specific to certain operational areas. The business grew at such a rapid rate, however, that it became necessary to consolidate all the old software into one new integrated solution.
Credit control was a key problem area, as Mayflex lacked the correct information to facilitate prompt debt collection. In addition, the company found it very difficult to trace financial transactions that originated from sales orders. Other problems included the lack of an integrated warehouse management module with links to radio-frequency bar code readers and the ability to cope with the company's complex pricing and discount structures.
The old software was unable to handle customer queries and supplier claims. This was a major requirement for Mayflex, which needed to track, resolve and measure any queries logged by customers before and after the installation of their networks.
Not only was the previous system inadequate and unable to handle the growing business, it also lacked the ability to provide effective management information.
Mayflex evaluated six different software solutions before selecting the integrated supply chain management solution, IBS Enterprise.
We chose IBS software because it has the ability to handle our complex pricing structures and would provide and support the best practices to be found in the electronic components distribution industry.
Lynn Dolphin
Finance Manager
Mayflex
Solution and capabilities
"We chose IBS software because it has the ability to handle our complex pricing structures and would provide and support the best practices to be found in the electronic components distribution industry," explains Lynn Dolphin, Finance Manager of Mayflex.
STATE-OF-THE-ART WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT – In addition, the integrated IBS Warehouse Management module is designed to cover any warehousing scenario for mid-sized distribution companies like Mayflex. The solution is built with scalability in mind. This allows Mayflex to customize its individual warehousing requirements to make certain that both lead-times and costs are reduced and return on investment (ROI) is rapidly achieved.
Since the initial implementation, state-of-the-art automated storage devices have been installed with interfaces to IBS Enterprise, providing Mayflex with a 100 percent automated pick and pack process.
The IBS solution has given Mayflex the confidence that orders are now being picked quickly, correctly and efficiently.
The integrated nature of IBS software ensures that once picking is confirmed, invoices are generated without any manual intervention, saving a considerable amount of Time. Consignment stock warehouses are easier to maintain, and reconciliation of customer returns is streamlined.
Complete visibility
Credit control information such as customer status, transactions and payment details make the process of resolving customer debt far more visible and easier to control.
Financial postings derived from transactions within distribution can be traced back through to the original transaction, resulting in ease of reconciliation and/or investigation.
Mayflex now has visibility of all its processes, from goods inwards, through storage to sale and dispatch while management information can now be retrieved much more quickly. Stock levels have been reduced and Mayflex now handles more sales with less stock.
Fewer people are needed to process orders and with fewer errors. Customer queries are quickly logged and resolved, which results in improved customer satisfaction.
Looking after the future
Mayflex has recently gone through a major upgrade to the latest version of IBS software as well as implementing additional modules, offered by the new version, to support its business objectives.
"We have worked closely with IBS since the start of our relationship to ensure the software meets the requirements of our business. There are significant enhancements in the latest version of the system and it provides us with access to new software modules. The benefits that Mayflex can gain from these additions have driven the decision to upgrade to IBS Enterprise 6.0," explains Dolphin.
As a result of the upgrade, Mayflex expects to benefit in several key areas. customer service will improve through enhanced returns handling capabilities and automated sales order entry. Overall profitability will increase through reduced inventory achieved by better forecasting and planning.
The company will also benefit from enhanced automation throughout the business, including improved EDI capabilities, supplier price list updates, parcel carrier integration, more flexible pricing and discounting, and more extensive management reporting across the supply chain.
In addition to the upgrade, Mayflex is implementing new software components.
These include IBS Planner View for greater visibility within the supply chain; IBS Supply Planning to improve overall communications with suppliers; IBS Alert Management, which helps increase customer satisfaction by providing the timely notification of out-of-line business situations; and IBS Supplier Marketing Support, which allows Mayflex to manage and control the rebates offered by suppliers for their marketing support.
Contact IBS for more information. »
|
