FEBRUARY 2020 IT IN FOCUS
EFACS E/8 helped simplify the
integration of a second company
following an acquisition by PFF
functionality. Still, other
systems appeared to be
very complex to both set up
and operate.
“The expectation had been
that PFF would be doing the bulk
of the implementation work itself, with
users actively involved,” says Tomlinson.
“With some of the systems out there, that
simply wasn’t going to work.”
At which point, the management of a local
manufacturing company recommended
taking a look at Exel Computer Systems, and
its EFACS E/8 ERP system. This manufacturer,
it turned out, was a very satisfi ed Exel client,
and couldn’t imagine that EFACS would not
meet the needs of PFF as well.
The way forward was clear: Exel Computer
Systems’ EFACS E/8 ERP system. The contract
was signed, and implementation duly began.
Why Exel?
Like PFF itself, Exel Computer Systems was
a British business, aiming to punch above its
weight in a crowded marketplace. Moreover,
Exel was the developer of EFACS E/8, rather
than a reseller. Signifi cantly, too, it was agreed
that Exel would further develop the EFACS
quotations module, in such a way so as to
better suit the needs of PFF.
And while EFACS contained a lot of valuable
best practices ‘out of the box’, it was also clear
that Exel’s powerful customisation and workfl ow toolsets could
genuinely enable PFF to work in the way that it wanted to,
fl exibly and reactively.
Finally, rapid and powerful traceability functionality remained
high on PFF’s list of required features - and here, thanks to the
use of batch control, EFACS excelled.
“In the end, it seems that the decision more or less made
itself,” sums up Tomlinson.
To begin with, a production ‘model’ was designed to suit
the very di erent needs of the two manufacturing businesses
within the group. The implementation progress slowed at
this point as PFF acquired another thermoforming business in
Washington, Tyne & Wear; the integration of this business into
PFF absorbed a great deal of management time and attention.
As senior PFF management led the reorganisation and
integration e orts of the group, it was clear that EFACS would,
on paper, also be an ideal solution for the Washington business,
now known as PFF Packaging North East.
“It had almost everything that the business needed,”
comments Tomlinson.
The new EFACS system went ‘live’ at the Keighley site
after a short period of parallel running. This was used as a
model for the Washington site which went ‘live’ in mid-2018.
By March 2019 implementation was complete for the
group as a whole.
Overcoming challenges
“The impact has been signifi cant,” says
Tomlinson. “PFF now has the required realtime
visibility into its operations, leading
to greater responsiveness. The focus on
the implementation of batch control has
given signifi cant benefi ts in all aspects of
the business, especially in stock control,
fi nished goods management and delivery
to customers.”
“The business’s traceability capability has
been transformed, with traceability queries
taking just minutes, rather than days. The provision
of management information to users has been greatly
enhanced, not least through EFACS’ integrated Microsoft Power
BI capabilities. Operationally, warehouse receipt and delivery
processes have been streamlined.”
A further benefi t - largely unanticipated at the time of the
original purchase decision - has been the achievement of
signifi cantly improved machine-level planning and scheduling,
which has led to greater manufacturing e ciencies.
“The integration of Visual Planning, a third-party tool, with
the EFACS Database has enabled PFF Packaging Group to
establish a highly specialised planning process for master
production. The, now, real-time planning and scheduling
capability continues to improve the business’ performance.”
“The implementation of EFACS within PFF Packaging Group
introduced many challenges, for both PFF and Exel. In all
aspects, the e orts to overcome these challenges have been
completely justifi ed.”
www.exel.uk
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk 49
/www.exel.uk
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