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Plastex, a leading West Midlands manufacturer of uPVC windows, has automated site surveys to reduce cost and take another step towards their objective of delivering exceptional customer service at the lowest cost. Viretec, working with the B2B Centre, provided the indepth knowledge to define an accurate RFQ to allow the selection of the best suppliers.
The Challenge
Plastex share the concerns of the manufacturing sector where cost pressures and foreign competition are constantly eating away at margins and remaining competitive demands the maintenance of very high quality standards. With difficult field survey conditions and increasing errors flowing through the system, costs and profit were heading in the wrong direction. Plastex had the support of the Manufacturing Advisory Service who helped sort out shop floor issues and The National B2B Centre, were engaged to determine e-business opportunities. From this, Plastex knew where they should invest in ICT systems, but needed some hands-on help to design and specify the solution. Viretec Support “Denis was instrumental in the early stages of the program. Due to his knowledge and enthusiasm, he was able to capture and record our requirements and needs in a format that enabled the IT community to interpret the results fully and accurately. This ensured that the finished product exceeded our expectations.” Jon Cardwell Contracts Manager, PlastexViretec were engaged through The National B2B Centre, to prepare a Request for Quotation (RFQ) document for a new Survey Data Capture and Management Solution. We started by clarifying the business objectives and the ICT systems architecture within which the new solution would sit. From there, User Requirements were gathered by shadowing site surveys and mapping the end-to-end process with surveyors and office staff. The existing process was simplified and refined which was essential to improving overall productivity and ensuring the new solution performs effectively. The final RFQ document was issued to several vendors and the final selection supervised by a B2B Centre consultant. Working in close collaboration with government support agencies, ensured Plastex received the right expertise, excellent service and best value for money. Results Plastex implemented the system in early 2008, following a successful pilot. The mobile data capture solution has proved to be a hit with field survey staff, much to the surprise of some, and benefits started to flow from the start. By reducing survey inaccuracies and data errors during capture or transcription, Plastex are well on the way to achieving projected savings in excess of £50,000 per year, and, with the additional customer service and sales opportunity benefits, this has become such a huge success that Plastex are actively promoting it to other businesses. What Next? Find out more about our expertise in eBusiness strategy development and managing IT programmes. Find out how we can help you deliver business growth through technology by contacting Viretec today.
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