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Printable Version
The Company
Based in Lenexa, Kansas, Accessible Technologies, Inc. (ATI), designs,
manufacturers and markets ProCharger superchargers to the automotive,
marine, truck, industrial and other commercial markets. A market leader
with the broadest model offering, ATI boasts more patented and patent-pending
designs than any other centrifugal manufacturer, and delivers some of
the most powerful, durable and technically advanced superchargers available
today.
Return on Investment
- Increased manufacturing productivity
- Improved product quality
- Reduced call volume through better customer service
- Increased product availability and on-time shipments
- Better internal communication
- Increased gross margin
Software
EnterpriseIQ™ ERP software system with Customer Relationship Management
(CRM), Wireless Warehouse Management, Preventative Maintenance, Workflow
and IQAlert modules.
Hardware
Oracle database with multi-platform system, combining windows-based PCs
and Mac remote desktops.
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Accessible Technologies, Inc. Supercharges
Customer Service with IQMS and EnterpriseIQ ERP
A driving force in supercharger technology, Accessible Technologies,
Inc. (ATI) understands complexity. The Kansas-based firm designs, manufactures
and markets ProCharger® brand supercharger systems for automotive,
marine, truck, industrial and commercial applications, with automotive
systems representing the bulk of ATI's business. Though ATI operates in
a niche market, its sales volume is anything but small, and its products
anything but simple.
The automotive enthusiasts who purchase ProCharger supercharger systems
are truly passionate about their cars, spending on average four thousand
dollars per system. Whether they make the purchase for street use or on
the track, they know what they want and care about getting it right. For
them, ATI crafts its supercharger systems specific to automobile make,
and offers a variety of options to accommodate preferences such as horsepower
and satin verses chrome finish. ProCharger systems are manufactured to
stock and sold worldwide via a network of several hundred installation
dealers. ATI also leads the industry in aftermarket sales, providing factory-direct
parts and service to individual customers.
"At ATI, we're as passionate about customer service as our customers
are about their cars," said Ken Jones, CEO at ATI. "The challenge
for us is managing two distribution channels, many product options, and
an extremely high part-number to sales ratio, while still ensuring the
best possible experience for each customer."
ATI must also manage seasonal sales peaks and an ever growing demand
for its products. Previously, the company was using a small Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) system and accounting package, another program
to manage sales and marketing, and a third software solution for shipping.
Yet even when bundled, these systems lacked the functionality and interoperability
ATI needed to mange its business effectively.
"Having to maintain and reconcile three databases was slowing production,
especially in periods of strong growth and during peak season," said
Jones. "Customer service was also hindered by the lack of system
integration and an inflexible order configuration process. To keep up
with growth and, more importantly, to keep our customers happy, we needed
a cohesive system that could manage all aspects of our business."
ATI evaluated over ten ERP software solutions before switching to EnterpriseIQ.
Production management, inventory control, flexible order configuration
and effective customer relationship management (CRM) were the company's
top priorities. It was also important for ATI to protect its existing
platform investment, which consisted of windows-based PCs and remote Macintosh
desktops.
"IQMS was the only solution that met the challenge," said Jones.
"Many of the solutions we considered had strong management tools,
but IQMS takes it a step further by delivering a comprehensive set of
tools that run as one system. We've been very pleased with how everything
flows together."
For ATI, the ability to manage a dual service environment was imperative.
Because dealer orders are serviced on demand, ATI must anticipate what
system configurations dealers will want to stock. At the same time, the
company must be at the ready to sell and ship single parts to individual
customers, also on demand. This requires ATI to optimize a myriad of parts
and system configurations against projected dealer orders and individual
call volume. It also requires ATI to have production and shipping data
readily available at all points down the line.
Along with the core EnterpriseIQ ERP software, ATI is using the IQMS
business activity monitoring module, IQAlert, and EnterpriseIQ CRM. The
company also purchased EnterpriseIQ wireless Warehouse Management for
its scanner and barcode capabilities. According to Jones, several factors
set the IQMS system apart from the others: flexible order configuration;
visual drop-and-drag scheduling; comprehensive customer service capabilities;
and the direct, full-service approach IQMS takes when servicing its clients.
"EnterpriseIQ lets us manage a high level of product and service
complexities, and manage it well," said Jones. "It was by far
the best ERP software solution for our business needs. We also liked the
idea of buying direct from IQMS. A lot of other systems are sold through
dealers, so we had the feeling IQMS would be more responsive to our needs,
and we were right."
IQMS was also the only solutions provider that was able to assist ATI
in establishing its new ERP platform around the company's existing, multi-system
configuration, saving ATI money, both in capital investment costs and
manpower during implementation.
ATI went live with its new IQMS system in June 2005 and has since recognized
gains in control and efficiency throughout the company. For example with
IQAlert, ATI has automated many functions such as work flow procedures,
document control and staff reminders. The benefit is faster, more precise
communication, both internally and with customers. ATI also uses IQAlert
to customize and automate internal data reporting, which lets Jones and
his management team make projections and decisions based on accurate,
real-time data.
"Areas that previously seemed like black holes where data reporting
was concerned are now easy to monitor and control," explained Jones.
"We've also greatly improved our gross margin, and even with sales
up as much as 30% over what we experienced last year, product availability
has improved as much as 50%."
With better visibility to schedule, ATI has gotten so far ahead in production
that its machine shop no longer runs overtime. This has allowed the company
to focus on preventative maintenance and improved product quality - both
of which are tracked using EnterpriseIQ. ATI has also improved its on-time
shipments, which in turn has reduced overall call volume.
"ProCharger technology has always been an industry best," said
Jones. "But EnterpriseIQ has enabled us to take quality and timeliness
to an all new level. We are now well equipped to push beyond our competition,
not only in terms of innovative supercharger technology, but also in terms
of providing the industry's best, overall customer experience."
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