ERP Implementation for Architectural Signage Manufacturer
Featured Review- Custom Software Development ERP Consulting and SI IT Strategy Consulting
- $50,000 to $199,999
- May 2023 - Apr. 2024
- Quality
- 5.0
- Schedule
- 5.0
- Cost
- 5.0
- Willing to Refer
- 5.0
"They listened to our goals, effectively transformed our requests into workable solutions, and offered recommendations."
- Manufacturing
- Mount Vernon, New York
- 51-200 Employees
- Online Review
- Verified
Incipient Corp. provided Odoo implementation support to an architectural signage manufacturer. They integrated Odoo modules, built the required features, conducted UATs, and migrated data from other platforms.
Incipient Corp. launched the ERP solution, effectively replacing three of the client's former applications. The new system increased the client's efficiency by centralizing all contract details and fulfillment processes, providing quick access to consolidated information, and enhancing workflows.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and position.
I am the Controller of Crown Sign Systems
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
We are a designer, manufacturer and installer of architectural signage and wayfinding solutions.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What specific goals or objectives did you hire Incipient Corp. to accomplish?
- Analysis of Systems Available and Determine Best Suitable for Crown
- Replace Job Shop ERP, Monday.com and Quickbooks with Odoo
- Develop Customized Estimation Widget to allow custom sign building from templates that pass to SO generation
- Centralized, Project Management Workflow that Governs SOs & Fulfillment in addition to coordination with design team
- Customized Purchasing Table to manage Wastage and Different UOMs
- Real-Time Project Status & Milestone Dashboard to Centralize Status
- Implementation of Odoo Modules: CRM, Projects, HR, Sales/Invoicing, Purchase, Inventory, Manufacturing, Quality, Accounting and Expense
- Automated PO, MO, and WHO Generation from SO Confirmation through detailed routing and operation configurations
- Progressive Billing & Invoice Design
- HR, Employee Departments & Timesheets for Productivity Tracking
SOLUTION
How did you find Incipient Corp.?
Referral
Why did you select Incipient Corp. over others?
- Pricing fit our budget
- Great culture fit
- Good value for cost
- Referred to me
How many teammates from Incipient Corp. were assigned to this project?
2-5 Employees
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
Discovery Phase:
- This included current state analysis including surveying our operations and existing software providers. We started with three independend platforms for our manufacturing, project management and accounting areas with the goal of streamlining operations under a single platform and eliminating inefficiencies from the segmented software packages we were using.
- Recomendation of possible ERP solutions based on current state analysis and goals.
- In depth review of business and technical requirements from current state to desired state including mapping existing operations to recommended software application.
Implementation Phase:
- We decided to use Odoo as the ERP Solution for our operations based on the discovery phase analysis and recommendations from Bryan and his Team at Incipient.
- Once this decision was made we started to hold regular meetings 2-3 times per week with Bryan's Team and Key internal stakeholders to review specific processes in CRM, Project Management, Sales, Purchasing, Employees, Project Costing, Inventory Management, Manufacturing, Quality Control, and Accounting. As we went through this process we dove individually into our existing operations identifying current deficiencies, desired state and receiving mini demos on how the new ERP solution would tackle each.
- Throughtout the Process we had access to a Test environment of the new ERP where we would experience the implementation of solutions discussed during our regular meetings. We were able to test these implemented solutions and provide feedback for additional changes, polishing, etc. as we moved forward. This process was incredibly helpful as we were not just discussing options in theory: we had hands-on access to solutions as they were implemented.
- Phase Two identification: as we moved through this process we were also able to identify additional requirements for Phase-Two implementation. We will work with Incipient on the development and implementation of these (Field Service being an example).
UAT and Deployment:
- Once we went through the Implementation Phase for all our Operations our Team went trough even more testing of the implemented solutions, provided additional feedback and arrived to UAT for all modules.
- Following UAT we went into Deployment and Go Live phases that included data migration from our three separate platforms into the Final Odoo environment. Incipient proved very insightful during this time as we worked to bring together data that previously only existed in separate platforms.
Go Live Support:
- During this period now that the new ERP has been released globally to all our users Incipient continued to support our efforts by quickly addressing additional polishing and solutions as they came up now that we were in the live environment.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Key Impacts & Wins:
- A Customized Estimator Widget with Product Types for Different sign types and materials was successfully developed and implemented by Incipient. We anticipate this module to be indispensable for improving our operations going forward.
- Project Rollup - centralization of all contract details and fulfillment from SO to Delivery
- Purchase Conversion Widget for UOM and maintaining wastage for Vendor POs and Production Planning
- Progressive Billing specific to the Construction Industry
- Integrated Design Task Management workflows expand and improve on previous operations that lived in a separate, static platform
- Customized Reporting & Dashboards now provide us with access to information that simply took too much time to consolidate for it to be useful.
- A one solution ERP that replaces 3 former applications and introduces a level of efficiency that was not there before.
- Go live is completed and were now transition into support phase while planning future implementation needs for Phase 2 and beyond.
Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
Engaging in the implementation of a new ERP is a challenging undertaking. While our initial goals were simple and clear, being able to identify and articulate them at each step of the process as became critical to succeed.
During the whole implementation process Incipient was a true partner: they listened to our goals, effectively transformed our requests into workable solutions, and offered recommendations and insights, all while moving the process forward.
When working with Incipient there is a sense that both teams are working together rather than one, dictating to the other to move the process along as fast as possible. When something didn't work the first time, Incipient was willing to listen, rethink their approach and provide a different option.
This was a big investment in time and resources for our company and we feel that Incipient shared our passion for implementing the new ERP and improving our operations as much as we did.
What was your primary form of communication with Incipient Corp.?
- In-Person Meeting
- Virtual Meeting
- Email or Messaging App
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Their "we are in this together" approach set them apart from other providers. They took the time to learn about our operations and needs before making recommendations on which ERP solution they thought was best for us and throughout the process they understood why our asks were important.
Are there any areas for improvement or something Incipient Corp. could have done differently?
Onboarding a dedicated technical manager earlier on in the process would have been beneficial. Once Sabari was brought in to better bridge the conversation and help implement the more technical solutions, the project greatly benefited from it. He definitely provided greater transparency and organization to the milestones and schedule of the project.
RATINGS
-
Quality
5.0Service & Deliverables
-
Schedule
5.0On time / deadlines
-
Cost
5.0Value / within estimates
-
Willing to Refer
5.0NPS