Sacla

Food Production & Supply

Looking for an alternative solution

When Systems Manager, Liz Wright, reviewed the company’s existing Navision accounts package, a number of shortcomings were identified. “We wanted to improve the overall accounting process,” says Liz, “and we concluded that a new solution would be the best way forward. In particular, we needed greater core functionality and better integration with our other business systems. Initially, research into alternative solutions was carried out on the web, with the help of the Computer Users Federation. But then I visited the Softworld Exhibition, and this put me into contact with Access Accounting. We then conducted a complete evaluation, including detailed needs analysis, and within 6 months had a concise specification for our new system. This led us to choose Dimensions over Microsoft’s updated Navision package. Dimensions offered better integration with our other systems, and provided 360° views of all our business transactions. In addition to which, the cost range was realistic for Sacla’.” The transition from Navision took just 5 months, and Sacla’ UK went live with Dimensions in July 2004. The bulk of the company’s legacy data was transferred directly into Dimensions, using a specialised import utility developed by Access. Essential re-training was completed in just 5 days

Integration and reporting take a significant step forward

Sacla’s accounts are now integrated directly with the Sales order systems used by their customers, courtesy of a Freeway EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) application. This is enabling real time sales orders to be fed straight into the company’s sales ordering system and warehouse. The outcome is a more efficient response to variations in demand, and corresponding improvements in customer service. The sales team are also able to forecast directly into Visual Basic (VBA) sheets which show live orders in, inventory and weekly sales trends, enabling more effective sales forecasts. Routine enquiries and management reporting have strengthened in a number of ways, as Liz explains: “We particularly like the 360° views, as we can quickly see and understand how any transaction fits into the overall flow of our business activity. Integration with Excel is also very strong: we can import and manipulate live data at the touch of a button. Using pivot tables and graphs to analyse our results – and to review our forecasts – is now a joy.” Measurable effects have also been felt in the area of day to day processing. For example, month end invoicing is now completed in 1 day, whereas it used to take a week. “A fully integrated system with one central, source of data has greatly strengthened our forecasting and our business management,” Liz concludes.

Dealer Support and Future Plans

Throughout the transition from Navision to Dimensions, Sacla’ was guided by its local Access Specialist Centre. Liz was impressed with the level of service she received: “Our specialist centre was great. It was very professional and quickly gained a real understanding of our needs.” The company is now working with its specialists to develop on-screen VBA forms, capable of further streamlining sales forecasting and project management.

Key Benefits

Extensive integration capabilities allow real-time sales orders entered by the client, to pass directly into the sales order system at the warehouse
Strong links with Microsoft Excel enable fast import and manipulation of data at the touch of a button
Significantly reduced day to day processing times – month end invoicing reduced from 1 week to 1 day
Strengthened forecasting, business management and company-wide efficiency, with corresponding improvements in customer service

Dimensions offered better integration with our other systems, and provided 360° views of all our business transactions. In addition to which, the cost range was realistic for Sacla.