Austin Hayes, who specialise in product refurbishment and protective surface coatings, have worked with Ochiba Business Solutions to integrate SAP Business One into their operations so that the software now drives both the production side of their company as well as their day to day business processes.
After an indepth study into the different software options available, Austin Hayes decided SAP would best meet the needs of their business.
Nick Eagleton, General Manager, Austin Hayes Ltd
Austin Hayes, who specialise in product refurbishment and protective surface coatings, have worked with Ochiba Business Solutions to integrate SAP Business One into their operations so that the software now drives both the production side of their company as well as their day to day business processes.
Steve Graves, Director, Austin Hayes explains why they went down the SAP route and how Ochiba’s approach has revolutionised their business.
“Five years ago, our business decided to upgrade our accounts package and we conducted an indepth study into the options available. Our MD at the time was from a financial background and knew the difference that the right software would make. Our accountants were recommending that we go down the SAGE route, but our research led us to SAP, which we felt would better meet our business needs.
“Two and a half years ago Austin Hayes underwent a management restructure which provided us with the opportunity to take a closer look at our operations. Both myself and Nick Eagleton are from a production background and we could see that there would be a huge business benefit from linking SAP and making it integral to our production process.”
Dave Worsman, Managing Director, from Ochiba said ‘The Production add on used by Austin Hayes is part of our unique Ochiba OPTIONS software suite. We’ve been continually developing the range over the past 14 year through working closely with our customers who operate across many different manufacturing and distribution industries.”
“Our team of consultants and developers are our greatest asset as they shape and define the solutions we deliver. Everybody at Ochiba is committed to making sure we deliver quality solutions that exceed our customer’s expectations.”
Steve continues “The team worked closely with us and really took the time to understand our operators wants and needs. The time they invested in listening really paid off and means that what they delivered for us was a fantastic solution to meet the company’s production process prequirements.”
“Due to the sectors we work in and the paint solutions we provide we have to produce large reports with batch numbers and codes for the certificates of conformity for the work. Ochiba created a specific Coating Specification Solution for us which is industry leading, it has really impressed our customers.
“Although Austin Hayes is a small company based on the outskirts of Leeds, now, thanks to our systems, what we have is market leading.”
The system has meant that lots of processes have been streamlined and both customers and suppliers are seeing the benefits.
Nick Eagleton, General Manager, said: “By saving Austin Hayes time and money these systems have meant that we are able to better utilise our people.
“Our operatives have a better understanding of the business and what is required of them and as a result of this is has created a better working culture. This improved understanding means that our team really gets to grips with the customers’ requirements resulting in stronger relationships based on great service.”
We can now collect real time, accurate data from the shop floor. This means that we can see exactly who did what on each job providing more accurate costs and enabling us to provide more accurate quotes. This also helps us to identify areas where productivity could be streamlined in order to reduce cost or maximise profit.”
“Another positive outcome of the new software is that we have seen an improvement in our cash f low as companies are now invoiced on dispatch and this has improved ordering, making it more efficient and effective. Suppliers have also seen that they are being paid quicker and this has benefited the SMEs that we work with.”
“Our improved processes are also helping us to meet our environmental goals, the reduction in paper and printing alone is huge.”
“As a business we are also able to plan better, the data we have is stronger and makes business forecasting a much more robust process.”
“This has only been made possible because of Ochiba’s approach and how they took the time to listen to us and understand our requirements.”
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