THE CONSOLIDATION

IS BRILLIANT – I

CAN CHOOSE TO USE IT OR NOT , AS REQUIRED . IT ’ S SO SIMPLE THAT THE OTHER ADMINISTRATOR ,

WHO HADN ’ T

EVEN TOUCHED A COMPUTER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO , IS COMPETENT IN

USING IT .

on forward demand within a predefined period . This reduces paperwork and also allows companies to purchase more strategically and hit higher cost break points . Works orders can also be consolidated , grouping demand within a set time frame ; “ The consolidation is brilliant – I can choose to use it or not , as required . It ’ s so simple that the other administrator , who hadn ’ t even touched a computer a couple of years ago , is competent in using it .”

Working in the aerospace , defence and medical sectors , BPE needs to adhere to strict quality accreditation standards , such as AS9100 . However , it was customer audits where 123Insight really came into its own . Perry said : “ We were recently audited by a customer in the defence sector that needed parts that must be ‘ Grade A ’ 100 % structurally sound , so batch traceability is key . Within five minutes the auditors were satisfied that we could provide the traceability level that they needed . We could show them that from a bill of materials with a batch number we could link it back through every stage of works orders , purchase orders , etc . They grade suppliers from A + to E , and on our first audit we received an A . 123Insight was a major contributor to this . We also provide subcontract services to a premium machining company in Ireland , and they were stunned at the speed of 123Insight . We can create a supplier , customer , part numbers and a purchase order in five to 10 minutes – it can take them anywhere up to three to five weeks to get a PO back to me .”

Since COVID , remote working has been commonplace for many , and BPE is no different . Staff can access 123Insight via remote desktop as required . Perry believes that 123Insight ’ s ease of use also aided its quick adoption : “ Shortly before implementing 123Insight we had taken on a supply chain assistant , with no previous exposure to ERP . Within a few days she was fully compliant with all aspects of the system .”

BPE is a long-time Sage accounts user and took advantage of 123Insight ’ s tight integration option between the two . This ensures that data is passed smoothly and accurately between the systems .

With any enterprise-level system , good support is critical . Assistance from both QMS Insight and the 123Insight Help Desk ensured that all questions were answered quickly . Perry said : “ I rarely need to use support , and most questions tend to be answered in one call . The local support from QMS Insight has been exemplary .”

As someone is constantly reviewing best practices in the company , Perry did receive a demo from an alternative ERP vendor in 2023 , just to see whether the grass was greener on the other side . Part-way through the demo , his assistant made it clear that the system was far inferior to 123Insight , and the demo was ended .

While the COVID pandemic almost halved its turnover , it is now back to pre-COVID growth levels of 20 % per year . Perry concluded : “ What I pay in subscription wouldn ’ t pay an employee on minimum wage . There ’ s a return on investment every day of the week . 123Insight will easily cope with double the business that we ’ re doing today without needing more people to drive it .” �

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