ERP Evaluation Background
Stoddart, a leading Australian manufacturer and distributor of stainless steel and metal products, embarked on a journey to modernize its business systems. The company recognized the need to conduct an ERP Evaluation to find a new ERP Vendor and Solution to support future growth, reduce manual processes, and improve efficiencies across all areas of the business. The Evaluation also included HR and Payroll.
Business Challenge
Stoddart engaged CMC to conduct an independent and auditable ERP Evaluation, aiming to determine the best Vendor and Solution to meet the needs of the business for the next 5 – 10 years.
Key objectives for the new system would address the following critical areas:
- Increase efficiency, productivity, and improve processes.
- Provide better access to accurate and timely information.
- Offer financial transparency and reliable reporting across the organization.
- Support strategic and executive decision-making with a robust and flexible solution.
- Reduce reliance on spreadsheets and labor-intensive report preparation.
- Streamline manual and paper-based processes.
- Minimize data entry, double handling, and duplication of effort.
- Improve workflow and reporting.
- Enhance ease of use and flexibility for supporting dashboards and KPIs.
- Reduce dependence on MS Excel spreadsheets and other offline tools.
- Improve scheduling functionality and flexibility.
- Free up IT resources to support other business initiatives.
ERP Evaluation Results
CMC facilitated a comprehensive evaluation process that included:
- Conducting workshops with Business Process Owners to define Stoddart’s business and technical requirements.
- Developing a “Day in the Life Of” Business Scenario to guide vendor presentations.
- Managing the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
- Overseeing Vendor presentations.
- Providing technical advice to support due diligence and decision-making.
The evaluation covered functional areas such as Finance, Operations and Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Project Implementation, Production Scheduling, Fabrication and Assembly, and Pricing and Rebates.
