Canaropa and Sky High ERP NetSuite Implementation: From Legacy Challenges to Scalable Solutions
About the Customer
Canaropa is a leading contract manufacturer, importer and distributor of quality commercial, residential, and architectural door hardware. The preferred choice of professionals, developers, and architects - their products are found throughout North America in private homes, residential developments, offices, commercial and industrial buildings and resorts.
Background
Canaropa was operating on an older version of Elite by Tecsys as their ERP system. A required upgrade for this system presented significant challenges, and the upgrade process would have been time-consuming and expensive. This situation prompted Canaropa to evaluate the overall limitations of their current ERP.
Challenges Within Their Legacy ERP
A major pain point was the inability of Elite to satisfy their reporting requirements. Canaropa relied on IBM’s Cognos for reporting, which required data to be extracted from their ERP and imported into Cognos. This process was not only cumbersome but also prone to errors and inconsistencies. The manual data transfer consumed valuable time and resources, impacting the decision-making process and hindering operational efficiency.
Additionally, the use of separate systems created a lack of real-time visibility into business performance. Decision-makers at Canaropa were unable to access up-to-date information quickly, leading to delays in responding to market changes and customer demands. The inefficiency of having to synchronize data between systems often resulted in discrepancies, further complicating the process of generating accurate and timely reports.
Moreover, Elite presented various operational challenges. These included limited scalability, inhibiting Canaropa’s ability to synchronize operational processes with rapid growth in the business or changes in the market. The system lacked many of the modern features and functionalities that are crucial for today’s dynamic business environment. As a result, Canaropa faced challenges in streamlining their processes, optimizing inventory management, and enhancing customer service, all of which impacted their value proposition.
Ultimately the combination of an outdated ERP system, the inefficiency of managing separate ERP and reporting systems, and the associated time and cost implications of upgrading Elite set the stage for a search for a more integrated, efficient, and scalable solution.
Choosing NetSuite
Canaropa’s main priorities when choosing a new ERP solution were ease of use and adaptability. They wanted a system that would be straightforward to implement and adopt, while having the ability to scale with their business. NetSuite’s ease of customization was a key selling point, allowing users to tailor reports to their specific needs without relying on developers. This would allow Canaropa to adapt quickly without relying on external IT resources.
In addition to customization, Canaropa appreciated NetSuite’s straightforward configuration process. Compared to competitors, NetSuite was determined to be considerably more user-friendly. This ease of configuration meant they would be able to quickly adapt the system to their unique and evolving business processes.
Another deciding factor was NetSuite’s ability to efficiently import large amounts of legacy data .This capability ensured that the transition to the new system would preserve important historical data without the typical challenges associated with data migration at this scale.
The Implementation Process
The implementation of NetSuite was a resounding success. The transition and go-live experience were seamless, allowing Canaropa to immediately benefit from the newly implemented system.
One of the significant challenges was the migration of 10 years of detailed historical transactional data. Sky High ERP expertly consolidated data from Canaropa’s old system, aligning it with the new structure in NetSuite. This ensured a smooth transition and accurate data mapping, which was crucial for maintaining business continuity and integrity.
The involvement of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from various departments empowered them to approve requested changes, ensuring that NetSuite met the specific demands of each department while ensuring the seamless overall functionality of the system. This collaborative approach fostered a sense of ownership and satisfaction among the teams.
To ensure a smooth transition and maximize user adoption, Sky High ERP provided structured and consistent training to end users. This training program ensured that all users were comfortable and productive within the new system, minimizing disruptions and accelerating the learning curve. The expertise of Sky High ERP’s consultants was instrumental in the success of the implementation. Their deep knowledge of NetSuite and thorough understanding of Canaropa’s business ensured that the solution was not only technically sound but also aligned with Canaropa’s strategic goals.
"The transition was smooth, thanks to the expertise and responsiveness of Sky High ERP throughout the implementation process. Their deep understanding of both NetSuite and our business needs ensured that we not only adopted the new system but also maximized its benefits."
A key highlight of the implementation was the development of a customized solution to quickly check a customer’s specific price and inventory availability. Canaropa employees could now instantly access customer-specific pricing and discounts, compare quantity-based pricing to list prices, and see real-time inventory levels.
As a result of the customization, Canaropa’s sales team could now quickly access the information they needed when speaking with a customer. This streamlined the sales process, allowing employees to focus on closing sales and providing service instead of manually checking prices and inventory. The ability to respond more promptly and accurately to customer inquiries also led to a more satisfying customer experience.
The Benefits of Implementing NetSuite
Implementing NetSuite has streamlined Canaropa’s operations by integrating its business processes into a single, unified system.
With NetSuite, Canaropa has achieved greater levels of financial oversight and control. The unified platform has simplified financial processes including accounts receivable and accounts payable, leading to more efficient cash flow management. The comprehensive reporting capabilities of NetSuite have provided Canaropa with real-time insights into financial performance, enabling more informed decision-making. The consolidation of 10 years of historical data has enhanced the accuracy and accessibility of financial records, facilitating more reliable financial planning and analysis. This allowed Canaropa to avoid maintaining and revisiting their legacy ERP system.
NetSuite’s robust inventory management modules has revolutionized Canaropa’s supply chain operations. Real-time visibility into inventory levels has improved inventory accuracy, reduced stockouts, and minimized excess inventory on hand. In their legacy ERP system, Canaropa didn’t have access to warehouse location of overstock items, further limiting inventory visibility. This information was siloed by individuals, which often led to gaps in their overall visibility. These improvements have lowered holding costs while ensuring that the right products are available at the right time to meet evolving customer demands. The seamless integration of supply chain processes has improved order fulfilment rates and enhanced supplier collaboration, ultimately leading to a more efficient and responsive supply chain.
NetSuite’s advanced business intelligence and analytics capabilities have equipped Canaropa with actionable insights into business performance. The integrated reporting and analytics tools have provided a comprehensive view of key performance indicators (KPIs), helping Canaropa identify trends, monitor performance, and uncover opportunities for improvement. This enhanced visibility has enabled Canaropa to make data-driven decisions, optimize operations across the entire business, and strategically plan for future growth.
“Implementing NetSuite has been a game-changer for Canaropa. The seamless integration of our operations has significantly improved our efficiency and accuracy. NetSuite has given us unprecedented visibility into our financials and supply chain, which has empowered us to make more informed decisions and respond swiftly to market changes."
What's Next for Canaropa
Canaropa aims to refine their demand planning processes by reducing reliance on manual calculations. The goal is to transition towards a model where human verification complements automated demand forecasting. By leveraging NetSuite’s advanced analytics and demand planning features, Canaropa will streamline their forecasting processes, improve accuracy, and ensure better alignment with market trends. This shift will enable Canaropa to respond more effectively to customer demands and optimize inventory levels, further driving operational efficiency.
To streamline their warehouse operations and eliminate manual processes, Canaropa is planning to implement NetSuite’s Warehouse Management System (WMS). By integrating NetSuite’s WMS, Canaropa will automate key warehouse functions, significantly enhancing accuracy and efficiency in inventory management. This integration will enable real-time tracking of inventory, reduce manual errors, and boost overall warehouse productivity, ensuring that Canaropa can meet the growing demand for their products with greater speed and precision.
These initiatives reflect Canaropa’s commitment to continuous improvement and leveraging technology to drive growth and operational excellence, and NetSuite plays a pivotal role in that objective.
Ready to Implement NetSuite?
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