Shape Corp.'s Rapid Global Expansion Enabled by Integrated ERP

Video Transcription

Molly:

Our selection process started in 2005 and there were needs identifying the fact that we had outgrown from the applications that we had there, so the focus was on the fact that we're preparing to go global. We looked at a number of the most popular packages, we probably had 15 plus that we looked at and then we had Plex come in and we sat down and saw the shop floor interface and the closeness of that interface to what we had custom-developed for our shop floor previously is probably one of the biggest selling factors that we had.

Bob:

I think the real selling point for me anyway was the simplicity of the user interface, you know, being able to navigate screens and things like that. It seemed pretty intuitive. Having had the old traditional legacy systems with all kinds of different databases doing things that our other system didn’t really do. And we were looking for something that would pull all that together under one platform.

Bill:

Right now, with Plex, even the first time I used it, I was able to step-up, do a menu search and just look for the type of applications I wanted to work with and it popped up on the menu.

Molly:

Really, the concept when we went into it with Plex was more because of the functionality of a system, not because of the delivery method. We've been able to recognize a lot of the benefits of that delivery method as we've gone global. And now as we have new entities, new locations cropping up around the world, we’re able to very quickly, very easily get those sites up and running well in advance probably of even having a facility there and up and running.

Patrick:

One the big things about Plex force in China is, Shape, we’re a structured and customer-focused business units. So, I have responsibility for China all customers all business in China but I still have to interact with all of our customer business units on a global basis. It’s important for us to have a system that we're all able to stay connected to the same data. I can actually go into the system and I can get into any of the Shape facilities globally at any time. So, I could get data not only from my China operation but I can get comparison data-similar programs, similar products that we make in other regions real-time.

Bill:

Plex has integrated all of our operations. It touches every process we have, so when an operator hits the floor-they’re logging into Plex, every part produced is recorded in Plex, every aspect of product realization from launch all the way to shipping to customers engaged with Plex Systems.

Patrick:

It does all of my document data control so I don't have separate systems for document control. Everything is right there and it's very user-friendly for the operator on the floor.

Bill:

The ability to see things at your fingertips, that is the differentiator, I think, between Plex and other systems, is the ability to get what you need as quickly as possible.

Molly:

You know, it used to be that ERP systems and ERP and the cloud was really talked about as being for smaller companies, and I think we've proven that wrong because we’re able to use a lot of the modules and we are also on a global basis. So, as I talk to other people I think we can share our success story and show that we’ve been successful at both being a larger company, being on a growth pattern, being global and still being able to run our ERP System in a simple model.