Bianco Group controls costs with ERP implementation

The Bianco Group did not have an ERP system to support its manufacturing operations. It was therefore difficult to drive continued improvements in process and labor efficiencies. The company was growing and expanding rapidly, through both acquisitions and increasing business volumes, and it wanted to implement an ERP system to reduce costs and support the business growth. The Bianco Group selected the Intentia system to install, and it engaged IBM Business Consulting Services to support the implementation.

The IBM team delivered training on manufacturing principles, used activity-based costing to determine standard costs, and provided program and change management services. The team worked with Bianco subject matter experts and in-house system contractors to complete phase 1 of the ERP rollout successfully within the set time frame, and Bianco is currently adopting and applying similar principles and teachings to the phase 2 rollout. Recognizing the value of external partners, Bianco has now also engaged IBM Global Business Services to provide supplementary guidance and support in business resiliency.

While no hard measurements are yet available, Bianco has estimated potential savings in the range of 15 to 20 percent.

Other benefits to the operation include:

· Training on manufacturing principles which enable a better understanding of where improvements can be achieved

· Greater appreciation of the true costs associated with manufactured products

· Program and project management services which provide a basis to identifying interdependencies between projects and the ability to track the Business Improvement Program as a whole

· Change management services which enable the ability to identify and plan change impacts on processes and staff as a result of the ERP solution

· Current business continuity engagement will allow Bianco to pursue its growth agenda with the confidence that the business has a sound continuity and resiliency plan in place.