Plex Systems > Case Studies > Spring Dynamics Implements Plex ERP for Enhanced Inventory Management and Operational Efficiency

Spring Dynamics Implements Plex ERP for Enhanced Inventory Management and Operational Efficiency

Customer Company Size

Mid-size Company

Region

America

Country

United States

Product

Plex ERP
Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform
QAD

Tech Stack

Cloud-based ERP
Barcode Labeling and Scanning

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Productivity Improvements
Cost Savings
Customer Satisfaction

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Applicable Industries

Automotive

Applicable Functions

Business Operation
Warehouse & Inventory Management

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Process Control & Optimization
Predictive Replenishment

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
System Integration

About The Customer

Spring Dynamics, Inc. is a manufacturer of springs primarily for the automotive industry. Headquartered in Almont, Michigan, the company also has a second facility in Harlingen, Texas. The company has been in the manufacturing industry for several years and is known for its high-quality spring products. Spring Dynamics serves a wide range of customers in the automotive sector, providing essential components that contribute to the functionality and safety of vehicles. The company is committed to innovation and efficiency, constantly seeking ways to improve its manufacturing processes and product offerings. With a focus on customer satisfaction and operational excellence, Spring Dynamics has established itself as a reliable partner in the automotive supply chain. The company employs a dedicated team of professionals who are skilled in various aspects of manufacturing and business operations, ensuring that Spring Dynamics remains competitive in the industry.

The Challenge

For several years, Spring Dynamics had been utilizing an on-premise ERP system that included accounting functions and standard reports on inventory, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. Management wanted a more robust, comprehensive system that would also include shop floor operations, generate management reports, and help maximize overall business performance. After one failed (and costly) attempt to launch a system it felt could meet these requirements, Spring Dynamics feared the disruption and capital investment involved in installing another solution. It approached a second review of potential solutions very cautiously. After a lengthy and intense analysis of possible solutions, management narrowed the search down to two candidates: Plex ERP and QAD. After reviewing demos, talking with existing customers of both products, and meeting with their development and management teams, Spring Dynamics selected Plex. The company preferred Plex to QAD for three reasons: Plex appeared to be a lot more user-friendly than QAD, there was less of an outlay of cash with Plex, and many of Spring Dynamics’ customers had been moving to the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform, and management saw distinct advantages to using the same system its customers prefer.

The Solution

Plex ERP was launched in both of Spring Dynamics’ facilities simultaneously in just four months. Because Plex combines the capabilities of enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing execution systems (MES), quality management, customer relationship management (CRM), and shop-floor integration, it has ideally served Spring Dynamics’ needs for an all-in-one, shop-floor-to-top-floor solution. It enables the company to more effectively and efficiently manage every aspect of its operations. Also, because it is a cloud-based model, Plex ERP is securely managed and maintained off-premises. Employees access data online and the company does not need to dedicate internal resources to managing the system. Today, employees are able to access and print real-time reports while filtering out data as needed. The integration of data and the use of common processes enable management to have a more accurate view of the operations in both of the company’s plants at all times. Accurate, comprehensive tracking of products as they are manufactured improves inventory management, traceability, and resource forecasting. Before launching Plex, Spring Dynamics needed to invest internal resources to track down missing products on a weekly basis. Now, the company uses barcode labeling and scanning processes to identify and track all products. Everything runs much more smoothly. Inventory is tracked at virtually 100 percent accuracy.

Operational Impact

Employees increased their productivity; they now enter data just once in the integrated system and there’s no need for duplication.
The integration of data and the use of common processes enable management to have a more accurate view of the operations in both of the company’s plants at all times.
Accurate, comprehensive tracking of products as they are manufactured improves inventory management, traceability, and resource forecasting.
The transformation from manual to automated tracking not only streamlined and sped operations. After launching Plex ERP, Spring Dynamics was able to eliminate a position. It no longer needed a shipping clerk dedicated to data entry.
Because Plex Manufacturing ERP is a cloud-based solution, all of the company’s data is securely housed and maintained off-site by Plex Systems. Spring Dynamics avoids costly servers, hardware, and energy costs. There’s no need for internal IT maintenance related to materials resource planning (MRP).

Quantitative Benefit

Discrepancies between recorded and actual inventory decreased from an average of 5 percent to virtually zero.
Inventory is tracked at virtually 100 percent accuracy.