The rate at which material and production data is collected and utilized defines the operational visibility, control and accuracy of a manufacturer’s supply chain. It is the responsibility of the company’s ERP solution to ensure the data is complete and accurate, but in order to thrive in a changing manufacturing landscape, it must also provide information that is timely and improves material transaction effectiveness. Through real-time data retrieval and validation, the ERP can enable manufacturers to increase efficiencies, reduce errors and streamline logistics processes.
Real-time Data Means Real Results
Akebono Thailand, a subsidiary of Akebono Brake Industry Co., manufactures a wide range of brake friction materials and foundation brake assemblies. With customers spanning from leading OEMs and Tier 1 brake suppliers to the automotive aftermarket, Akebono Thailand relies on accurate inventory, manufacturing and shipping data that can be shared across multiple teams and departments.
The processes Akebono has in place to manage their records and forecasting are complex, require many steps and rely on the coordination of multiple teams. Many of these processes had been performed manually and as a result, there was sometimes a lack of consistency that led to delayed response times for customers, a lack of product traceability and extra time needed for running month-end close reports. These are all challenges that, for an automotive supplier, can quickly turn costly.
Improved Effectiveness with More Reliable Information
“We needed a concise and consistent system. We needed to trust our data and be more efficient,” commented Nattapan Kitprayoon, Akebono’s general manager, production & production control. “With QAD’s help, we realized that converting our manual systems to an automated system could give us that.”
Working closely with the QAD team, Akebono learned about QAD Automation Solutions and the many benefits it could provide. Integrating with QAD ERP, it can improve operational visibility, control and accuracy throughout the internal supply chain.
“With QAD Automation Solutions (AS) we are now able to capture reliable information about our various products,” comments Winai Yampochai, Akebono’s general manager, finance & accounting. “We’ve been able to accomplish a level of product profitability visibility with AS that was missing previously in the absence of data accuracy.”
Learn more about the benefits Akebono Thailand realized to help manage their complex systems and better align their logistics processes using QAD Automation Solutions.
