Products and Services
Syspro Named Technology Winner For Second Year In Succession by Microsoft Corporation, Start Magazine
Start Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Peggy Smedley named the winners and representatives from Microsoft Corporation made the presentations on September 11, 2000, during a New York harbor dinner cruise co-hosted by the publication and Microsoft.
Start Magazine presents the Technology & Business Awards annually in cooperation with Microsoft to recognize "industry leaders in manufacturing." To be eligible, a company must utilize Windows-based technology to achieve its corporate goals and strategies. Winners are selected in several industry categories by an independent panel of industry research experts based upon a company's use of "technological resources, strategies and tactics to overcome business challenges."
The following is the list of this year's distinguished panel of judges:
- Kevin Poutry, AMR Research, Boston, Mass.
- Dick Slansky, ARC Advisory Group, Dedham, Mass.;
- Dan Miklovic, Gartner Group, Stamford, Conn.
- Rita Glover, EDA Today, Phoenix, Ariz.;
- Julie Fraser, Industry Directions, Commaquid, Mass.;
- Laurie Balch, Dataquest, San Jose, Calif.;
- Dick Slansky, ARC Advisory Group, Dedham, Mass.;
Bennett was honored for using Syspro's IMPACT Encore and Windows technology to transform itself from a job shop to a make-to-stock manufacturer to meet the needs of a changing market. Said Judge Dick Slansky, senior analyst, ARC Advisory Group, "Bennett exemplifies the vision to see a need for a complete paradigm shift and the willingness to adopt and embrace technology that represented a radical departure from the old business model." During the September 11 awards ceremony, Syspro was also honored as the "Technology Enabler" whose software helped make the Bennett solution possible.
Bennett Tool & Die Co., Inc., is a 50-year-old manufacturer of metal stamping dies. Several years ago company President Jeff Bennett realized that the firm's growth was predicated on its ability to adapt to the needs of a changing market, i.e., a growing base of OEM manufacturers employing the just-in- time (JIT) manufacturing concept. He saw the requirement for the company to shift from a small job shop operation into a make-to-stock manufacturer in order to remain competitive in the marketplace. To facilitate this changeover, Bennett chose Syspro's IMPACT Encore enterprise-wide software and Microsoft Back Office software running on Windows NT as well as a barcode data capture system. Bennett selected an integrated software approach to enable it to handle the complexities of a predominantly make-to-stock manufacturing environment. The solution gives the company total control. It allows the company to formulate bids based on availability of the most accurate cost data as well as to plan and schedule production efficiently and accurately to meet customer demands. In addition, the solution lets Bennett capitalize on the Web to interface with customers, and, most importantly, conduct business from a base of knowledge rather than "gut feel." At Bennett bar code data is captured and transmitted from the factory floor data directly into IMPACT Encore. In addition, mechanized inputs to job cost and payroll (ABRA), AutoCAD, very sophisticated interface into word processing, spread sheets, and email produce a high impact system approach that supports ISO 9000 work, detailed work order procedures and planning. Similarly, the firm employs powerful state-of-the art robotic welding, machine tool control, and all the "right stuff" to speed error free production and lower manufacturing costs.
Bennett's willingness to adapt to the needs of its changing market continues to be validated. Today, eighty percent of Bennett's business is make-to-stock tools, dies, stamped, machined and assembled products for OEMs in a variety of industries.
Jeff Bennett, President, Bennett Tool & Die Co., said of the top prize, "I am honored that Bennett Tool & Die was selected for this award. It is a good feeling when a system works, but there is added satisfaction when your efforts are recognized. The real credit goes to the people who never doubted that we would succeed."
Earlier this year, Software Strategies Magazine also named Bennett Tool & Die "Discrete Manufacturer of the Year."
The Syspro Group is the leader in Strategic (e)Fulfillment, offering IMPACT Encore Enterprise Resource Planning software to small-to-mid-size discrete, batch process and custom manufacturers as well as distributors and departments and divisions of larger companies throughout the Americas. IMPACT Encore is the foundation of Strategic (e)Fulfillment, facilitating supply chain control and e-commerce. Outstanding scalability, highly balanced functionality, and superior price performance characterize the software. Syspro provides a choice of more than 30 application modules covering financial control, sales, purchasing, inventory, forecasting, MRP/production control, distribution, APS and CRM. IMPACT Encore runs on Windows NT, Novell and various flavors of UNIX. Version 5.0 of IMPACT Encore also supports Microsoft SQL and Windows 2000. More than 5,500 Syspro installations have been sold worldwide.
The Syspro Group's U.S. headquarters are located at 959 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. (714) 437-1000. www.sysprousa.com. Bennett Tool & Die Co., Inc. is located at: 910 Cherokee Ave., Nashville, TN 37207. www.bennetttool.com
