Overview
For more than 20 years, DMS Technologies has supplied batteries and other bespoke power systems to a broad range of industries, including aviation, defence, transportation and telecommunications. Seven years ago, following a period of consistent growth, the company realised the need for a more flexible financial and manufacturing control system if it was to sustain its strong sales performance.
Since implementing a Lakeview solution DMS Technologies has doubled its turnover, yet now manages the enlarged business with a smaller accounts team than previously. At the same time, Lakeview has provided a level of service support which, believes managing director, Malcolm Winter, “is as good as you’ll get.”
Challenge
In looking to overcome the drawbacks of the previous Pegasus accounting system, DMS Technologies wanted a management system which would provide better manufacturing control. “We recognised that a full-blown MRP system would be inappropriate for our size,” confirms Winter, “and, after researching the market, selected Lakeview as offering the ideally scalable software solution for our accounting and manufacturing needs.”
DMS Technologies typically manufactures around 300 different products from more than 2,000 parts. In managing this process, Lakeview enables manufacturing to maintain tight control over bills of materials and all other aspects of the procurement and assembly process.
Solution
The standard solution offered most of the functionality required, with little customisation needed. For example, the Lakeview tool’s inherent ability to drill down and ensure complete records of materials was particularly important, as DMS Technologies required full traceability to meet both customer requirements and its ISO9001 quality standard.
“When we implemented the LM system, there was great emphasis on Lakeview training our staff to get the most from the enhanced management capabilities offered,” he recalls.
“Changing over from our previous solution was the most complex task the business had undertaken. Yet the combination of Lakeview’s flexible, easy to use software development approach and comprehensive training and support meant that the two-month period of parallel running went smoothly and staff were able to derive real benefit from our Lakeview investment almost from day one.”
At the outset, some modifications were made to Lakeview’s reporting and documentation tools, to meet specific works order requirements including detailed picking list and quality information, together with inspection status card data.
Once established, DMS Technologies added additional functionality such as Lakeview’s fixed asset register. “However, in extending our Lakeview investment, our goal has remained the same,” says Winter, “namely to put in place a cost-effective accounting system with extended manufacturing capability which meets the needs of a company the size and type of DMS Technologies.”
Results
Since implementation the now 40-strong company has doubled in size, to nearly £6 million annual turnover, yet the Lakeview system allows DMS Technologies to continue to manage and grow without a similar increase in staffing.
The initial software purchase was DOS-based, with the subsequent transition to a Windows-based system smooth and seamless. Similarly with hardware, DMS Technologies have purchased two replacement servers and associated support from Lakeview, which Winter describes as “first class”.
Overall, he believes that, “the support provided by Lakeview has been consistently excellent and, in my experience, provides an object lesson to other, much larger, IT suppliers."
“If any issues arise, we are able to talk directly to Lakeview’s engineers and programmers who are both willing and able to address any problems promptly and efficiently. In short, in terms of both its software solution and support, Lakeview gives us exactly what we want.”