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The Window Industry is characterized by highly customized, customer
specified finished goods, that are defined and developed from
within a product line framework that is structured as dimensional
and option
oriented. These characteristics are consistent within both the
new construction and replacement marketplaces, as well as across
wood,
vinyl and aluminum product types. As these markets continue to
mature and expand, the complexities associated with this type
of business
model translate into operational and technological challenges
that must be addressed by Window manufacturers to be successful.
Some
of these challenges include:
- Increased Product Complexity: Changing market
conditions dictate increased product line options, finishes,
glass types and combination
units with complex grid patterns. Coordination across all departments
is required to maintain the existing product lines and effectively
roll out changes and new product lines as required.
- Reduced Lead Times: Competitive pressures
have forced the overall order fulfillment lead times to be reduced.
The actual production
lead times are a small part of this overall lead time and relatively
constant, forcing attention to other areas of the business
for reductions and efficiencies.
- Sales Automation: Increased access to technology
within the Dealer, Customer and Sales base has put pressure on
Window manufacturers
to provide automated tools for pricing, quoting and the tracking
of order information. The ability to deliver and support this
type
of automation requires specialized applications and skill sets
that may not be currently available within the organization.
- Technology Integration: Technology improvements
throughout the supply chain have placed an increased demand on
the availability
and access to business information. Dealer business systems,
manufacturing
equipment, and material suppliers are just a few examples where
business information integration is required across multiple
platforms.
Friedman Corporation offers
a configuration-based ERP application solution that has been specifically
designed to address these and many additional challenges facing
the Window Industry - Frontier for Windows. Frontier for Windows
is targeted at mid to large sized Window manufacturers. Frontier
represents a fully integrated suite of application software modules,
built upon the foundation of a table-based, dimensional Product
Configuration module. The functionality of the product Configurator,
along with the supporting application modules, has been designed
to streamline all activities associated with the order fulfillment
process; from Dealer quotes to sales orders, production scheduling
to material optimization, product tracking to truck loading, performance
measurement to after sales service.
Over the years, Friedman
Corporation has developed extensive Window Industry operational
and software implementation experience. Friedman Corporation consultants
have documented this experience in the form of an implementation
methodology, COMPASS, that has been proven to be a highly effective
method of defining, executing, and tracking all aspects of a Friedman
Corporation software implementation project. The Window Industry
specific functionality within the Frontier application, along with
this extensive Industry expertise, ensures that Window manufacturers
will be successful in achieving their business objectives within
an aggressive implementation timeline. The successful implementation
of a Friedman Corporation software solution has provided existing
Friedman customers with initial and ongoing benefits to their business,
including:
- Dramatic reductions of overall order cycle time by integrating
all operational and technical aspects of a complex, make-to-order
Window manufacturing business.
- Development of strategic relationships with Dealer, Customer
and Sales channels by providing the required tools to effectively
quote and sell complex, option-oriented products.
- Improved efficiencies across all aspects of the organization,
allowing Window manufacturers to support substantial growth trends
with limited increases in staffing and the associated labor and
overhead costs.
- The realization of extensive cost reductions (inventory, scrap,
procurement) by integrating all aspects of the supply chain,
from internal component production to outside material suppliers.
- Reduction of order errors and manual “special orders” that
are processed thru the introduction and leveraging of an integrated
product Configurator.
- Improved responsiveness to changing market conditions by providing
a centralized product specification and pricing engine across
all sales order channels (internal, Dealer, Internet, Sales Rep).
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