Sparks Belting: AUX Implementation Success Story

Posted on: July 17, 2024 | By: Meaghan Andrews | QAD Manufacturing, QAD Business Process

Summary

Sparks Belting Company, A JSJ Business, completed a successful implementation of QAD’s Adaptive ERP and the AUX interface with Logan Consulting providing business process, project management, and QAD functional and technical expertise. This project was completed significantly under budget and one month earlier than originally planned.

 

The Client

Sparks Belting is a Grand Rapids, MI based organization that manufactures, fabricates, distributes, and installs conveyor belting, modular plastic belting, urethane timing belts, and motorized pulleys. Sparks has been in operation for over 75 years and has multiple facilities in the U.S. and Mexico.

 

The Opportunity

Sparks was running an old, highly customized version of M2K that was impeding Sparks’ ability to support its growth goals. Additionally, M2K was lacking modern features and functions that were forcing manual workarounds, Excel spreadsheets, etc. Lastly, it impeded the ability to onboard new employees as the user interface was not intuitive and functionality and reporting were scattered across multiple disjointed functions. To address these issues, Sparks required a modern ERP platform that would reduce complexity and speed all workflows.

After Logan Consulting performed discovery around Sparks’ M2K processes and overall business requirements, Logan delivered a proof-of-concept demonstration using QAD’s Adaptive ERP. This demonstration was successful, so Sparks engaged Logan Consulting to manage the implementation project and work hand-in-hand with Sparks’ Project Manager, Business Analysts, and Subject Matter Experts to Design, Test, and Implement the future state in QAD.

 

The Solution

Logan Consulting and Sparks had a strong and successful partnership throughout the implementation project that went live on May 6, 2024, a full month earlier than originally planned. Sparks focused on maximizing automation in as many places as possible to speed workstreams, such as Quotes and Orders to Customers, Production Planning, Production Scheduling, and Month-End Close, to name a few. Their vision was also to create a better, more effective employee experience that would ultimately deliver a better Customer experience.

 

Basic Components of the Implementation:

    • QAD’s Adaptive ERP using the AUX interface
    • Avalara for Sales and Use Tax Reporting
    • DocLib for AP Automation
    • Pro2SQL for PowerBI Reporting

 

The Results

By implementing QAD’s Adaptive ERP, Sparks was able to recognize the following results and benefits:

    • Disposition of the legacy ERP on-premises licensing and maintenance which hindered M. Sparks’ agility
    • Eliminated the risk of hardware and software failure by moving to the Cloud
    • Implemented Banking Integration to automate payments and reconciliations through the Bank
    • Implemented the QAD Configurator to automate Quote and Order product configuration in a more user-friendly and intuitive manner
    • Automated purchased finished goods through QAD’s Enterprise Material Transfer process
    • Redesigned Item Numbering and Lot Control to more easily manage and plan slit rolls of belting material
    • The QAD AUX interface significantly reduced training for new users due to its intuitive look-and-feel and functionality.

 

 

Next Steps

If you are interested in QAD Adaptive ERP and AUX implementation, contact us here to find out how we can help you grow your business. You can also email us at info@loganconsulting.com or call (312) 345-8817.