Jack Links beefs up ERP solution with MS Dynamics NAV

2012 Case Study: UXC Eclipse has upgraded Microsoft Dynamics NAV, transforming the companys financial reporting, product tracking and business efficiencies...

Jack Link is a real person living in Wisconsin and the company carrying his name is the biggest producer of beef snacks in the world. Jack Links Asia Pacific manufacturing operation is situated in one of the worlds leading grass fed beef producing countries New Zealand. From a 3000 square meter plant up the road from Aucklands International Airport, Jack Links beef snacks are made and exported to markets as diverse as Australia, Korea, UAE, USA, Japan, Singapore and Russia. In 2002, Jack Links implemented an early version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision), a Microsoft-based enterprise relationship management (ERP) solution to manage their financial data. However, with only a few consistent users, they didnt make the most of the inherent functionality and range of reporting and ad hoc enquiry options available. Instead, they chose to maintain their data within disparate silos of information across the organisation. Although we did have an early version of Navision, only a couple of individuals used it and used it for basic finance functionality only, said Mike Millett, commercial manager, Jack Links. In 2009, Jack Links decided to upgrade to the latest version Microsoft Dynamics NAV and finally operate a single data platform with powerful reporting. We had no central repository for our key data and no real-time snapshot of our business and thats absolutely what we needed. Our aim was to drive our ERP software to exactly fit our organisation and to have one integrated system that would be used and understood companywide, said Millett. The challenge Millett managed the implementation process. With previous experience as an ERP consultant, he knew a solid working partnership would be essential to the success of the ERP re-implementation. He knew Eclipse by reputation and was impressed with Eclipses

AT A GLANCE//

CASE STUDY Jack Link INDUSTRY Manufacturing BUSINESS OBJECTIVE The ability to take real-time stock snapshots Removal of information silos SOLUTION Microsoft Dynamics NAV BUSINESS BENEFITS Improved stock control performance The creation of an online repository of key data FOR MORE INFO// UXC Eclipse New Zealand (http://www.eclipsecomputing) (javascript: window.open ('http://www.eclipsecomputing.co.nz','_blank','').focus ()) (javascript: window.open ('http://www.uxceclipse.co.nz','_blank','').focus ()) (javascript: window.open ('http://','_blank','').focus ()) (javascript: window.open ('http://www.uxceclipse.co.nz','_blank','').focus ()) www.uxceclipse (http://www.uxceclipse) .co.nz (mailto:info@eclipsecomputing) info@uxceclipse (mailto:info@uxceclipse) .co.nz 0800 472 962 (tel:0800%20472%20962) UXC Eclipse Australia (http://www.eclipsecomputing) (javascript: window.open ('http://www.uxceclipse.com.au','_blank','').focus ()) (javascript: window.open ('http://www.uxceclipse.com.au','_blank','').focus ()) www.uxceclipse (http://www.uxceclipse) .com.au (mailto:info@eclipsecomputing) info@uxceclipse (mailto:info@uxceclipse) .com.au 1300 660 471 (tel:1300%20660%20471)

FURTHER READING//

reputation and was impressed with Eclipses strong consultancy team available across Australia and New Zealand. This was important as Jack Links has operations on both sides of the Tasman. Put simply we wanted Eclipse to deliver an ERP manufacturing solution that would vastly improve our stock control data and to give us a bigger view of what was going on in our business. Meat is money and we house anywhere up to 1300 tons of meat at one time and at $6 a kilogram were talking a very high cost stock item so its imperative we get an integrated snapshot of our business, he says. For Jack Links Production Manager, Gailene Tukukino, the challenge is having to order, track and control truckloads of seasoning and packaging materials as well as pallets of sugar and other ingredients. Its crucial our stock management is the best it can be if we are to retain efficiencies and ultimately be a profitable exporter, says Tukukino. The outcome Ultimately, Eclipse delivered what we wanted. And we would have to say it was at times a difficult implementation. The biggest challenge for us was getting to grips with what the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV could deliver and how best to utilise it. What we didnt want was an ERP system that dictated to us. We were very clear on that point, says Tukukino. Three months after the upgrade of Navision to version Microsoft Dynamics NAV version 5, Jack Links is already experiencing enhanced reporting, data capture and strategic planning capabilities. I was a total skeptic about all things ERP before the Eclipse implementation. Now Im a big fan and its because my job is so much easier and I trust the system entirely to deliver a live snapshot of our stock on a daily basis. Since this latest Eclipse implementation, Microsoft Dynamics NAV definitely sits at the core of our business and allows easy access to critical decision data. Weve gone from having to sit down and regularly trawl through up to 12 hard copy spreadsheets to gauge our stock control performance, to now being able to instantly access a real-time snapshot. In other words, we have that nirvana of an online repository of key data. Gone are the days of not knowing or having to physically count stock levels once a week. Now we can honestly say weve mastered a pure just in time stock regime control regime. I have empty shelves and I love it! A great example is the ordering of our bulk

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packaging, says Tukukino. Three months ago wed have pallets in stock. Now weve an exact snapshot of what we are using and a precise view of our business essentials, so I order key ingredients and stock as I need them. This is a big change from horror stories of having to write off stock because of over-ordering. Microsoft Dynamics NAV has provided both operational and reporting efficiencies. From improvements in stock ordering and tracking, to streamlined accounts periods eliminating manual based procedures, improving processing times and ultimately reducing unnecessary administrative costs. As we are a US-based company, we have 13 accounting periods per year. Each accounts period used to take us two weeks to work through our invoicing accruals to understand in dollars terms our stock value. The need for accruals has now gone and need now just three days which is a considerable time and money saver, Millett concluded. FOR MORE INFORMATION// UXC Eclipse New Zealand www.uxceclipse.co.nz (javascript: window.open ('http://www.uxceclipse.co.nz','_blank','').focus ()) info@uxceclipse.co.nz (mailto:info@uxceclipse.co.nz) 0800 472 962 (tel:0800%20472%20962) UXC Eclipse Australia www.uxceclipse.com.au (javascript: window.open ('http://www.uxceclipse.com.au','_blank','').focus ()) info@uxceclipse.com.au (mailto:info@uxceclipse.com.au) 1300 660 471 (tel:1300%20660%20471)

12/08/28_ex_h_nl

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