CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
19 April 2011
Implementation Investments
Leading Australian Manufacturer Wilson Transformer Company Expands Use of Epicor® With Migration to Latest ERP Solution
Epicor Software Corporation has announced that Wilson Transformer Company, a leading Australian manufacturer of power and distribution transformers, will implement the next-generation Epicor enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. The company will be the first customer in Australia and New Zealand to implement the solution’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) capability.
With over 650 employees based in Australia, Wilson Transformer Company works collaboratively with its customers, using its experience and know-how in engineering, manufacturing and logistics, to provide tailored solutions to satisfy customer requirements. Wilson Transformer Company also has two specialised manufacturing operations based in Victoria, one for Power Transformers in Glen Waverley and the other for Distribution Transformers in Wodonga.
Wilson Transformer Company selected Epicor ERP through Epicor’s strategic partner, COGITA, which has worked with Epicor for more than ten years. COGITA, who was recently named “Global Partner of the Year” by Epicor for the third consecutive year, sells and supports Epicor ERP products, for design-to-order, make-to-order, engineer-to-order, configure-to-order and mixed-mode manufacturing companies in the private sector.
Wilson Transformer Company’s decision to opt for the Epicor ERP solution was based, in part, on the success the company has enjoyed to date using the Epicor Vantage solution. Wilson Transformer currently uses the Vantage solution to support its financial management system and logistics operations. More specifically, the company was vigorously searching for a robust PLM system.
“While we were very happy with the capabilities offered by the Vantage solution, we knew that the platform and upgrade path offered by Epicor’s next-generation ERP solution was ultimately a better fit for our organisation as we continue to grow,” said Ed Wilson, General Manager, Power Business Unit at Wilson Transformer Company. “In particular we were also impressed with the product lifecycle management capability offered through Epicor ERP. We have been looking for a comprehensive PLM system for some time. Given the nature of our business, it is critical we have access to, and complete visibility of all information pertaining to a specific product including specifications, design, client liaison, service, maintenance, manufacture and procurement terms. Ultimately we wanted an end-to-end solution that would enable is to generate greater efficiencies in terms of design, production and engineering workflows.”
“The out of the box integration of the PLM system with Epicor, as well as its integration with other third party systems including 3D CAD, was a huge draw for us. In addition, the modern technology and flexible platform of Epicor ERP, which is built on Microsoft .NET technology, was also a very attractive proposition. By upgrading from Vantage to Epicor ERP, we have the best of both worlds: we still retain a strong ERP infrastructure but now have the added integrated PLM component, which we have been striving for, for some time. Knowing we will work closely with COGITA for the initial implementation and for ongoing support is also a huge comfort for us,” explained Guy Barnsley, Mechanical Engineering Manager at Wilson Transformer Company, Power Business Unit.
Roger Fairgray, client services director for COGITA said, “We are delighted that Wilson Transformer Company is expanding its engagement with Epicor by leveraging the increased functionality and scope of embedded modules that Epicor ERP has to offer, including: Advanced Planning and Scheduling, Maintenance Management, Enterprise Quality Assurance, Enterprise Performance Management, as well as expanding to PLM.”
For more information about Wilson Transformer Company please visit: http://www.wtc.com.au/ .
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