How a global manufacturer overcame ERP hurdles
15-20%
empower.x saved the change management team an estimated 15-20% of its typical work.
14
The initiative needed to update systems at 14 sites across the U.S.
4 in 4
After updating the first 3 sites, the team accelerated to update 4 more sites in just 4 weeks.
At a glance
Client
Global pipe manufacturer
Industry
Manufacturing
Our role
Realign the tech strategy
Our solution
Aligned and executed a new strategy
Smooth implementation at multiple sites
Scenario
A manufacturer had outdated ERP solutions across multiple sites.
Approach
Grant Thornton implemented an Oracle solution, with empower.x to drive preparation and change readiness.
Result
The use of empower.x saved 15-20% of implementation change management work.
Scenario
Outdated systems at the end of support
A global manufacturer of pipe, tubing and cable acquired several of its competitors, which gave it 45 sites across the U.S. Fourteen of those sites were using the same 30-year-old enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that controlled operations, procurement and accounts payable. The outdated system was nearing the end of support, so the company needed to efficiently consolidate and upgrade the ERP solution.
The manufacturer needed a more modern and streamlined way to control operations, procurement and accounts payable across 14 sites nationwide.
Approach
An update with insight
Grant Thornton established an implementation team and project management office to work with the company’s core team of 20 SMEs. To replace the ERP solution, the company chose the Oracle JD Edwards solution tailored to its needs. “What makes this solution different is that it was designed for manufacturing,” said Grant Thornton Transformation Director Doug Thompson. However, the company knew that multi-site implementations can be hard to manage, as they had gone through a few similar projects that were largely deemed unsuccessful by internal participants due to poor communication and improper planning. “I always say that bad change management sounds like raised voices and slamming doors,” Thompson said.
To drive successful adoption and results, Grant Thornton project management and change management specialists used the empower.x readiness module that measured change readiness for each business team up front, then again after training as a confirmation of progress and preparation. The team used the empower.x communications module to track updates to employees, the training module to organize education, the impact assessment module to assess outcomes and the dashboards to look across all of the solution’s modules. “As we got near each cutover date, we were able to use the dashboards to really show the client their progress,” Thompson said. “That was a significant help in determining the ‘go’ criteria from our leaders."
Result
Efficient and effective
“We’ve had 14 successful launches and the initial project is complete,” Thompson said. The client has asked us to lead the OCM effort for the remaining sites in North America, and we have already launched an additional seven sites.
The program’s success inspired the manufacturer to update ERPs across all U.S. sites, to streamline reporting and processes for accountability. Thompson explained, “empower.x has enabled us to put metrics around change management, and in a much easier fashion.” empower.x capabilities saved the change management team an estimated 15-20% of its typical work by standardizing and streamlining activities. Now, the team doesn’t need to depend on spreadsheets to track the various threads of change readiness, communication, education and more. The communication module’s calendar display offers one clear view of past and upcoming messages. “Overall, empower.x provides greater awareness and visibility of what's happening in the change practitioner world, and what change methodology is doing for you," Thompson said.
The manufacturer achieved a more streamlined implementation with success that inspired it to expand implementations across more sites.
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This Grant Thornton Advisors LLC content provides information and comments on current issues and developments. It is not a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter covered. It is not, and should not be construed as, accounting, legal, tax, or professional advice provided by Grant Thornton Advisors LLC. All relevant facts and circumstances, including the pertinent authoritative literature, need to be considered to arrive at conclusions that comply with matters addressed in this content.
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