Waterloo, Ontario-based Systematix, a world class designer and manufacturer of factory automation machinery, including specialty robotic assembly and test systems for the plastics, electronics, window and door, and automotive industries, has seen tighter margins and shorter lead times. In the absence of good cost control and financial reporting, the company began a search for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

According to Thomas R. Cutler, a manufacturing journalist who profiled Systematix and its selection of Encompix ETO ERP in Canadian Machine Tool Dealer Magazine, “It seems the only constant in the manufacturing sector is change, and Systematix has seen major changes in the past two years.”

“I was pretty much helpless. I decided the highest priority was to put in place tools that could get us accurate and timely financial information, and we quickly zeroed in on Encompix,” said Richard Neidert, president of Systematix. The firm went live in June, 2005, and reports having greater data visibility than in the past. The company also has seen significantly improved accountability. With more timely financial information, Niedert is able to hold his product managers more accountable for keeping their bids up-to-date and tracking estimate-to-complete information. According to Cutler, managing to the bottom line is absolutely critical. “With margins as thin as they are today, any company that doesn’t carefully manage its resources will not be successful,” he said.