In the heart of Indiana, where innovation met craftsmanship, a fan manufacturing company emerged in the world of ceiling fan design. For nearly three decades, this once-small shop had blossomed into a thriving international business, crafting unique, high-quality, and innovative ceiling fans that have reached more than twenty-three countries worldwide.

Cookie-Cutter ERP Software Wasn’t an Option

The founder’s vision extended beyond the visible design elements of their ceiling fans – he understood the importance of the intricate parts that clients did not see. As the company continued to evolve and gain recognition as an industry leader, the challenges of scalability and keeping up with the growing demand became apparent.

Growth Requires Change

Faced with the limitations of their original proprietary accounting system, the company sought a solution that could seamlessly integrate with their expanding business. An Elite AccountMate Business Partner renowned for solving strategic business challenges stepped in to assess their business needs. After an in-depth analysis, it was recommended the implementation of AccountMate SQL’s financial management system, known for its open architecture and scalability.

Tackling Challenges and Creating Solutions with Customization

The first challenge to tackle was the tracking of incoming intermodal container shipments from manufacturers in Asia. The Business Partner ingeniously created an in-transit warehouse within AccountMate, complete with a unique bin nomenclature system. This system referenced the estimated arrival date as the assigned bin number, simplifying the freight transportation process and providing quick access to reliable product availability dates.

For this fan manufacturing company, with over 70 different models, each with numerous unique attributes, managing comprehensive inventory data was crucial. AccountMate’s flexibility to provide custom data entry screens and reports, along with a user-friendly way of importing/exporting values to/from Microsoft Excel streamlines processes, allowing this company to track and utilize more than a hundred product-specific attributes with ease.

Industry-Specific Integrations Deliver Real-time Data

The challenge of order tracking, with over 6,000 retail customer locations in the United States, was met with AccountMate’s seamless integration of industry-specific solutions. A shipping integration allowed the company to retrieve shipping costs, price appropriately, and provide instant tracking information to retailers via the internet in real-time.

Customization and Collaboration = Results (and Revenue)

The result of this software customization was profound. The fan manufacturing company tripled its revenue in a decade, expanded warehouses nationwide, and witnessed significant customer growth. The software not only provided a robust business solution that scaled with their considerable sales but also facilitated ongoing expansion of functionality.

This story highlights how customization and collaboration with the right software partner could be the driving force behind growth and innovation.

To truly unlock the power of customization, it’s essential to work closely with experienced ERP consultants and vendors who can guide you through the selection and implementation process, ensuring that your ERP system aligns with your business’s immediate needs and long-term vision.

Are you considering a new ERP system? Contact our experts! We have local solution providers who can help you navigate the process. Contact us now or call 707-774-7537 to talk to someone about your specific needs.