All-encompassing software from Exel Computer Systems

Business is becoming ever more connected and integrated – fuelled primarily by customer demand which in turn is driving rapid, seismic developments in software, systems and technology. If you’re looking for a long-term ERP/MRP software partner that ticks all the right boxes in terms of knowledge, infrastructure, flexibility and experience, you should definitely consider adding Midlands-based Exel Computer Systems to your shortlist. Dave Tudor reports.   

Not all ERP/MRP systems are created equally – but to be fair, it’s all about satisfying a need. Accounting software aside, there are still a substantial number of manufacturing companies not using software systems at all, preferring instead to use more ‘manual’ methods which inevitably means spreadsheets.

The ‘if it isn’t broke don’t fix it’ philosophy possibly applies here, but in my opinion, practically all manufacturing companies would benefit significantly from investing in ERP/MRP/production control/accounting software to glue all the constituent elements of the business together: sales orders, quotations, purchasing, stock control, production control, scheduling, despatch – and everything in between. Who doesn’t want to operate more efficiently?

Exel started life way back in 1985. Back then, computer systems were predominantly built on mainframe architecture, but the advent of the personal computer (PC) quite literally changed everything: “Our founder, Dr John Ellis, who sadly passed away recently, saw a gap in the marketplace as personal computers gained traction,” explains Exel Computer Systems’ managing director, Rue Dilhe.

“From day one, John focused on providing software solutions to manufacturing companies – a philosophy that remains the cornerstone of our business today. In the early days, capacity planning was one of the biggest headaches manufacturers faced so that was our main focus, but over the years, as our customers have evolved, so have we. EFACS E/8 is an all-encompassing full-blown ERP/MRP platform that we’re able to customise to suit a customer’s specific application. It’s 100% developed and supported in-house.”

Tailored to perfection

In terms of its architecture, I’m struggling to find anything that EFACS E/8 doesn’t cover. It interfaces with handheld, tablet and wall-mounted devices (shopfloor status screens and dashboards for example) and comprises a whole host of modules that span all operational aspects of a business: accounting, sales order processing, enquiries, stock control, production scheduling, field service, document control, e-commerce, shopfloor data collection and customer relationship management (CRM) – it’s all there.

“There’s a set of core modules that cover the fundamental needs of most manufacturing businesses that we supply as standard, but the if clients need additional functionality, we can simply switch those additional modules on as required,” Mr Dilhe advises. “We’re very thorough in evaluating exactly what a customer needs right from the start so the final package we supply will be tailored accordingly. Effectively, every sale is different.

“Also,” he continues, “there’s plenty of scope for developing new modules. Sometimes customers will approach us with an idea to improve the software and if we think others will benefit we’re happy to invest time and resources in it. We also get involved with bespoke, one-off projects for customers that need something highly specific and unique to them. We’re totally flexible in that regard.”

Manufacturing companies are often reluctant to change their accounting software, preferring instead to stick with what they know and are familiar with. Most ERP/MRP developers offer an accounting module, but more often than not, the take-up is somewhat restrained.

With Exel, it’s the polar opposite: “I would say that 99% of our customer base use the accounting module included with EFACS,” Mr Dilhe reveals. “That’s not surprising. It’s a very comprehensive package that includes nominal, sales and purchase ledgers as well as cash book, fixed assets, and product and job costing.

“The most important part however is that it’s fully integrated and operationally seamless with the EFACS platform. Customers don’t have to worry about their accounting software releasing an update and it not being compatible with their MRP system because with us, it’s all part of the same software. Compatibility is guaranteed. It just works. Everything we do is all about developing efficient workflows.” 

Another really innovative aspect of the EFACS E/8 ERP/MRP platform is the Customisation Toolkit – a module that enables users to fine tune the software for their own particular needs. “We can handle this on behalf of clients but our preferred route is to train a small group of people within a customer’s organisation to become superusers,” Mr Dilhe explains.

“The toolkit enables customers to customise the software – and there are a number of reasons for wanting to do that. It may be to generate a specific report, change screen formats or automate certain processes – the possibilities are endless  It’s a useful feature that many of our clients really like.”       

Happy staff, happy customers

With 98 employees and a turnover in excess of £10 million, Exel is a substantial business in every respect – probably one of the biggest ERP/MRP solution providers in the UK in fact. A whopping 45 members of staff across six teams are employed in software development roles – a clear indication that EFACS E/8 is constantly evolving and improving.

And it must be doing something right – many of its clients have been customers for more than 20 years and turnover of staff is extremely low. Rue Dilhe is a veteran of 27 years.   

Another long-term employee with 30 years under his belt is sales and marketing manager Jonathan Orme. He believes that the depth of knowledge and experience at Exel is a differentiating factor in the marketplace.

“At the end of the day, arguably, software is software,” he says. “The real skill however is in the implementation and really understanding and fulfilling the customer’s needs and requirements. Our reputation over the years has been built on the quality of our software, our exemplary levels of service and support and perhaps most importantly the positive impact the software has had in improving efficiency and profitability. We like to build longstanding relationships with our clients.”

EFACS E/8 can be run either in the Cloud or on a local server, and whatever your platform of choice, the software is accessed via a web browser. It operates on a wide range of operating systems and leading databases and integrates and communicates seamlessly with 3^rd party systems (your company website for example for online sales or booking service visits) via industry standard protocols. 

The move over to Cloud operations is gathering momentum and it’ll soon be the norm. The advantages are well documented but the migration over will take time. Jonathan Orme says most of Exel’s clients are still using a dedicated server (hardware or virtual) to host EFACS, but the trend is shifting.

“Many manufacturing companies simply don’t have IT staff to look after servers so it makes sense to outsource that aspect out to a third party company like Exel who can take responsibility for it. Plus, users have the assurance that they’ll always be using the most up to date version of the software and they don’t have to worry about backups and security. It’s something we’re happy to manage.” 

Customer diversity

Although manufacturing is at the heart of Exel Computer Systems’ 500 strong customer base, its diversity within the sector is notable. Many businesses are somewhat reluctant to include details of their customers in the public domain, but not Exel as a quick perusal around its website reveals.

In fact, there are no fewer than 38 case studies available spanning a diverse range of companies and specialities. How about Mettis Aerospace, a leading designer, manufacturer and assembler of precision forged and machined components; or CBE+ an engineering company specialising in electroless metal plating, gear cutting and lab services?

Or Siderise – a manufacturer of insulation products; or perhaps Gen 2 Carbon which operates the world’s largest carbon fibre recycling plant. Then there’s Orbital Fabrications, a stainless steel welding and assembly specialist; and Safestyle windows and doors. MRT Castings in Andover and Mini Gears in Stockport are also on the list of satisfied users. Manufacturing does indeed come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

“Although our customers are mainly UK-centric, EFACS software is currently being used in 39 countries worldwide,” Mr Dilhe adds. “The fact that it’s browser orientated and integrates so well with third party systems, means it’s very accessible.”

All part of the service

About 10 years ago, Exel developed a suite of modules (Eagle Field Service) tailored to suit service companies. Today, this still forms part of the EFACS E/8 system, and can integrate with it, but it’s designed to operate autonomously if required. As Rue Dilhe reveals, the development of this product was entirely customer driven.       

“When we first went out to market, field service companies, quite understandably, didn’t need the manufacturing elements of our software so we developed a separate module, Eagle Field Service software, that could be run as a standalone product if required,” he explains.

“But things have changed: nowadays service companies tend to need other functionality such as stock control for spares and CRM so they purchase other modules as well. From our perspective, it’s all part of the same software platform and just a package of modules in a whole suite of modules – it’s just that Eagle is branded and licenced differently and targets a potentially different audience.”

Like all companies Exel was forced to adapt to the pandemic and quickly moved all of its staff to working from home. The business is now able to provide all of its sales, consulting and support services remotely and has implemented systems without visiting site when necessary.

Exel Computer Systems
www.exel.co.uk