New surface disinfecting machine drives growth, need for improved ERP

OptiPro Manufacturing provides a one-stop-shop manufacturing solution that gives manufacturers’ complete control of and visibility into manufacturing processes from start to finish. As the first OEM partner in SAP’s global PartnerEdge Program, OptiPro Manufacturing’s solution is embedded into SAP Business One’s core ERP and financial modules.

Los Angeles-based EDIC has been manufacturing professional cleaning equipment since 1975. Over the past three years, the company has created several new cleaning machines that have helped the company grow more than 18 percent annually.

Several months ago, the company created a surface disinfecting machine called the Counter Strike Surface Disinfecting System that it sells through distributors. The Counter Strike has been a hit with schools, hotels, building owners and cleaning contractors needing to further improve surface disinfecting practices due to COVID-19.

New Cleaning Machines Increase Sales

The new machines have helped EDIC increase sales despite the pandemic. But as it tried to manage that additional growth, it became apparent that they needed a new, modern ERP system to help streamline operations and fulfill customer and employee needs.

Using a very old version of Epicor and an MRP system with outdated workflows left EDIC with disconnected manual and paper-based systems.“We needed something more modern where everything – CRM, accounting, production, manufacturing, shipping and customer service – is connected to gain visibility into what’s happening throughout the organization,” said Paul Jacobs, operations manager.

EDIC considered Epicor, NetSuite, ECi, and abas ERP before selecting OptiPro Manufacturing integrated with SAP Business One for Manufacturing. “We chose OptiPro Manufacturing because it was easy to use and able to do everything we wanted as far as manufacturing goes without it seeming complicated,” said Jacobs. “I was also comfortable and confident that OptiPro Manufacturing was going to provide good support and service.”

Increase Efficiency and Gain Real-time Information

EDIC’s legacy system from Epicor could not handle material changes or mass replacements nor could it provide critical information needed for warranty repairs, said Jacobs. “OptiPro Manufacturing is a very clean system that will allow us to adjust parts and provide full visibility throughout the life of a machine and what went into that machine, which is very valuable,” he said.

When fully deployed later this year, Jacobs expects OptiPro Manufacturing will provide much greater production and manufacturing efficiencies as well as better and more timely communication for its employees.“We were constantly chasing our tail, losing parts, throwing things away, and risked losing customers because we couldn’t ship on time or provide them a real-time status on their order, “Jacobs said. “It is time for us to stop the stress involved with constantly rushing around and gain the information we need to make us more efficient, which OptiPro Manufacturing will help us do.”