Steel Grip Makes the Most of ABS From Aptean With Upgrade and Cloud Migration
Steel Grip Makes the Most of ABS From Aptean With Upgrade and Cloud Migration
Industry
Protective Apparel
Challenges
» Time-consuming manual processes
» Under-utilized system functionality
» Complex inventory management
Benefits
» Streamlined workflows based on best practices
» Greater visibility into and control over stock
» Peace of mind with support and system continuity
Steel Grip makes tough gear for tough jobs. Whether it’s one of the many varieties of protective gloves that have evolved from the company’s original namesake product or a full-body Pyrad suit for the electrical industry, the business is known for manufacturing apparel that keeps workers safe, even in the most hazardous of conditions.
With a history stretching back to the early 1900s, more than 3,000 products and several locations—one in Danville, Illinois, the headquarters; two in Indiana; a warehouse in Texas; and an affiliated company in Mexico—Steel Grip’s operations are complex.
Until relatively recently, the business was using an outdated version of ABS From Aptean with a on-premises deployment, and only leveraging a few functionalities of the solution. As the next generation of Steel Grip leadership has emerged, this suboptimal setup was identified as a barrier, and the opportunity for improvement was embraced.
“When we started the consulting and analysis process, we realized that not only was the system not set up correctly, but we also weren’t using it correctly,” said Bobby Hall, IT manager. “We were doing the majority of our processes manually when actually the system could handle it for us.”
“We’ve had ABS for almost 25 years now, but we weren’t really using ABS,” added Tamiko McGurk, accounting manager. “When the system was first implemented, they decided to pick and choose what they’d use while developing workarounds to maintain old internally developed processes. Rather than letting the system do its job and do it well, we were working against ourselves.”
After careful consideration, the decision was made to upgrade to the latest version of ABS From Aptean and migrate to the cloud for re-implementation on the Software as a Service (SaaS) model. It’s already proven to be a wise choice, with immediate benefits unlocked and more to be reaped down the road.
Steel Grip’s digital transformation is an ongoing journey, and a story worth sharing.
“Prior to going live with the latest version, we were manually allocating every order—literally every order. Setting up the rules in the system to automatically cut tickets for orders, even when we don’t have on-hand inventory, has been huge.”
Bobby Hall, IT Manager, Steel Grip
Technology Facilitates Optimized Process Implementation
While ABS From Aptean has been the system of record at Steel Grip for more than two decades, it was underutilized by staff, and many tasks that could be facilitated by the software were still being conducted manually. Inefficient processes persisted and were still subject to human error.
“Prior to going live with the latest version, we were manually allocating every order—literally every order,” said Hall. “We have our made-to-order products, as well as our stock products, and neither were in the system prior. Setting up the rules in the system to automatically cut tickets for orders, even when we don’t have on-hand inventory, has been huge.”
Meanwhile, the solution enabled Steel Grip to re-optimize its shipping department, which is now capable of handling twice as much product per day compared to before. What’s more, a challenge unique to the business, the issue of inventorying “cut-alongs” (the company’s internal term for excess material left behind after initial cuts that can be re-purposed) has been solved by the software.
“We figured out what fields we needed, and the Aptean team programmatically created a component master for every cut-along part,” Hall explained. “From there, we developed a process to track, requisition those parts and inventory them. We just went live with it, and so far it’s going really well.”
With cut-alongs accounted for and all styles now set up correctly on the backend, the company plans to implement barcode scanning to further streamline workflows and reduce the risk of error. The Steel Grip team has soft-launched new barcode-compatible labels as they determine the ideal timing for this big step forward.
“That’s one of the things I like most about Aptean—we can develop new processes at our own pace, and there’s no pressure to push them out,” said Hall. “We can do it on our time, when we’re ready, feeling comfortable and confident in the process. We’re not being rushed through it and opening ourselves up to vulnerabilities.”
Cloud Hosting Provides Peace of Mind and Stability
Historically, the leaders at Steel Grip had been hesitant to consider cloud hosting for the organization’s software. But as McGurk and Hall have assumed additional responsibilities and grown in their roles, they’ve consistently championed the idea, and with the help of the Aptean consulting team eventually garnered the necessary buy-in to make the move.
“From an executive standpoint, we know that with change, there is always apprehension,” McGurk said. “This project was so huge for us. It took an astronomical amount of our time because we took so long to get upgraded and migrated. Now that we’ve done it and everyone is up to speed, no one has had any issues with the transition, and we can take a deep breath.”
The immediate improvements have been significant, from greater system responsiveness and decreased latency to lower costs and reduced internal IT needs. Data backups are conducted automatically, cybersecurity is stronger, audits are less daunting and operational continuity is ensured.
“Just having the peace of mind that there’s basically zero chance of the system going down, that makes me feel better,” said Hall. “In the past, just doing an initial program load took several hours, and that was very stressful because any time the system’s not up, it’s costing us money. So knowing that’s not going to be an issue anymore is big for me.”
The process of simultaneously upgrading and migrating ABS From Aptean to the cloud has allowed Steel Grip to break down departmental silos, clean up data and increase adoption among employees. Plus, Aptean now handles maintenance of the software, alleviating staff of demands on their time and enabling them to concentrate their efforts on what they do best.
“You have to leverage your strengths while relying on others to back you up and give you the support to use your resources wisely,” McGurk said. “As a company, you rely on your people and your processes. Moving to the cloud has given key personnel time to focus on critical projects for the company, and that’s made them better employees.”
“Aptean has had a vested interest in us. We’re not just a number. We’re not just a customer. They’ve all jumped in whenever we’ve needed them and held our hand through the process. They’ve really been partners with us, rather than us just being a client.”
Tamiko McGurk, Accounting Manager, Steel Grip
Outstanding Support Strengthens Long-Term Partnership
Already strong and highly effective, the working relationship between the Steel Grip and Aptean teams has been further bolstered through the process of working on the upgrade and migration project together. Open communication, collaborative problem-solving and inherent trust have been the hallmarks of the partnership.
“It’s clear that Aptean offers the complete package as far as analysis, implementation and support,” Hall said. “A lot of the time when you’re dealing with a company of this size, you get one or two of those, but with Aptean, you do get all three. And what’s great is, there aren’t any low points in service and support, even when they’re busy. We never feel like we’re not a priority, and that’s refreshing, for sure.”
Whether it’s responding to inquiries on system functionality or thinking creatively to configure ABS From Aptean to work for Steel Grip’s specialized processes and products, Aptean’s dedicated professionals are always responsive and up to the task. They’ve taken the time to answer all questions, explain procedures thoroughly and conduct proper training to ensure the software can be leveraged to the fullest extent.
“From the very beginning, we’ve discussed every step in the process. They’ve had a vested interest in us,” said McGurk. “We’re not just a number. We’re not just a customer. They’ve all jumped in whenever we’ve needed them and held our hand through the process. They’ve really been partners with us, rather than us just being a client.”
“They’ve been great. They stepped up and went through the plan a dozen times with us from start to finish,” Hall added. “I have never dealt with a company as hands-on as that. It’s a blessing because I know that if I have an issue, I don’t have to worry about looking for third-party software to cover the gap. Aptean is going to find a way to make it happen for us.”
Trusting in Aptean’s Cloud Solutions for True Digital Transformation
Once the initial resistance to change was broken down and the decision to move forward with the upgrade and migration was made, Steel Grip and Aptean harnessed the power of teamwork to ensure that ABS From Aptean could be implemented and utilized to deliver maximum value.
“When I first assumed this role, I had all these numbers flying at me that were pieced together. There was not a clear picture of how the numbers from one department affected those of another department,” McGurk said. “Now, we’re finally using the system as a whole, so that all our information is tied together. That’s been one of the biggest changes.”
The human touch from the provider’s side was a noteworthy difference-maker. From the initial analysis and on-site visits for training to going live with the upgrade and further refining system configuration for optimal results, Steel Grip’s team has been able to rely on Aptean for whatever assistance they need.
“How much Aptean has supported us has impressed me,” said Hall. “That’s not common in the software industry. And it’s not just that we’re getting technical support. There’s a lot of professional development going on here. Without that aspect, I don’t think we could have done this, honestly.”
As far as words of wisdom to share with business leaders considering cloud migration of key systems, Hall has some simple and unambiguous advice. Consider it a ringing endorsement for moving to the SaaS model and modernizing operations with the latest technology.
“Just do it,” he said. “Go in with an open mind and follow the facts. If you were to fill in columns for pros and cons of cloud migration, you’d quickly realize the pros far outweigh any potential cons. And don’t undervalue peace of mind—that has value, especially for a company of our size.”
ABS From Aptean is the complete package for apparel businesses, offering functionalities for supply chain management, shop floor control, customer service, finances and more. Available for flexible cloud implementations that provide enhanced scalability, airtight cybersecurity, reliable stability and reduced costs, Aptean’s solution is trusted by businesses of all sizes around the world for all the right reasons.
“How much Aptean has supported us has impressed me. That’s not common in the software industry. And it’s not just that we’re getting technical support. There’s a lot of professional development going on here.”
Bobby Hall, IT Manager, Steel Grip
About Aptean
Aptean is one of the world’s leading providers of purpose-built, industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. With both cloud and on-premise deployment options, Aptean’s products, services and unmatched expertise help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for What’s Next, Now®. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com.
