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Enterprise Resource Management (ERP): More Than Inventory Control
Enterprise Resource Management (ERP): More Than Inventory Control
Big or Small: CSB Builds Unique System for Each Customer
By Karen Sample and Janet Morley
AAnyone who has worked in a plant or managed sales, procurement, production planning, production execution, inventory and distribution knows there are a lot of balls to juggle, especially when running a business that depends on perishables like meat.
Dr. Peter Schimitzek, a German Master Butcher and a man ahead of his time in many ways, realized 50 years ago that there had to be a better way to keep all those balls in the air for his family business. Dr. Schimitzek returned to school and obtained a degree in computer science - yes, 46 years ago. Using that expertise, he then built the first Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system specialized and focused on the meat industry for the meat industry. This was the start of the company that is now known as CSB-System today.
CSB-System has more than 40 years of experience developing and evolving Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) systems to help their customers manage the complexities of their businesses. The result is a specialized system focused on the meat industry that truly understands the needs of meat processors.
CSB-System remains family-managed, employing approximately 600 people globally with a service portfolio comprised of software, industry hardware for automation, support, training, process consulting and cloud services.
Nestor Plawiuk, CEO of CSB-System North America points out “the meat industry is the core business for CSB globally. That is our DNA. In North America the meat industry is about 90 per cent plus of all our customer base. We are the only ERP company that is so entrenched and dedicated to the meat industry.”
You might think that the secret to the company’s success is its programmers, but Plawiuk will be quick to tell you that the secret of their success is in the company’s consultants. They are experienced business analysts who fully understand the uniqueness and nuances of this demanding industry and can decipher how each company runs and how to best support that.
What is an ERP system?
ERPs are systems that collect data and enable the collection of information which provides businesses insights into their performance, results and areas for improvement. Though change can be intimidating, Plawiuk emphasizes that ERPs are about modifying how people operate, not what they produce. “It doesn’t matter what size of company, we work with them to develop a right-sized and effective ERP,” Plawiuk says.
“A good ERP system is one that’s integrated from beginning to end. We configure our system to the specific needs of each customer in each area.” Plawiuk explains there are basic modules such as Sales, Inventory, Production, Finance and Quality Management. Depending on the specific needs of the customer and the complexity of their operations, there may be numerous sub modules supporting those basic components. CSB-System builds all of their ERPs on a similar platform whether you’re a corner butcher or a multi-facility operation.
Traceability and Transparency
A robust ERP system, like CSB’s, offers inherent traceability by documenting and tracking the movement of all raw materials to the production procedure. This safeguards the supply chain, customers, and a company’s brand. In the event of a recall or audit, CSB’s ERP can provide results within minutes, letting you know where that product is now. It also facilitates job performance by ensuring knowledge transfer between generations or employees.
In addition to these quality and assurance facets, CSB’s ERP will give performance analysis on financials. It will let you know how well you are doing by providing good financial information in real time.
Right Sizing
“It doesn’t matter what size of company, we work with them to develop a right-sized ERP,” Plawiuk says. CSB-System treats everyone equally whether the company is large or small. “It’s important that we understand how our customers produce because their customers come for their unique product.”
CSB’s ERP system is configured for the business today but is designed to continue to grow as a business expands. Customers can choose whether they use a server or cloud service for all software. Production floor hardware (i.e., scan guns) can be purchased from CSB or existing Mobile ERP (MERP) can be integrated.
Erin Scanlan, Marketing Manager of North America says, “No family business is too small for us to talk to. Even if they’re not ready yet, we will be there when they are ready. We really want to understand our customers’ problems and perspectives rather than us telling a customer what their problems are. We’re laser focused on the meat and poultry industry. We are definitely unique in that sense. We’ve all been to the warehouses, to the factories, to the slaughter houses. We really understand it. And we live and breathe it.”
Implementation
To implement an ERP, the first step involves ensuring an understanding between the business and CSB-System, a process managed by CSB’s consultants. The entire process is customercentric, with each system tailored to the customer’s specific needs. In addition, CSB-System provides 24/7 global customer support.
“Everybody knows CSB-System in Europe. We’re working hard trying to bring that same recognition over to Canada and North America. We want to grow in meat and poultry,” says Scanlan. She feels it’s important for MPO members, many who may have small and growing family businesses, to know that CSB started as a family business and continues to be run by that family today. “That is CSB-System’s strength. We are able to grow with our customers,” she says.
MPO Membership
CSB-Systems enjoys being a member of Meat and Poultry Ontario. “We truly value connecting with the M&P community, it’s important for us to understand issues that are directly impacting the members and this gives us that additional point of connection,” Scanlan says.
Erin Scanlan
10 Duke Street West Suite 103 Kitchener, ON N2H 3W4, Canada contactus@csb.com
