Belvac Replaces MANMAN With IFS Applications

IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announced recently that Greensboro, N.C.-based master reseller brij has helped Belvac Production Machinery of Lynchburg, Va. go live on IFS Applications.

Belvac, which provides beverage can makers with machinery for high-speed trimming, necking, base reprofiling and reforming, shaping, bottom rim coating and flanging, initially implemented core IFS Applications enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality at its corporate headquarters to replace its pre-existing MANMAN system. Belvac management also expects to go live on IFS Applications at its facilities in the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic later this month.

Taking advantage of the flexibility of IFS Applications component-based service oriented architecture, Belvac is implementing functionality gradually in priority order. While the company's legacy system has been replaced, Belvac continues to implement additional IFS functionality to further refine its business practices and improve communications with customers.

"Our initial implementation phase was meant to replace the functionality of MANMAN," Belvac Director of Information Systems said, explaining how the company took advantage of IFS' modular system design. "After an initial go-live, we implemented non-core modules including customer relationship management, a sales configurator and vendor and customer portals – the more advanced features of IFS. We are bringing these features online gradually during the remainder of 2007.

"Our implementation of IFS Applications will help us manage the cyclical nature of our business and add value to the customer," Brooks continued. "Greater visibility of transactions within our company means that we can manage for reduced cycle times and faster turnaround of customer equipment and spare parts orders. Soon, our customers will be able to access their account directly through IFS Portals and get up-to-the-minute information on their order status."

"Belvac is a complex, engineering-oriented company in a demanding industry," IFS North America President and CEO Cindy Jaudon said. "Belvac's market is characterized by cyclical upswings, and that means that Belvac's large multinational customers can likely place orders all at the same time. Managing spikes in demand in a complex, deadline-sensitive, project-oriented industry is not something that every ERP product on the market can handle, but it is one area where IFS Applications compares very favorably."

Ease of implementation and system management is the key to bringing top-tier ERP functionality to the middle market, according to brij President and CEO Martin Green.

"Belvac is proof positive that middle market companies can implement and manage tier-one ERP functionality if it is designed and packaged well enough," Green said. "As the Fortune 500 companies put more pressure on their middle market suppliers, more mid-sized companies need sophisticated information technology capabilities. Fortunately, modern solutions like IFS Applications make those high-end capabilities workable for companies with finite financial and IT staffing resources. It certainly helps when an application can be rolled out in phases, as was the case at Belvac."

In addition to implementation staff from brij, representatives of Austin, Texas-based Entsgo, Inc. assisted with MANMAN data migration.

Industrial manufacturing is one of IFS' targeted vertical markets. IFS has a broad customer base in the industry, focusing on medium- to large-size manufacturers that need support for complex order-driven and mixed-mode manufacturing across the extended enterprise. With strong support for project management, engineering, constraint-based scheduling, product configuration, and after-sales support, IFS' business solution is designed to help companies improve quality, contain costs, and improve their competitive position in manufacturing industry segments such as machinery, defense, fabricated metal products, and plastic products. Industrial manufacturing companies also benefit from IFS' lifecycle management solution, which goes beyond product lifecycle management (PLM) to provide better integration and management of three critical business areas—products, customers, and resources—throughout their lifecycles.

About Belvac Production Machinery
Founded in 1962, Belvac estimates that over 198 billion beverage cans are produced each year using systems manufactured by its machinery. The company employs just over 200 people at its modern 77,000 square foot facility in Lynchburg, Virginia, where the company houses all manufacturing, research and development, engineering, support, and administrative services. The company also maintains European distribution and service operations with offices in the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.belvac.com.

About IFS and IFS Applications
IFS , the global enterprise applications company, provides solutions which enable organizations to respond quickly to market changes—allowing resources to be used in a more agile way to achieve better business performance and competitive advantage.

IFS was founded in 1983 and now has 2,600 employees worldwide. IFS has pioneered component-based ERP software with IFS Applications, now in its seventh generation. IFS' component architecture provides solutions that are easier to implement, run and upgrade. IFS Applications is available in 54 countries in 22 languages.

IFS has over 600,000 users across seven key vertical sectors: aerospace & defense; automotive; high-tech; industrial manufacturing; process industries; construction, contracting & service management and utilities & telecom. IFS Applications provides extended ERP functionality including customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM), product lifecycle management (PLM), corporate performance management (CPM), enterprise asset management (EAM) and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.

More details can be found at www.IFSWORLD.com.

About brij
At brij, we provide technology products and services that help companies connect their business objectives to the information and processes that are vital for operations and competition in today's market place. We pair the technology solutions of IFS and JD Edwards Applications with some of the most talented implementation consultants, and use implementation methodologies that promote customer ownership and have a focus on time-to-value. brij understands the complexities and competitive pressures which face even small and medium sized companies. We offer more than just great products and great service; we provide great solutions to solve you business problems. With over 20 years of real-life experience in facing big obstacles with small resources, our customers look to brij as experts, mentors and partners in their success.

SOURCE: IFS