C.U.E., Inc.

From Legacy Limitations to Cloud Innovation: How C.U.E., Inc., Modernized for the Future with Infor CloudSuite Industrial ERP

Founded in 1986, C.U.E., Inc., a manufacturer specializing in cast urethane products, faced challenges that were impeding their growth and operational efficiency. These issues were exacerbated by outdated technology and an inability to keep up with modern manufacturing demands. For years, C.U.E. relied on Symix 4, a legacy ERP system that, while once cutting-edge, had become a bottleneck for the company. Symix lacked the flexibility, real-time capabilities, and integration needed to support the company’s evolving business needs.

The solution: upgrading to Infor CloudSuite Industrial (CSI) 10, a modern ERP system that would not only streamline operations but also offer scalable solutions for the future.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES WITH MODERN SOLUTIONS

Breaking Down Silos with Real-Time Data and Collaboration

Challenge: Limited Access to Data and Inadequate Collaboration Across Departments

C.U.E. was operating on Symix 4, a legacy ERP system that limited access to real-time data and hampered collaboration between departments. Symix’s outdated architecture made it difficult for employees to access accurate information on demand, which affected decision-making. Departmental silos made communication and coordinated efforts difficult, slowing down processes.

Result: Real-Time Data and Improved Cross-Departmental Collaboration

After upgrading to Infor CloudSuite Industrial, C.U.E. immediately benefited from real-time, live data accessible by everyday users. The ability to edit and access reports on demand allowed teams to be proactive instead of reactive. Key roles, like the production scheduler, were empowered with DataViews, enabling them to predict production needs more accurately and adjust materials and resources accordingly. With enhanced functionality for sharing information, collaboration between departments became seamless, improving overall efficiency and communication.

Automating Production for Precision and Efficiency

Challenge: Inefficiencies in Production and Manual Processes

C.U.E. faced inefficiencies in production, primarily due to the reliance on manual processes. For example, production data had to be manually input after each shift, leading to errors, delays, and inaccurate reporting. The limited functionality of Symix meant scheduling and material planning were rudimentary and often required significant manual adjustments.

Result: Streamlined Production and Advanced Scheduling with Factory Track and APS

The new system introduced Factory Track, which eliminated manual data entry on the production floor, improving timing and accuracy. With the addition of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS), C.U.E. was able to enhance its production planning. The company switched to a concurrent scheduling method, where multiple production tasks could be scheduled simultaneously. This shift in scheduling philosophy allowed C.U.E. to operate more efficiently and plan more effectively, ensuring better resource utilization and on-time production.

Gaining Market Agility with Dynamic Pricing Tools

Challenge: Inability to React to Market Pricing Changes

C.U.E. faced significant challenges in responding to frequent raw material price fluctuations, a critical issue in urethane molding manufacturing. Raw material costs changed nearly every day, requiring the company to adjust pricing dynamically. However, the limitations of the legacy system made this nearly impossible. The system lacked the ability to drill down into the bill of materials (BOM) to identify specific parts affected by raw material cost changes. As a result, C.U.E. had to manually sift through thousands of part numbers, a time-consuming and error-prone process that delayed pricing adjustments and impacted competitiveness.

Result: Dynamic Pricing Adjustments with Real-Time BOM Insights

With Infor CloudSuite Industrial, C.U.E. gained the ability to react to market pricing changes in real time. The system’s advanced functionality allowed the company to drill down into the BOM and identify specific parts affected by raw material cost increases. This enabled C.U.E. to adjust pricing dynamically and accurately, ensuring they remained competitive in a volatile market. The automation of this process eliminated the need for manual intervention, saving time and reducing errors.

Scaling Security with Cloud-Based Innovation

Challenge: Outdated Infrastructure and High Operational Costs

The company’s aging hardware and on-premises infrastructure, tied to Symix, were becoming increasingly costly to maintain. Symix’s lack of cloud compatibility and reliance on physical servers created limitations in terms of scalability and flexibility. This also raised concerns about the security and reliability of their systems, especially as the business continued to grow.

Result : Cloud-Based ERP for Cost Savings and Scalability

By migrating to the cloud with Infor CloudSuite Industrial, C.U.E. eliminated the need for on-premises infrastructure. This move resulted in significant cost savings, as they no longer had to maintain physical servers or deal with associated overhead. The shift to the cloud also addressed concerns about security. With C.U.E.’s data stored securely in the cloud, they benefitted from the expertise of a dedicated team handling security and backups, allowing the company to focus on running the business instead of managing IT infrastructure.

As Tony Santangelo, Controller at C.U.E., noted, “We put security in the hands of people that do that well so we can focus on running our business instead of maintaining our servers and worrying about cyberattacks.”

The cloud-based system also made remote work more feasible, attracting younger employees who valued flexibility and modern technology.

Results At a Glance

• Access to Real-Time Data: Employees can now make decisions based on live data, improving forecasting, material management, and pricing strategies.
• Improved Productivity: Eliminating manual data entry and paper-based processes led to a substantial boost in productivity. Automated systems like Factory Track and electronic invoicing streamlined operations and reduced errors.
• Dynamic Pricing Adjustments: The ability to drill into the BOM and adjust pricing in real time allowed C.U.E. to remain competitive in a volatile market.
• Cost Savings: Migrating to the cloud reduced hardware and infrastructure costs, freeing up resources for other growth initiatives.
• Enhanced Security: With data stored securely in the cloud, C.U.E. benefits from advanced security measures and dedicated support, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and ensuring data integrity.
• Improved Collaboration: Real-time data sharing and tools like DataViews enabled seamless collaboration across departments, improving communication and efficiency.
• Attracting Younger Talent: The modern, cloud-based system and remote work capabilities positioned C.U.E. to attract younger employees who value flexibility and cutting-edge technology.
• Scalability for Growth: The cloud-based ERP system provides the flexibility and scalability needed to support C.U.E.’s ongoing growth and future expansion.

NEXT STEPS

C.U.E. is committed to building on the success of its Infor CloudSuite Industrial implementation by exploring additional functionality to further optimize operations with the help of Decision Resources. They plan to expand the use of Factory Track to enhance production efficiency and accuracy. Additionally, C.U.E. is exploring Advanced Forecasting to improve demand planning and overall business agility. These efforts will support the company’s ongoing growth and ensure it remains competitive in a rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

Partnering with Decision Resources to upgrade to Infor CloudSuite Industrial has not only solved critical operational issues but has also positioned C.U.E. for long-term growth. By embracing the built-in functionality of CloudSuite Industrial, C.U.E. has avoided the need for costly customizations while ensuring they remain on the latest version of the software.

“We’ll never have to do another ERP implementation again. We will evolve with CloudSuite Industrial.”

Tony Santangelo, Controller
C.U.E., Inc.