Allett Mowers streamlines operations with new cloud ERP system

Allett Mowers, a manufacturer of cylinder mowers, has introduced Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine) as part of an overhaul to its business operations and information technology systems. The company has adopted the cloud-based enterprise resource planning software to address issues with its previous technology and drive improvements in productivity, order fulfilment, and customer service.

System upgrade

Allett Mowers moved away from its previous Opera software platform, which had been marked for obsolescence and proved insufficient for providing reliable business information. The legacy system lacked integrated reporting and accurate planning tools, leading to challenges with stock visibility and slow responses to customer enquiries. The transition aimed to eliminate data silos and boost the accuracy of customer communications.

Selection process

After examining several ERP options, the company opted for Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine) due to its focus on manufacturing, scalability, and capacity for integrated operations. The system's ability to deliver comprehensive and faster reporting was cited as a major factor in the decision process.

"Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine)'s simplicity and look and feel were very compelling. The advanced technologies which are baked into the Infor OS platform, mean that we have confidence it will support whatever is next, not just the now. We can unlock new technologies as we need them, and pursue our growth strategies safe in the knowledge we won't have another ERP project to contend with in future years. And because Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine) is a fully integrated suite, with quality management, document management and service management included, we know there will be no surprise costs for additional modules," said Tom Holmes, ERP Project Manager, Allett Mowers.

Operational benefits

Allett Mowers has reported significant gains since deploying the new system. Productivity and planning processes have seen considerable improvement. Lead times for customer orders have been reduced from around 12 weeks to an average of four weeks. The company attributes its more informed customer conversations and improved trust in delivery schedules to the clarity and consistency of data now available.

Planning sessions that previously took up to four hours each week now require less than two minutes, according to the business. These improvements accommodate the seasonality of the industry and help the company maintain appropriate inventory levels in response to both historical demand and forecasts.

Process intelligence features and standardised workflows have helped Allett Mowers to identify bottlenecks and reallocate resources more effectively. Full integration with the company's Shopify and after-sales platforms has also increased visibility throughout the entire product lifecycle.

"Possibly the greatest value, however, is the knowledge we have on how bottlenecks impact the entire lifecycle, so that we can divert resources where needed. The system flags exceptions quickly so that we can understand where problems or profit risks might be looming. Because the clarity of the data is excellent and we can trust it to the letter, we have one version of the truth. This means that we can investigate the why, rather than spending hours, sometimes days, trying to get to the what," said Holmes.

Cultural changes

The company credits its transformation with fostering a more collaborative and commercially aware culture. Streamlined processes and centralised data have improved the onboarding experience for new employees and allowed customer service teams to operate with increased confidence and efficiency.

Allett Mowers believes the new platform will support future growth initiatives. Additional features, including generative AI capabilities and a digital assistant, are expected to further enhance productivity by enabling quicker access to information on manufacturing processes, such as bill of materials and production bottlenecks.

"Ultimately, Infor CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine), complemented and supported by Inforlogic, has enabled us to transform our operations and move forward with a scalable, robust platform from which to better service our customers and pursue growth," said Holmes.