Hitachi Consulting UK Implemented Dynamics AX for Maxell Europe
Hitachi Consulting UK said that they have implemented a Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP solution for Maxell Europe, along with ongoing Managed Services support. The new solution, which replaces the company’s existing legacy ERP system, is designed to improve intercompany billing, enable effective attribution of expenditure at the product group level for accounting purposes, and streamline supply chain efficiencies through better forecasting and visibility.
Maxell Europe had an existing legacy software package in place, servicing different parts of the business, which needed replacing with a solution that better suited the needs of both Maxell Moulding Systems and Maxell Europe. The company also needed to deliver accurate reporting and stock levels to its parent company, Hitachi Maxell, by enhancing its ability to bring parent-supplied inventory to market in any European location.
“We needed the new system to address intercompany processing issues, financial handling and to facilitate an improved level of confidence in stock availability. This in turn would improve both stock turn and stock ageing statistics,” said Martyn Lloyd, European IT Manager, Maxell Europe Ltd. “The Maxell Europe enterprise comprises three separate legal entities in total, with additional trading divisions put in place for operational reasons. This required consideration during the project in order to facilitate intercompany trading, accounting eliminations and consolidations post go-live.”
Hitachi Consulting UK helped to deliver the process change, consolidation, procurement process, complex data migration, and integration using nine UK based consultants with offshore support from consultants based in Pune, India. The solution created a common IT infrastructure, eliminating the legacy system, and delivering efficiencies around procurement, reporting and cost savings.
“The new Microsoft Dynamics AX system has given us much easier access to information,” added Lloyd. “It automates internal processes between companies, such as orders, and we don’t have to input the same information into different systems. We’ve been able to standardise across the business. We have also seen significant improvements in the intercompany supply chain, saving time via the reduction of manual input and significant savings on previous annual maintenance costs.”
Maxell Europe Ltd. has also taken an ongoing managed services contract with Hitachi Consulting UK. The company benefits from out of hours support. Updates are carried out during the night, which minimises overall downtime.