SHEA Global Limited

CME Technology Assessment Program – What’s in it for Your Business?

SHEA Global Limited — 10/12/2020

Two Cans and a String – that’s exactly what outdated technology can look like in front of its newer versions.

Outdated manufacturing technologies may not seem like such a bad idea when they’re getting things done. Production is happening, products are being delivered to the customers, and there is a sense of familiarity.

Also, when it comes to adopting new technologies, you may be unsure about the return on investment (ROI). If that’s the case, you’re not the only one! Over 40% of manufacturers identify uncertain ROI as the main reason for not investing in new technology.

Though, it is important to note, that by delaying change, you may lose out on productivity and consequently, competitiveness as time goes by.

So, what should you do?

The CME Technology Assessment Program

If you’re based in Southern Ontario, fortunately, there is a program you can benefit from – the CME Technology Assessment Program.

This program subsidizes the costs of third-party technology assessment specialists, enabling you to receive specialized assessments and identify opportunities to improve your systems, processes, and equipment by adopting new technologies.

Qualified assessors work with you to prepare a business case as well as a customized action plan to enhance productivity by making the most of your existing assets. They also help with the implementation of technology solutions such as ERP systems, CRM systems, and quality management systems.

If you’re worried about the costs, you shouldn’t be! Eligible manufacturers can receive subsidies covering up to 100% (to a maximum of $25,000) of eligible consulting assessment costs.

Eligibility requirements can be accessed here.

If you’re eligible, how exactly can we help you increase efficiency and improve resource allocation?

Well .. Say Hello to TIMWOODS

We start by leveraging a lean manufacturing and waste-reducing method called ‘TIMWOODS’ to help you optimize your production and manufacturing activities and enhance your supply chain management. The eight categories we focus on include:

Transport
Inventory
Motion
Waiting
Over-processing
Overproduction
Defects
Skills Underutilized

You may be surprised to see how much cash and resources are tied up across these categories. For instance, you can improve your cashflows and put money back into the bank with better inventory control and avoid higher expediting costs with better stock management.

What Benefits Can You Expect?

The biggest benefit is that you’re getting a little to no cost professional assessment as well as a roadmap for budgeting for 2021.

The assessment helps in end-to-end enhancement of your processes; from planning and design to manufacturing and delivery.

To date, dozens of Canadian manufacturers have benefited from this program and invested in new production technologies. Some of the benefits they have experienced include:

I. Lower operational costs,

II. Increased product quality,

III. Higher innovation capacity,

IV. And increased customer satisfaction.

If you’re interested in the CME Technology Assessment Program, you can still apply. The applications can be submitted until December 31, 2021.

For more information on the program access our webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtUSnjD382I&t=912s

To create a roadmap for success and enhance the processes you currently have in place, connect with us today for a consultation.

Customer Relationship Management – Why It Matters in the Automotive Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 10/06/2021

For consumers, buying a car is a long process that requires careful thinking, lots of research, and a detailed game plan.

According to Forbes, 45% of consumers read reviews before making an in-store purchase.

In addition, the GE Capital Retail Bank’s second annual Major Purchase Shopper Study reported that 81% of consumers research their products online before making a purchase.

Especially when making a purchase as big and expensive as a car, giving the customers confidence and peace of mind is even more important for dealerships throughout the customer journey process.

Customer Experience is the New King

Producing a superior vehicle with excellent safety and fancy cosmetic features are no longer the sole indication of a good brand.

With changing consumer behaviours and needs, customer experience has become the key differentiator between good and excellent.

Here are trends to keep in mind when thinking about customer experience:

The Omnichannel Buying Experience – Providing a seamless and easy experience across all touchpoints.
Digital Content is Essential – When vehicle shoppers are researching online, providing engaging content of a car’s driving experience allows consumers to easily gather in-depth knowledge about the car.
Cars Are Getting Fancier – With increased connectivity features and sleek cosmetic designs, it’s more tempting for consumers to shop around and switch brands to find a car they like.
AR and VR – Virtual reality means bringing the paper experience to life and an enhanced shopping experience. Shoppers can compare different cars, get a feel of the car, look at customization options, and imagine how the driving experience would be like before taking a test drive.
More Mobility – According to PwC, personal mileage is estimated to rise by 23% by 2030 and sharing will become an increasingly seen trend in the industry because customers want flexibility and options.

Customer Relationship Management is the Solution

An automotive customer relationship management platform is designed for making the customer journey for vehicle shoppers an immersive, pleasant, and comprehensive experience.

It allows dealerships to focus on a customer-centric approach that puts the customers’ needs first at all touchpoints in the buyer process.

With a well-implemented customer relationship management solution, dealerships can gather valuable customer data, build more personalized relationships with customers, and proactively identify opportunities throughout the ownership lifecycle.

At SHEA Global, we provide customer relationship management solutions that can easily connect with your existing system, so you can enjoy a seamless integration process and spend more time focusing on your customers.

To learn more about what we can offer you, connect with us today!

Redefining ‘Fine’: Why Good Enough is No Longer Good Enough

SHEA Global Limited — 16/07/2020

As strategic software consultants, we meet a lot of companies and organizations. Your business is our business — literally.

We talk (and write!) a lot about digital transformation — including ERP selection, process automation, and beyond. Yet while the technology is key to this transformation, there is another piece that is even more important:

Mindset.

There is a quote from George Bernard Shaw: “Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

Many businesses — especially legacy businesses — have been doing things in the same way for a long time just because that’s how it’s always been done. If you’ve heard yourself say “Good enough” or “That’s fine for now” it might be time to rethink it.

This has been especially true throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruption may have brought organizational challenges to light and if you want to make it through, you need to face them head-on.

Staying stuck in your comfort zone is easy to do – and often the long-term consequences aren’t easy to predict. But they show up in smaller ways… Unoptimized inventory. Lost production. Minor data inaccuracies that become major data inaccuracies over time.

The problem with “good enough for now” is that it isn’t helping you grow. “Fine” doesn’t surpass the competition. “Fine” doesn’t result in more revenue. “Fine” doesn’t achieve operational excellence.

If you’ve been “waiting and seeing,” it’s time to stop waiting and start doing.

So, how exactly can you do that?

Step One: Find Your Starting Point

You don’t need to change everything at once. But all change must start somewhere.

The best first step is often to identify the problems that are holding your business back (vs. jumping on a trendy solution).

The problems may not be what you think they are, or they may offer more opportunities for growth and actionable change than you’re even aware.

If you perceive that your company has outgrown your current ERP system, you may be looking to upgrade or even change systems. This can be a great opportunity to analyze what your business truly needs and find other process improvements that can make a huge difference without necessarily requiring a wholesale system change.

For instance, you may be dealing with a huge overstock or a shortfall in inventory as a result of inaccurate forecasting and buying patterns. A leaner real-time inventory replenishment model can help with steadier flow of inventory and reduce the potential for overstock or a shortfall over any given period of time.

DDMRP is a great example of a methodology and tool that can be deployed to better control and streamline the flow of inventory into a facility. The best part is that, to use it, you don’t need to go for a wholesale replacement of your existing ERP!

Step Two: Create a Strategic Plan That Leverages ROI

A common objection we hear about when discussing digital transformation is the cost. Many businesses want to know they will get a return on their technological investment.

The key to assessing ROI potential is starting with a strategy. Digital transformation is a journey — not an overnight change. Just as with a journey on foot, a map ensures you stay on the path.

Some programs, like the CME Technology Assessment Program (TAP) grant, are designed specifically for this part of the process. Don’t skip over the assessment piece and run straight for the solution. It may seem like a shortcut but it often leads to getting lost, or at the very least not getting as much of a return.

Step Three: Think Long-Term

As we said, digital transformation is a marathon, not a race. With that in mind, decisions need to be made that will not only improve your situation next week or next month but also next year or next decade.

We know that innovation and technology are here to stay, and it will only continue to grow. COVID-19 has shown too many businesses just how devastating it can be to operate without a plan.

You need to look for long-term strategies and solutions — ones that make your business as future-proof as possible. But what exactly does “future-proofing” mean? It doesn’t necessarily mean being able to predict the future — for example, we cannot say for certain when the COVID-19 pandemic will end or if we will see a second wave.

However, what it does mean is being prepared to adapt no matter what comes your way. You must be able to scale quickly and with agility. Have better forecasts and inventory control. Be able to adjust the supply chain stress-free. And make ongoing choices that give the flexibility and freedom to change with the times.

This is what being — and staying — competitive mean.

Together, these three steps can create a more resilient business that ditches the status quo for good. “Fine” may seem all right in the moment, but in order to achieve true, actionable change we need to push past “good enough” and move to operational excellence.

A digital transformation partner, like SHEA Global, can help businesses identify where to start, set a strategic course of action, and guide them along the path. Reach out to us today to get started.

Are You Omnichannel Ready?

SHEA Global Limited — 30/12/2021

With the preference of consumers leaning toward online shopping, now more than ever retailers need to ensure their customers get the same experience shopping online as they would shopping in a brick-and-mortar store. From being educated while they shop, to processing their payment seamlessly, retailers need to be able to tender and bag transactions with the same intention: getting the consumer to return in the future.

Being omnichannel-ready essentially asks current retailers if they’re set up to do all the above properly. Do they have a system in place with shippers and carriers? Are they proactively able to manage the Amazon model and compete with major industry leaders? To answer, we must first qualify what retailers should be looking for from their omnichannel service providers.

Omnichannel optimizes engagement, meets high customer expectations, enables better service, and provides actionable data. But to do that properly, it needs to be implemented right. To succeed at this, we must consider several factors:

1. Security

Ensuring that you have a service that provides adequate security is of foremost importance as data breaches are a common occurrence. Therefore, you must ensure the security surrounding your omnichannel platform is robust. The customer data should be protected, and encryption should be used where appropriate. Your service should also limit what information agents can access. They should only have access to the data they need to perform their role. One big red flag is if the provider you’re looking into has no advice or standards surrounding security or how to manage the platform safely.

2. Ready out-of-the box

An effective omnichannel service should be ready right away so you can start using it immediately. That way you can know instantly know whether it’s good for your business since some custom solutions take up a lot of time and money.

3. Forward-thinking

Omnichannel providers should be continually updating and improving their platform and offering more functionality for a variety of clients. If the provider is constantly improving, your business will also improve rapidly.

4. Flexible and scalable

Ask yourself: will the platform work and grow as you do? Will you be able to expand the use of the platform for other departments? If you think you will need several providers in the future, it defeats the purpose of having just one and serves as a red flag not to invest in this provider.

5. True cost

Make sure you know what you’re getting. Look out for confusing price structures and hidden costs. Keep an eye out for subscription models that start low but charge high after a certain threshold. It’s best to finalize the cost and determine exactly what the platform can achieve based on what you’re paying from the very beginning.

That's it for us! We hope these five tips will help you find the right solution for you. But remember that SHEA’s SMART Retail meets all these criteria and more. To learn more about our many solutions ranging from the aerospace industry to high technology, visit us at https://sheaglobal.com/

Global eCommerce Trends to Watch for in 2020 and Beyond

SHEA Global Limited — 01/10/2020

If there is something that cushioned the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and organizations – it’s technology.

eCommerce technology to be specific.

When brick-and-mortar stores closed their doors, the focus of sales shifted online. Those businesses that did not have online retail solutions, scrambled to quickly integrate eCommerce offerings into their platforms.

Order management and fulfillment systems were revisited and time was spent on enhancing online customer experiences.

The Remote Payments Study shows that online retail purchases witnessed a 34.9% increase from 2019 to 2020.

So, all this effort was worth it.

As we enter Q4, we take a look at the global eCommerce trends and discuss how the retail landscape will change in the coming year.

eCommerce is Here to Stay

According to Statistics Canada, eCommerce sales more than doubled in May 2020, with a whopping 110.8% year-on-year increase!

While you may be thinking that this may be a one-off spike due to store closures, there is more to the story. As physical distancing rules will eventually be relaxed and retail spaces will revert to operating at full capacity – one thing has changed and that is consumer behaviour.

Consumers have experienced convenience that comes with online shopping and many individuals are quite comfortable adding what they need to their online shopping carts and checking out.

Similarly, businesses have seen that they can directly get their products into the consumer’s hands without third-party involvement. They have also seen the benefits of omni-channel retail in the truest sense.

Having an omni-channel strategy, which also includes an eCommerce site, is critical for customer retention in uncertain times. Solutions like Dynamics 365 Commerce can help you integrate physical and digital storefronts into a single view of transactions to help you identify and analyze behavioural data.

Personalization is Vital

eCommerce is increasingly becoming a competitive space. This is why personalization and customization are key global eCommerce trends that will dominate in the coming year.

Today’s customer wants a flexible, robust system that delivers more value. It’s not just about the product or service anymore.

Customers like to receive recommendations, special offers, and added perks. This is why many businesses are increasingly considering subscription-based offerings. These subscriptions are often nominally priced but give customers added benefits such as free shipping or early access to new products.

Providing choice and convenience with connected ordering and fulfillment tools is helpful. There are solutions that can enable you to seamlessly facilitate online purchases and the associated in-store pick-ups or home deliveries.

Security and Fraud Risk

With eCommerce comes the risk of data breaches, fraudulent activities, and attacks on customer accounts.

While you have to deploy a configurable and scalable solution to ensure that you comply with the required security standards, you also need to ensure that the customer experience is not impacted by multiple layers of account verification or authentication requirements.

Fraud Protection capabilities can be integrated into Dynamics 365 Commerce to help you overcome some of these challenges. They can:

Improve customer experiences by sharing transactional trust knowledge with issuing banks to increase authorization rates.
Help with business profitability by using adaptive AI technology.
Help avoid losses due to fraudulent accounts with account creation protection.

A digital transformation partner, like SHEA Global, can help you with your eCommerce journey by developing a plan of action and providing you with the guidance and tools you require.

Take our free Readiness Assessment and get expert advice tailored according to your eCommerce needs.

HR Tech: The Latest Advancements

SHEA Global Limited — 19/05/2022

As businesses and employees try to adjust to this post-pandemic new normal, HR staff have their work cut out for them. Remote and hybrid work has complicated work environments while the “great resignation” has many managers struggling to hold down the fort. Fortunately, advances in HR tech offer professionals the necessary tools to solve these issues.

Artificial Intelligence

Perhaps the greatest single gift AI has for HR professionals is its ability to take over repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more nuanced challenges that require a human touch. AI can assist with recruitment and onboarding, retaining talent, boosting employee productivity, tracking diversity initiatives, and more.

For example, virtual assistants and chatbots can field FAQs from employees like “What are my benefits? Where can I find the training documents? How many sick days am I entitled to?” EDF, a French multinational electric utility company, created a chatbot to handle legal questions. The chatbot grew from 200 items of legal knowledge to 800, and 75 per cent of users were satisfied with it.

Cybersecurity

Last year, over 70 per cent of Canadian IT departments reported an increase in the number of employees opening malicious links or attachments in emails. With remote and hybrid work, it’s difficult for HR to keep tabs on employees.

For starters, assess whether your network, firmware, and software are all secured and controlled. Vendors can provide tools that can help monitor and manage these assets. Secondly, it’s crucial to educate employees on safe practices, so they can recognize potential threats and know when not to click on a questionable link. Finally, businesses should consider optimizing their staff with enterprise-class devices for home that have robust built-in security.

Cloud Computing

One of the immediate benefits of cloud computing is the ease of implementation. Many solutions are out-of-the-box and installation takes only minutes. It is also scalable for companies of varying sizes. To increase agility and flexibility, organizations can move core HR processes to the cloud such as:

payroll management
recruitment
applicant tracking
talent management
benefits administration
and more

In a recent survey, 64 per cent of companies reported measurable business value from their investment in HR cloud computing. Further, 70 per cent of respondents reported savings of 10 per cent or more, and nearly 40 per cent achieved 20 per cent or more.

We Can Help

When it comes to upgrading your HR tech, the options can seem overwhelming. Our experts can help you evaluate the solutions you’re considering regarding artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and more. We can review your current capabilities, suggest new options, and even provide training.

Visit our website or contact us at our various locations around the world to learn more about how we can help upgrade your HR tech.

Business Surveys Made Easy for Customers, Employees, Vendors, and More

SHEA Global Limited — 09/07/2020

Tips and Tricks for Dynamics 365: The Questionnaire Module

Workplace surveys are a versatile tool for many businesses, providing valuable insight into operations. They can gauge employee engagement, improve vendor collaboration, measure performance, and more.

However, surveys can also be time-consuming to put together and tedious to administer — not to mention difficult to measure the data when it is collected.

However, an often-overlooked module within Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, called the Questionnaire Module, is an incredibly versatile feature that boosts workplace survey functionality.

It can provide the capability to engage audiences such as employees and potential vendors and gather additional information.

Read on for how to make use of this tool in your own business.

Examples of How to Use the Questionnaire Module

a) Performance Management

From an employee and human resources management perspective, the Questionnaire Module could be used as part of the appraisal process. Questionnaires would provide a framework for appraisal preparation and performance management using the human resources “goals” functionality, whereby goals may be set for the worker.

b) Employee Feedback and Self-Service

We have previously seen the Questionnaire Module used for self-certification sickness absence or the purpose of return-to-work interviews. A series of structured questions can guide the returning employee through the process, collecting valuable information that can be stored within your core business system as a point of reference.

The screenshot below shows three different screens comprising of the employee self-service portal, the questionnaires assigned to the given user and then an example of one of the questions within the questionnaire.

c) Vendor Collaboration

From a vendor collaboration perspective, the Questionnaire Module can be used to gather information pertaining to an existing or potential vendor’s quality credentials and accreditations while being linked to a request for quotation bid. The example below shows the questionnaire, fully embedded into the request-for-quotation (RFQ) process:

Examples of flexible questions, which can be used to gather the required information from vendors, can be seen below. Questions can be linear or vary, based upon responses to prior questions.

The possibilities expand from there. Questionnaires can be customized to your unique needs with benefits tailored to you.

Learn more about the Questionnaire Module, how to implement surveys into your business, and more at our free live web series, Quiz the Wiz. Get free expert answers without delay from our Wiz Panel. See details and register for the next session.

SHEA Global consultants can provide the assistance necessary to help you set up this hidden gem, which spans the Human Resources and Vendor Collaboration modules.

We can provide this training remotely using Microsoft Teams. Get in touch today.

AI in Manufacturing: How It’s Transforming the Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 24/03/2022

Advancements in machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) are increasing the presence of AI in manufacturing. Here are five areas where industry leaders need to pay attention.

Predictive Maintenance

Instead of being reactive and only fixing something when it breaks, predictive maintenance uses data science and analytics through technology like IoT to estimate when a piece of equipment will fail, so maintenance can be scheduled before failure at the most convenient and cost-effective moment.

While preventative maintenance relies on historical data and averages to try and predict when service will be necessary, predictive maintenance uses real-time data, ensuring the utmost accuracy. As a result, predictive maintenance can reduce breakdowns by 70 per cent and lower maintenance costs by 25 per cent.

Supply Chain Management

Supply chains are becoming more complex and more challenging to manage. Pandemic-related disruptions highlight the need for agility. Integrating AI end-to-end makes supply chains more transparent, enabling better analysis and decision making. AI’s data gathering and processing capabilities make this trend a game changer.

AI in the logistics and supply chain market is predicted to reach 6.5 billion USD by 2023. Surprisingly, supply chain leaders have been slow adapters, with only 4 per cent willing to claim their operations are future ready. Those willing to be aggressive on this front are sure to get ahead of their competitors.

Product Optimization

Product optimization comes from analyzing manufacturing processes and finding places where improvements can be made, which is exactly where AI and machine learning thrives. Analyzing large datasets using sensors and IoT, algorithms learn the complex relationships between the many variables and parameters within the manufacturing process at a scale humans cannot replicate.

However, the robots aren’t ready to replace the humans just yet. Over 40 per cent of manufacturers have added data scientists to their workforce, and another 35 per cent plan to do so within the next five years.

Cybersecurity

As businesses are pouring billions into automation and IoT, cybercriminals are targeting digitally connected industries. During the pandemic, IoT ransomware attacks shot up 700 per cent. The number of connected devices in the manufacturing industry today means cybersecurity cannot be solved with traditional human-based monitoring; we need machines that can protect themselves.

Machine learning and algorithms can detect subtle, abnormal patterns among millions of lines of code. Once detected, security admins can be alerted. Companies will need to stay ahead of this arms race because with each new advancement comes opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit.

Machine Vision

Machine vision facilitates automatic inspection, process control, and robotic guidance using digital sensors protected inside industrial cameras with specialized optics to get images, which computers process. Positioning the inspected items, cameras, and lighting must be exact, often requiring time-consuming manual inspections.

AI can help by automating some of these processes. For example, through machine learning, machine vision technology can be taught how to spot certain characteristics of items, like pattern recognition, and spot errors. The increasing demand for quality inspection and automation is driving the market for machine vision at an expected CAGR of nearly 7 per cent from 2021 to 2028.

We have expertise in IoT device integration with ERP, MRP and MES—from VR/AR to RFID to Active Equipment Monitoring. Contact us to find out how technology can improve your business processes and efficiencies at https://sheaglobal.com.

Reimagining the Fashion Business with Technology - From Design to the Ramp

SHEA Global Limited — 15/10/2020

Getting an outfit from a sketch to the runway (well, maybe not a runaway at this time, due to COVID-19) and then into the hands of the customer – is a process that needs to be done fast to keep up with the rapidly-evolving fashion scene.

This may not seem that difficult but as businesses scale, this becomes a challenge.

It’s a complex process, right from sourcing of raw materials and getting the production started to quality control and distribution.

COVID-19 has added another layer of complexity to this process.

According to research from McKinsey, 75% of publicly listed apparel and fashion companies in North America could face challenges in managing debt as COVID-19 continues to remain in the picture.

The situation may be trickier for small- and medium-sized apparel companies.

Even though the current business climate is challenging, technology adoption can help you streamline activities and find areas where you can have cost savings – even with the backdrop of a global pandemic.

It All Starts with Embracing Change

As discussed earlier, fashion manufacturers are facing a unique set of challenges today.

Embarking on a digital transformation journey can help produce quantifiable results. As every business is different, the starting point is analyzing your requirements and focusing on the processes that are most effective for your organization.

These are some of the areas, where technology integration can deliver significant benefits:

a) Business planning

This may seem like stating the obvious, but you have to start with reviewing your business plan for your apparel brand. This is usually a tedious process as these plans are often saved in complex spreadsheet formats with different versions residing in your servers.

By employing a centralized, software-based approach, you can improve your planning activities by consolidating all the information in one place. This would give you (and your team) a bird’s eye view of the product lifecycle, changing requirements, and business targets.

b) Speed-to-market

A challenge for many fashion retailers is being able to increase speed-to-market while keeping a check on sustainability and product quality.

Changing customer preferences, personalization requirements, move to eCommerce, and increased competition are factors that affect the fashion industry more than many other industries.

Hence, it is important to ensure that all departments in your organization are collaborating effectively and information is communicated swiftly to avoid delays and production issues. This is where solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can help.

They can create more alignment between departments and decrease informational siloes.

c) Raw materials management

Managing raw materials is a challenge, particularly with supply chain disruptions happening due to COVID-19 across the globe. You could easily find yourself in a situation where you have a surplus or shortage of raw materials.

This is where Industry 4.0 technologies, DDMRP, and ERP solutions come in handy. They can help automate the entire process of raw material management by helping you ascertain the amount of materials required and their associated costs.

d) Inventory management

When you have inventory being moved around from factories to distribution centers, warehouses, and stores, it is easy to lose track especially if you have a manual process in place that relies heavily on different people across these locations.

By automating inventory management and using ERP software you can eliminate many issues. For instance, adding bar codes for tracking can help you keep a track of the inventory no matter where it is headed.

e) Retail operations

Finally, retail is another key area where ERP systems can be helpful. Especially when retail is changing and eCommerce is becoming more integral than ever.

In addition to handling the logistics and inventory, ERP solutions can also help you manage merchandising activities in your brick-and-mortar stores. For instance, when it comes to markdowns and discounts, you can record prices and discounts in the system, so that it becomes easier to apply them in stores.

The possibilities are quite literally limitless…

At SHEA Global, we help you get access to solutions that are specifically designed for the fashion industry. In partnership with K3|pebblestone, we help you access systems that cover the entire lifecycle of your product – from design to sale.

Technology provides a roadmap to success and paves the way for change. We help you identify the areas of focus and support the implementation of pilot projects that can deliver results while keeping the budget and disruption to your business low. Reach out today for a consultation.

Into the Unknown: Managing Business Risk When Risk is Unmanageable

SHEA Global Limited — 27/08/2020

Risk is an unavoidable part of any managing any business, but no one prepares you for what to do when that risk is unmanageable — such as with the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

The word “unprecedented” was said a lot and while it may have been overused, it was also true. This combination of public health, economic, and social change had never been experienced at this level in our lifetime.

As a result, some businesses sank while others thrived. Some of that was due to luck — for instance, having a product that was in high-demand, like cleaning supplies or toilet paper — but more of it was due to preparation — such as having the technology and processes in place to adapt and scale quickly (such as brands that pivoted to create PPE).

While we deal with the fallout of COVID-19 and potential second wave, businesses must take a hard look at how they responded to the pandemic, and how they can respond moving forward.

There’s a dilemma here, though. On the one hand, we know that being digitally adapted is a great boon for businesses, especially with increased occupational health and safety protocols. As we mentioned, manufacturers and organizations that were already prepared before the pandemic had an easier time scaling during the crisis.

However, what if you weren’t digitally prepared? What if you were in the beginning steps of your digital transformation journey or hadn’t even started yet?

We can talk all day about the benefits of upgrades, process automation, and incorporating more technology into your business, but you may be asking — is now really the time?

If you don’t know what your business will look like next week, next month, or next year, does it make sense to be considering technological investments now? Can you even plan for the future when we have no idea what that future will hold?

The answer to both is yes. But it requires something fundamental: a mindset shift.

Redefining Business Risk

Traditionally, business risk assessment has meant gauging how much inventory you can sell in a certain period. Will you meet your budget forecast and KPIs? Will you be solvent at the end of the year? Will you be able to pay for your investments?

These are important questions — let’s be clear about that. But there is another element of risk that you should also consider.

What are the risks of staying stuck where you are? What are the risks of not changing and not adapting? What are the risks of continuing to do things the same way, when that way is no longer working?

Too often, businesses (and people!) avoid making change because of the fear of the unknown. There might be resistance from staff. There might be questions about return on investment. There might just be the vague feeling of will this really make things any better?

However, the unknown shouldn’t be what stops you from making a needed change. The difference between a fixed and growth mindset is being open to new ideas and willing to change your beliefs and processes.

Balancing Risk and Growth

In an uncertain environment, as we’ve faced recently, growth shouldn’t fall by the wayside (especially when that growth could help your business adapt to the current climate). However, it’s also understandable to have some hesitation and not go charging into a solution without proper forethought.

That said, there are ways to find an equilibrium between the two. Business risk and business growth don’t have to be opposites — they can be partners.

a) Start Small(er)

If you’re considering a technological investment, you don’t need to change your whole business overnight. You won’t go from operating with a full factory staff to lights-out manufacturing in a month.

You can start with one process; solve one problem that will have a big impact.

One example of this is demand-driven material requirements planning (DDMRP). While there is a learning and mindset shift required when you move from traditional MRP to DDMRP, it can often be achieved within your existing ERP and with your existing team while seeing a big return. In an uncertain economy, it can also help you forecast better and find long-term savings, so you don’t have to dispose of unused inventory.

Look for small areas to start that will help you see the greatest rewards.

b) Look for Funding, Grants, and Pilot Programs

Two big concerns with any technology project are:

How are we going to pay for that? And
Is this really going to work for our business?

This is the heart of business risk — and both risks can be mitigated.

Funding and grants are one way to resolve the first issue. In southern Ontario, for example, the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) association recently released a Technology Assessment Program (TAP) grant of up to $25,000 to help manufacturers find bottlenecks and improve processes.

This is far from the only funding available. We’ve written before about programs that help pay for ERP systems.

In the wake of COVID-19, we may see even more assistance of this kind as provincial, state, and federal governments work to keep manufacturing local, even near-shore existing supply chains. A business transformation partner can help you stay in the know about these opportunities.

There are also programs available for some processes that reduce organizational risk — the second common objection of whether a process works for your business.

Going back to DDMRP, for example, a Demand-Driven Pilot Program allows businesses to test out the process before committing fully to it. Shorter trainings, such as DDBRIX and Demand-Driven Planner courses, can help your team learn more about these processes first.

You don’t have to throw caution to the wind. Instead, you can use that caution to guide your decisions strategically.

c) Seek Out Help

This time may be unprecedented, but you’re not alone. A business transformation consultant can help you make a plan for the changes ahead that works with your budget and your needs.

For instance, at SHEA Global we offer project scopes at a fixed cost and a fixed timeline, so you can prepare ahead for the costs. We can also help you create a strategic timeline and blueprint for change, find funding opportunities, and beyond.

An experienced partner has just that — experience. They will have an understanding of what will work and what challenges might come up for your business and be able to adapt accordingly – including solution selection, implementation, employee buy-in, process automation, and more.

You don’t have to risk your entire company to start making change. And not making any change could be the greatest risk of all.

SHEA Global is your end-to-end business transformation partner. Reach out to us today for a consultation.

Inventory Control: How Our DDMRP Solution Can Work for You

SHEA Global Limited — 16/06/2022

Traditional material requirements planning has been largely forecast-driven, using formulas to reduce risk by staging emergency inventory throughout the supply chain. However, as the recent pandemic has shown, an unexpected event can dismantle even the best-laid plans. Fortunately, demand-driven material requirements planning (DDMRP) offers industries a modern, more sophisticated inventory control.

What is DDMRP?

Structured around a “position, protect, and pull” approach, DDMRP takes forecasting out of the equation.

Instead, DDMRP tracks real-time fluctuations and “positions” key materials or components at critical points in the supply chain.

These items are “protected” using inventory as a buffer. This is different than traditional MRP because this buffer inventory is deployed dynamically as opposed to being forecasted at the beginning of the planning.

Finally, buffer inventory is “pulled” using visual cues to maintain stock within a certain range. These cycles are constantly tracked, and the data is used to collaborate with supply chain partners to continue to optimize operations.

Best-in-Class Inventory Control

Our DDMRP solution offers out-of-the-box integration with Microsoft Dynamics AX2012 and 365 and SYSPRO, which will support both on-premises and cloud installations. It is a seamless replacement for the standard generation of a master plan.

If you would like to see a personal demonstration of how our DDMRP software can improve your inventory control, contact one of our offices or visit our website.

And if you need further training to implement DDMRP, we can help! As a proud member of Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, we provide virtual training at your convenience. NGen members get training for half-price—membership is free, so take advantage of these easy savings.

Click here to learn more about this training program.

Retail Technology: Sophisticated Solutions for Modern Challenges

SHEA Global Limited — 21/07/2022

The pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of society and has particularly changed retail. As stores and brands had to adapt to lockdowns and public safety measures, consumers discovered they liked innovations like omnichannel. Now businesses can see that the stores that survive and thrive are the ones embracing Retail 4.0. Here are some examples of trending retail technologies stores can leverage to stay competitive in the new normal.

Point of Sale Systems and e-Commerce

Stores that harnessed omnichannel capabilities like buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS), same-day delivery, online shipping, and buying through social media apps have proven the most successful. The advantage of omnichannel is that it gives customers several different ways to purchase. However, the challenge then becomes developing a POS system that can accommodate all these different channels.

Since the pandemic started, nearly 60 per cent of retailers have made omnichannel their top POS priority. Other high priorities include a unified e-commerce platform and mobile POS.

Indoor Positioning Systems

Using the Internet of Things (IoT) and indoor position systems (IPS), stores can generate maps in their official app for customers that show them their location in the store and the locations of the items they’re looking for.

More than that, as IPS track a customer’s location, the app can offer them targeted suggestions and deals. Data showing customer patterns and behaviour can also provide insight into product placement.

The global indoor location market is expected to grow to almost USD 20 billion by 2026.

Inventory Management

Phantom inventory, stockouts, and other inefficiencies cost retailers time and money. Artificial intelligence can help manage inventories more effectively. For starters, AI and machine learning algorithms can more accurately forecast demand, directing retailers on which inventory to prioritize. AI-powered demand forecasting can reduce errors in supply chain networks by as much as half.

Manual end-to-end inventory management is also inefficient. AI can provide optimized history, data correction services, and location planning strategies. Moreover, AI continues to learn and upgrade, automatically using the most appropriate forecasting method.

Some estimates project that implementing AI in inventory management can reduce costs across all operations by 32 per cent.

SMART Retail

Drawing on our industry knowledge and expertise, SHEA has developed the ultimate retail technology solution. SMART Retail offers a ready-to-go, out-of-the-box implementation with features such as standardized system designs, test scripts, installable configuration, training assets, vendor ISV solutions, specific currency data, and documents.

It is ideal for:

Warehouse and distributed order management (DOM)
Replenishment planning
Reporting and standard store KPIs
Loyalty management
Product numbering retrieval
And more

If you would like to learn how you can leverage SMART Retail for your store, contact us today.

Preparing Your Business for a World of Increasing Online Retail

SHEA Global Limited — 20/05/2021

The retail landscape has been changing for a while now.

Even before the pandemic, digitalization and consumer behaviour have gradually become more focused on e-commerce.

In recent years, retail e-commerce revenue in Canada reached $24.5 billion USD.

Retailers that have traditionally been more reliant on physical stores, such as groceries and pharmacies, have heavily adopted a stronger online presence.

To prepare for the increase in online retail in the coming years, retailers not only need to ensure that their online presence reflects their branding but also ensure that their online platform is secure and customer data is protected.

What Are Common Security Threats Facing eCommerce?

Cyber attacks have been on the rise since the surge in e-commerce over the past year.

According to the Global Information Security Survey conducted by Ernst and Young, 59% of organizations have suffered from a significant security incident over the past 12 months. In addition, 48% of executive boards believe that cyber attacks and data breaches will more than moderately impact their business over the next 12 months.

Open-source software is one of the security risks that can occur because it is free to use and easy to modify for different business needs.

However, open-source software can have many vulnerabilities in the code which can cause problems when implemented on your site.

E-skimming is another type of risk that affects the checkout page, which is where customers enter their personal and bank information.

Plugins are another security concern, especially because retailers often use many plugins to customize their e-commerce sites.

Plugins can have malicious intent or can be outdated which makes them vulnerable to malicious content.

How Can Retailers Be More Secure Online?

Using cloud computing can help retailers ensure that their e-commerce sites are cyber secure for customers.

94% of enterprises already use a cloud service.

Cloud computing provides end-to-end data encryption technology to protect the data e-commerce sites send to customers and the personal and banking information that customers provide.

Cloud services also use firewalls, antivirus programs, multi-level authentication, and intrusion detection facility to fully secure sensitive data, ensure customers are verified, and prevent malicious content.

Improving Cybersecurity is Key for Online Retail

Protecting your customers online ensures a good experience with your brand.

Implementing a tool such as Microsoft Azure can provide you with a range of cloud services to help meet your cybersecurity challenges.

At SHEA Global, we can assess the security of your e-commerce site and provide solutions to help you fill in the holes that exist so your customers can shop online with confidence. Reach out today and learn how we can help you.

What Is Wrong With The Traditional Methods of Planning?

SHEA Global Limited — 16/01/2020

Traditional methods of manufacturing planning, such as MRP (Material Requirements Planning), were once the gold standard for businesses, but that is no longer the case.

Many organizations are turning away from traditional methods and towards alternatives that offer better forecasting, more flexibility in the supply chain, and lower costs.

Read on to understand exactly why these traditional methods are transforming and how to make the change in your own business.

Why Traditional Manufacturing Planning is Falling Out of Use

MRP methodology became the status quo for manufacturing when it was introduced in the 1960s, but customer needs and production planning have drastically changed since then.

Traditional planning methods, like MRP, rely on forecasting. However, using forecasting to achieve better sales and operation planning (S&OP) presents an uphill struggle– you might reach your destination, but you won’t get there quickly, or even at all.

Forecasting has traditionally depended upon bringing together data from multiple sources — usually spreadsheets — and combining this with variables, such as historic sales data and predicted batch sizes.

Even small data inaccuracies are easily magnified in the final estimate, which poses a significant problem. As typical lead times get shorter, it becomes harder to produce accurate forecasts ahead. In turn, this often leads to uncertainty and variability, which makes it difficult to scale, add new products, and optimize time-to-market.

Wasted stock and underproduction harm many businesses, yet these same organizations continue to use traditional methods that proliferate the problem. However, there is a much more effective alternative available.

How Traditional Planning is Changing

Traditional MRP is shifting to a demand-driven model, often referred to as DDMRP (demand-driven material requirements planning) or a DDOM (demand-driven operating model).

Demand-driven planning factors variability into production planning, which means planners don’t need to be overly precise. It requires simplicity in an increasingly complex and complicated supply chain, and the results speak for themselves.

One advantage of demand-driven planning is that it determines priority based on buffer status, rather than the due date. For example, if only 20% of the on-hand stock is available but the due date is six weeks away, it will be deemed a higher priority than an order due in four weeks but with 65% on-hand availability. This allows for better stock management and inventory optimization.

This is just one example of how taking a demand-driven approach changes the manufacturing process for the better — both for managing business needs and customer satisfaction. Other benefits include cost-savings, improved revenue, and more.

How to Shift Your Business from Traditional to Demand-Driven Planning

We recently spoke with Olivier Gonot, Manager at Citwell, about what it takes for a business to become demand-driven. Citwell provides consultancy in supply chain operations, customer service, and, increasingly, DDMRP projects.

“Sometimes people think that implementing DDMRP is like inputting a little buffer somewhere in the flow,” Gonot said. “Whereas when you really want to implement DDMRP and get all the savings, you’ve got to review the material flows because we add decoupling points, for example. Review process and flows, especially the planning process, forecasting process, and so on.”

Gonot recommended that businesses look at their software to ensure it supports demand-driven planning.

Taking a demand-driven approach is simple in principle. It uses strategic decoupling, buffer levels, and dynamic adjustments to meet modern market needs. However, where it can be difficult to implement a demand-driven methodology is the mindset — it requires a different way of thinking, particularly for those working in the supply chain.

“When a supply planner becomes a buffer manager, his job is changing a lot,” Gonot said.

A traditional demand or supply planner would look at the forecast, whereas a buffer manager would take care of the service level and buffer profiles. Buffer managers are flow-oriented and anticipate changing demands.

“[A buffer manager] has more time to think, to prove, to analyze,” Gonot said.

The shift to demand-driven planning can take what is often a chaotic state and bring it to a more stable footing.

To make the change to demand-driven, Gonot recommended training first and foremost.

“Very often we say to our customers when they want to learn DDMRP, a pilot, for example, we say first of all be trained,” he said. “It’s like buying a new car. We don’t give you the keys if you don’t have a license to drive.”

Moving to the Manufacturing Planning of the Future

There are many training options available for businesses looking to move away from traditional planning methods.

For instance, attending a DDBRIX workshop is a hands-on way to learn the demand-driven methodology in a risk-free, fun environment.

More training is available, through Citwell, for example, for those looking for in-depth learning.

Businesses can also test out demand-driven planning using a pilot program. At SHEA Global, we offer a DDMRP pilot program that lets operation managers learn demand-planning while seeing the results it can bring to their business.

For any organization considering transforming, Gonot had one last piece of advice:

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “It’s going to be okay.”

At SHEA Global, we have a proven record of successful demand-driven transformations. Ask us today about our training workshops, DDMRP pilot program, and other supply chain solutions. Our business experts can answer any questions and help determine what your organization needs to move away from traditional planning methods and towards a more effective system.

Why Value-Added Reseller Support is Fundamental

SHEA Global Limited — 28/11/2019

Business today is evolving. With the incoming effect of Industry 4.0, many organizations are now working towards building a smart factory in order to increase the number of high-quality products in less time-to-market and at a lower cost.

Achieving this comes with its own set of challenges. In a recent study by SMB Group and Vistage, 90% of surveyed CEOs reported that technology is changing their business in significant ways. However, only 51% have a digital business strategy underway.

Striving to transform your organization digitally and achieve operational excellence is no small feat. Evolving your business means assessing everything, from workflows to software solutions to staff resources and more, all while maintaining production and managing present-day challenges.

One of the most efficient ways to achieve both short-term success and long-term vision is by working with a partner — particularly a value-added reseller (VAR).

What is a VAR?

A value-added reseller (VAR) is typically defined as a company that resells software, hardware and networking products and places emphasis on providing value beyond order fulfillment.

The "value beyond order fulfillment" can take many forms. Traditionally, it meant adding features or services to existing software solutions and then reselling it to end-users as a "turn-key" solution.

However, as business continues to evolve, so does the definition of a VAR.

Today's VARs offer comprehensive and exhaustive added value in other ways — specifically, through professional services. Offers can include consultation, implementation, ongoing support, training, and more. Through these professional services, a VAR grows to truly understand its partner businesses and is an essential part of helping them exceed their operational goals.

Find the right solution for your business

According to research from Capterra, the average small-to-medium business spends approximately 25.7 months going through the software purchase cycle, with about 18 of those months spent on researching, evaluating, and selecting a system.

Even with investing that time on selection, it's still quite common for businesses to choose the wrong solution.

ERP funding expert, Igor Chigrin, recently told us that one of the biggest issues that businesses seeking ERP funding run into is picking the wrong solution. They might get the funding but realize two years down the road that the ERP solution they picked doesn't truly address their business needs.

The way to avoid a costly misdiagnosis and speed up the selection process is to start with the problem first.

VARs take the time to truly understand your business before recommending a solution — and in some cases, the solution they recommend might not even be software-related or might be found in an existing product your team is already using. Research and expert knowledge enable them to truly recommend the best solution for your needs.

You can also garner economies of scale by working with a VAR. They find software solutions that do more and exceed the targets and outcomes you have set at a lower cost to your business.

Feel powerful support from day one to year five and beyond

Even after you select the right solution, you still need a plan for building it into your business.

According to ERP Focus, 95% of ERP projects that failed dedicated less than 10% of the total budget to education, training, and change management.

Support doesn't end at product purchase. In fact, your support should start well before that and continue long after. With a VAR, that's exactly what you receive. Technical questions, upgrades and termination of mainstream support will be stresses of the past.

You can also find support for planning beyond the technical specifications. A partner will help implement the solution; plan your data migration and develop a single source of truth; create a realistic project budget and timeframe; plan for ongoing staff onboarding; make tough decisions (such as to customize or not to customize), and so on.

A VAR can help with it all — with no extra resources needed for your company.

Execute long-term strategic vision while meeting day-to-day business challenges

Planning a long-term strategic vision while managing daily operational demands is a delicate balance — particularly in a fast-changing industry. You want to have an eye towards crafting a smart factory, but orders may be piling up today. You want to create more products, but you may have a shortage of skilled labour.

Present-day challenges and long-term strategies often go hand-in-hand. The very same technological, workflow, and operational issues that are affecting you today can also be hindering your future growth.

And the very same solution can help you resolve both: your partner.

For instance:

If facing challenges with inventory production sustainability, a partner can help create efficiencies in your material requirements planning (MRP) process — that will also help you grow your long-term product line
If data security is a concern, a partner can ensure your software is upgraded consistently and you have adequate support
If skilled labour shortages are affecting your team, a partner can add another resource at a lower cost, while helping you find efficiencies within your current staff and identifying areas for reskilling
If time-to-market needs to be faster, a partner will identify ways to speed up production while keeping overhead efficient — and create a scalable model for the future
If traceability and industry regulations aren't being met, a partner will work with you to find a workflow that ensures they are incorporated

While all of these challenges can tie back to the software solution you choose, they often go beyond the technology. A VAR partner contributes to both, making recommendations to achieve present-day operational excellence that also support your vision for the future.

End-to-end business transformation and ongoing optimization

Achieving business excellence is a long-term journey, and a value-added reseller partner is your guide. The right VAR is more than just a software vendor — they are your strategic partner in end-to-end transformation and ongoing optimization.

Look for a VAR who works within your industry and business size. Consider the scope of their expertise and whether it meets your business goals, needs, and culture. Ask about a VAR's track record and review any case studies or testimonials available. Speak with other clients of your prospective VAR to see what their experience was like.

With the right partner, you can maximize your technology investment while ensuring that all aspects of your organization are aligned for the long-term vision.

SHEA Global has a proven track record of helping our clients achieve operational excellence. Contact us for digital transformation consulting and more to see how we can help you achieve business better.

Automotive Industry – How to be Prepared to Stay Ahead of Electric Vehicles

SHEA Global Limited — 30/09/2021

In the coming decades, the Canadian government plans to implement electric vehicles as the only option available for sale.

Electronic vehicles are becoming more popular amongst car buyers. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they are also cheaper to maintain and more affordable to power than gas-fueled vehicles.

Consumers spent 120 billion USD on electric car purchases in 2020. That’s a 50% increase from 2019.

In addition, governments across the world invested 14 billion USD on direct purchase incentives and tax deductions for electric cars in 2020, a 25% year-on-year rise.

As electric vehicles become more popular in Canada, here are some consumer trends that manufacturers and companies in the auto industry need to consider.

Customer Centricity

As consumer preferences and routines change, dealers and manufacturers in the auto industry are looking for new ways to interact with customers.

Customer-centricity is one of the keys to customer relationship management and developing long-lasting relationships with your clients.

It provides dealers and manufacturers with more opportunities to focus on what customers want and bring those ideas to the table.

For example, Hyundai Motor Company announced last year that their new line of electric cars, Ioniq, will offer customer-centric electronic vehicle experiences focused on connected lifestyle solutions.

Digital Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management

Digital manufacturing and supply chain networks are also becoming more resilient, agile, modular, and flexible.

Transparency, data, and collaboration with suppliers, distributors, and other parts of the supply chain network are crucial to building the efficiency and optimization needed to remain competitive.

Implementing technology such as the Internet of Things can help auto dealers and manufacturers gain insights to streamline operations, make smarter choices, and reduce costs. It allows them to focus better on investing resources into the quality of products and customer service.

More Training in Software Skills

As electric vehicles become more prevalent, the set of skills that auto dealers and manufacturers need also change.

While engineering-driven skills were in high demand before, the industry will start to see a more noticeable pivot towards software-driven skills across the whole automotive value chain.

How We Help

At SHEA Global, we help you assess, strategize, and implement solutions that help you throughout the supply chain.

Whether you need more visibility and agility throughout the manufacturing process, updated training, or better customer-centric relationship management, we have the tools to streamline your operations so you can focus on where you are needed the most.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!

Managing Security Risks That Come with Remote Work

SHEA Global Limited — 05/11/2020

Most of us have adapted to listening to children chipping in on conversations, seeing our co-worker’s dog get cozy on their lap and virtually catching-up on Fridays for happy hour.

While it seemed like a temporary arrangement, we are now getting used to this new reality. It’s time to get comfortable and get that work chair you’ve been meaning to buy!

About 40% of Canadians are in jobs that can be done remotely.

In the wake of the pandemic, many companies, including Microsoft, Shopify, and Twitter, have gone as far as making remote work permanent!

This paradigm shift toward remote work isn’t sudden. Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the process of work from home adoption but this is a trend that was noticed a lot earlier.

While this is an exciting development, with remote jobs comes an added challenge of managing security risks. A survey by the Lanop Accountancy Group, published in Toolbox for IT, shares that remote workers are more vulnerable to security risk and data breaches.

Of those surveyed, 59% reported an increase in email phishing cyberattacks since the transition to remote work.

The recent Twitter hack, in July, for example; was the result of a successful phishing campaign against Twitter employees. The attack was successful because of the urgent push to work from home.

As employees continue to work remotely, it is critical for you to put protocols in place and leverage security technology to tackle potential challenges:

Start by developing a remote work policy and ensuring that it is communicated to everyone.
Ascertain remote access requirements for both on-premise or cloud applications.
As providing access on unknown devices can be risky, consider keeping work data on company-provided devices only.
Lastly and most importantly understand the security features of the remote work solutions you are deploying and test them for scale.

Let’s talk about collaboration tools and take Microsoft Teams as an example.

Is Microsoft Teams secure?

Built on Microsoft Azure and the Microsoft 365 platform, Microsoft Teams provides several security and compliance features.

Conditional Access Policies allow you to control when, where, and how your corporate data is accessed; such as requiring Multi Factor Authentication, or not allowing staff to access corporate data from personal devices.

To protect against phishing and stolen credentials, Administrators can require users to utilize multi-factor authentication, through Azure Active Directory.

If you’re worried about malicious content, there is an Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) feature in Teams. This feature identifies and blocks malicious content from user access.

Similarly, the application also has a safe attachments feature to ensure that the attachments are clean. Security Administrators have the ability to create policies to prevent malicious attachments from being shared and opened.

What about insider threats and data loss?

Microsoft 365 has Data Loss Protection (DLP) solutions available that will allow you to protect your Teams and other M365 data.

What about cloud security?

To ensure data security, particularly when it comes to cloud solutions, it is important to choose a provider who has policies in place to help you protect your data – whether your employees are in the office or at home.

Built on Microsoft Azure, solutions such as Office 365, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform include security, privacy, and compliance as key components of their offerings. The Microsoft Trust Center outlines all of the security & compliance services provided by Microsoft.

Though, you don’t have to do all this alone.

As you adopt remote work, SHEA Global can help you ensure that you’re managing security risks and leveraging the right solutions to ensure your data stays protected. Contact us today to assess your business needs, review options, and formulate or update your remote work strategy.

Security Tips for Organizations With Remote Workers from The Canadian Center for Cyber Security: https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/telework-security-issues-itsap10016

Manufacturing Grants and More: Unlock Funding the Easy Way with This Webinar

SHEA Global Limited — 17/09/2020

Manufacturing innovations have the potential to bring about global changes.

At the start of the 20th century, it took over half a day to build a car. Then one fine day, Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line and laid the foundation of mass production that we rely so heavily on today.

To everyone’s surprise … with this innovation, the time required to build a car was almost 5 times less!

Today, manufacturing innovation is just as relevant, but we have added complexities resulting from a global pandemic.

Right now, the main priority for many manufacturers is to determine what funds are available to sustain and potentially grow their business.

What if we tell you that there are business funding opportunities out there that you can benefit from? Even better, what if you can find money within your own business?

Yes, it’s all possible! Who knows, you may even be the next trendsetting innovator!

At SHEA Global, we have teamed up with 123 Grants & Catax to show you how to find and apply for the many grants that are available for manufacturers in the UK. We can also help you recognise what counts as innovation within your company and access generous R&D tax credits available in the UK.

Recently, one of our engineering clients has been rewarded with £357,000 of government tax incentives! The reason? They revolutionised the way aircraft engines are cleaned. This tax incentive couldn’t have come at a better time for them and it is now helping the business continue their innovation journey.

COVID-19 has uncovered inefficiencies and highlighted areas of improvement for many manufacturing businesses.

It has also shown us that investing in innovation is critical to ensure business resilience and success. Advanced manufacturing equipment and technologies can help in lowering operating costs, increasing product quality, and most importantly improving customer experience.

To date, 123 Grants & Catax have worked with over 14,000 businesses and delivered over £300 million back to these businesses.

No matter what size or type of manufacturing business you have – we are confident that we can help you unlock thousands of pounds to aid your business plans.

With grants available from £10k to over £1m and tax credits with typical values of over £50k, this is a webinar you don’t want to miss.

So, join us as we discuss 3 smart ways to get money into your business:

Grants

Learn which grants are available for UK manufacturers, how much business funding you can secure, what you can spend the grant funds on, and more.

R&D Tax Credits

You might be surprised to find out what makes a good R&D claim! Learn exactly what you can claim and listen to success stories of manufacturing companies who’ve received astounding tax credits.

Capital Allowances on Commercial Property

Think of your commercial property and all the things embedded in it. We’ll walk you through how a significant part of your commercial property value can be reclaimed from HMRC. No matter when you bought it!

In addition to these insights, our specialists will be on hand to answer all of your questions as well. You can even book a 1 to 1 online meeting afterwards to make sure that your business is not missing out.

We look forward to having you with us on Thursday, September 24, 2020, at 2:00 PM (BST).

See further details and register for free here. https://hubs.la/H0wnFlr0

Change vs. Change Management – How to Prepare Your Employees for Organizational Change

SHEA Global Limited — 17/06/2021

Organizations are always striving to improve.

Whether it’s leveraging the latest technology or implementing better internal processes, organizations are constantly finding ways to do business better.

What’s the difference between change and change management?

Change is simply a movement out of a current state by implementing a period of transition to reach a desired future state. For example, moving to an integrated system from legacy systems or introducing new equipment to a certain business process.

Change management is about facilitating organizational change by supporting the workforce through their transition processes. For example, individuals’ access to new integrated databases, upskilling the workforce as new products impact how jobs are done, or executing newly documented and managed processes.

How does change management occur?

There are different levels of change management.

Individual change management – Requires an understanding of what motivates people to change and how leaders can incorporate tactics that facilitate individual change into the day-to-day business operations.

Organizational change management – Requires looking at long-term goals as a key part of implementing change on a company-wide level. Often used in project management processes, leaders need to focus on identifying teams that will be affected and supporting them through the process.

Enterprise change management – Requires restructuring in every aspect of an organization. Leaders need to think about leadership, projects, procedures, roles, processes, and organizational structure to identify how to effectively implement change.

Why should organizations care about change management?

The world is always changing, and companies are changing along with it.

Change is a common part of an organization’s growth and success.

There are different types of changes that can occur such as developmental change, transitional change, and transformational change.

Having a well-thought-out strategy is key to adequately managing change for not only company success, but also employee satisfaction.

Change management targets the different levels within an organization to identify the necessary steps that need to occur to ensure that change is correctly implementing for long-term results.

Change management also ensures that employees have the tools and knowledge needed to perform their jobs after the changes are implemented, their questions and concerns are answered, and they understand how to perform their new responsibilities efficiently.

How can organizations plan for change and change management?

Well, coming up with a plan is already half the job completed.

The other half is to execute.

At SHEA Global, we can help you develop a broad strategy that equips your organization with the right solutions to tackle change with ease. Whether you want to focus on new business processes, implementing new skills, upgrading equipment, or something else, we will work with you to ensure a successful transition.

Is Lights-Out Manufacturing Realistic?

SHEA Global Limited — 13/08/2020

The rise of robotics and machine learning has long been a staple of pop culture. Whether its HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, R2-D2 from Star Wars, or the android Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the idea of computer-driven manufacturing is a fantasy for many.

But is it fantasy? In recent years, we’ve heard increasingly about the lights-out manufacturing trend — factories and warehouses that can operate completely in the dark using only machines. No humans needed.

While the idea of lights-out manufacturing may be appealing for many reasons, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic it has a new meaning: increased occupational health and safety.

From the start of the pandemic, we have heard about supply chain disruptions due to factories being closed for quarantine. There have also been several reports of outbreaks in manufacturing plants.

Because of this, robotics and lights-out manufacturing are not just appealing; they could be the difference between continuing to operate at full capacity and not.

The question is, is lights-out manufacturing truly realistic? As Assembly put it in a recent article, is it fact or fiction?

Can we actually achieve robotics-led manufacturing or is this just another sci-fi trope?

Let’s explore.

What Is Lights-Out Manufacturing?

To start, we need to define what, exactly, lights-out manufacturing even is.

In theory, according to Assembly, the dream of this type of factory is to be able to push a button (or hit a key on your computer or phone) and have the machines do the work for you.

“There’s an old joke that the factory of the future will be so automated that it will have just two employees: a guard dog and a person to feed it,” Assembly writes.

“Another variation on the theme is that someday there will only be a human and a dog sitting in a control room, with the dog there to make sure that the human doesn’t touch anything.”

While this type of factory may be the fantasy, it’s not necessarily the reality. In warehouses that have achieved full automation of the like, there is still a need for highly skilled employees to oversee the technology, check for quality control, and make adjustments to machinery as necessary.

However, as we move down the automation spectrum, lights-out manufacturing can also be a synonym for warehouses that rely less on human staff — otherwise known as smart manufacturing. For example, in the post-COVID-19 era, this may look more like being able to maintain manufacturing operations with staff out sick or having wider space to operate within physical distancing guidelines.

Examples of Machine-Led Manufacturing in Action

Perhaps the most well-known example of lights-out manufacturing is FANUC, a Japanese robotics company, which has been operating this way since 2001. It can reportedly operate unsupervised for up to 30 days at a time.

Philips is another manufacturer that operates with mostly machines. Based in the Netherlands, they rely on automation and robotics to manufacture electric razors. There are nine staff who oversee quality assurance.

In a different sense, Ocado has also streamlined its operations using robotics. While it is not necessarily a manufacturer, but they operate in warehouses and deliveries, relying on robotics arms to pick produce, pack and move boxes, and even self-driving vehicles.

There are more examples of smart manufacturing in action. For example, the Siemens plant in Germany enables online monitoring of globally distributed machine tools.

Hirotec is another example of smart manufacturing. According to Internet of Business, they wanted to reduce downtime, which could cost up to $361 per second. So, they employed a mix of IoT, cloud-based technologies, and small servers on factory floors. The result was a 100% reduction in manual inspection time.

Limitations of Lights-Out Manufacturing

If operating lights out is so great, then why isn’t everyone doing it?

The first reason may be cost. This type of operation often requires transforming the entire factory floor, which is a large investment. It also works best for manufacturers that produce a large volume of products — and mainly one type of product at that.

The second reason may be flexibility. One of the criticisms of robotics-led manufacturing is that it doesn’t necessarily lend itself well to flexibility and process improvement the way that human staff do. Machines must be used strategically, but it’s much harder to make changes on the fly. There are many cases where humans are still faster than robots — and process automation may be all that you need for smoother operations.

The third reason may be skill. The skills gap in manufacturing is already a difficult bridge to cross. While in theory lights-out manufacturing would require no people, the fact is that in most cases human employees are still needed who understand the technology, processes, and robotics. While this may mean fewer employees, it also means hiring staff with the skill to understand and work with this technology.

How to Move Towards the Factory of the Future

While lights-out manufacturing may be possible, it’s still rare and may not be completely achievable yet.

However, that doesn’t mean all its principles need to be thrown away. We can take many lessons from this approach and apply them to manufacturing today — particularly in the wake of COVID-19.

For instance:

Certain ERP systems can flag issues with machines and equipment using IoT sensors.
Robots as partners can improve productivity and, in some cases, even replace human employees.
It is more common in some parts of the production process — such as automated storage and warehousing for distribution companies.
You can look for process automation opportunities to reduce the need for in-person contact.
You can begin reskilling the workforce now to train for managing robotics in the future.
And so on…

While lights-out manufacturing may not be happening tomorrow, it is growing increasingly possible for the future. So, why not start preparing today, particularly as the world is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Digital transformation is a journey, and whether your end goal is lights-out operations or just a more effective business, the sooner you start on that path, the better.

What do you think about lights-out manufacturing? Is it a dream for your business? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Reach out to us today to start planning for your digital future and find solutions to optimize your manufacturing process for the post-COVID-19 world.

ERP for Automotive Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 14/04/2022

The automotive industry is at the forefront of the new digitalized industrial revolution. Vehicles and the manufacturers that build them are becoming more sophisticated thanks to automation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

However, with new technological opportunities come challenges. Fortunately, enterprise resource planning (ERP) for automotive industry management provides the modern software businesses need.

Reduced Costs and Increased Productivity

An effective ERP program will streamline an organization’s financials, supply chain, operations, commerce, reporting, manufacturing, and human resource activities into a single interface. Efficiently integrating all these branches will ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction at the same time, saving money.

An ERP system enables a lean operation, seamlessly coordinating all business activities. New employees will also only have to learn one software system, reducing training costs. Not surprisingly, in a recent survey, 82 per cent of companies achieved their projected ROI after ERP implementation.

Comprehensive Analytics

Because ERP software unites a company’s various departments, different teams can painlessly share information from income reports, expense statements, KPIs, and more, making analytics more comprehensive and holistic. By uniting accounting and operational data, ERP systems open previously unknown analytical opportunities with user-friendly dashboards and graphics.

ERP technologies can also include predictive analytics and deep learning, which surveyed CIOs highlighted as crucial for gaining competitive advantage.

Improved Customer Support

ERP systems can integrate with customer service management software, allowing users to reach their marketing goals, such as reaching out to a larger audience, nurturing leads in the sales funnel and converting them to sales, and building on existing relationships by communicating with customers through all stages of the purchase process. In a survey on ERP usage, 75 per cent of CIOs said they were leveraging their ERP to engage customers in real time.

Optimized Production and Inventory Management

Well organized production and inventory processes are crucial in the automotive industry. An effective ERP system offers simplified, systematic productive and inventory management that avoids excess stock and inefficient distribution, avoiding unnecessary costs.

When asked to identify areas where ERP produced the most ROI, after reduced IT costs, the top responses were reduced inventory levels and reduced cycle times.

Annata 365 is an industry-leading ERP add-on for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, designed specifically for the automotive, equipment, rental, and fleet industries.

Whether you are a fleet management company, a logistics company, or a parts manufacturer, contact us at https://sheaglobal.com to find out how SHEA automotive solutions can help your business run more efficiently.

Digital Manufacturing – The More Intelligent Way of Manufacturing

SHEA Global Limited — 23/09/2021

Technology has provided many benefits to the manufacturing world.

Processes that heavily relied on manual labor can now be accomplished through software.

Distributions and assembly lines that were tedious and prone to errors can now be accurately and efficiently accomplished through automation.

Innovative technology not only provides streamlined operations and better response to disruptions but also provides data and agility.

One innovative technology solution that has greatly benefited manufacturing plants in recent years is the of Things (IoT) solutions.

IoT solutions are part of the evolution of Industry 4.0. It enables digital manufacturing solutions, making manufacturing more agile, safer, and less costly.

Here are some of the trends in digital manufacturing that manufacturers and companies should consider.

Real-Time Insights Throughout the Manufacturing Plant

Customers want real-time insights to know exactly what’s happening with their purchases.

Similarly, manufacturing plants should have real-time insights throughout their operations to keep track of equipment, assembly lines, consumption data, power sources, and more.

Thorough tracking of all the processes and resources occurring inside a manufacturing plant can help identify ways to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of operations.

With the help of IoT, real-time insights are easy to obtain. It can track pressure, temperature, voltage, switches, and more which helps detect leaks or risks that could cause damages, injuries, or financial losses.

Detailed Tracking Throughout the Supply Chain

Manufacturers need to track their components, inventory, and assets within the supply chain.

Tracking also identifies efficient supply chain routes and disruptions to find optimal delivery paths and times to save money on warehousing and transportation.

Lastly, supply chain tracking using IoT helps manufacturers optimize inventory replenishments.

For example, if inventory is running low, IoT can always alert manufacturers and simplify the order management process to ensure adequate supply.

It also helps save costs and reduce the environmental impact of the replenishment processes.

Maintaining Actionable and Responsive Plans

There will always be disruptions and challenges in the manufacturing world.

The good news is that digital manufacturing can provide manufacturers with data to make informed decisions about contingency plans, safety, or plant operations.

A thorough digital manufacturing assessment requires a team of experts to support its strategy and execution.

That’s where SHEA Global comes in.

We offer fully integrated software solutions that give manufacturers full control over planning, production, distribution, and accounting operations.

We’ll provide an assessment of the challenges that you face and focus on a strategy that uses innovative technologies and digital manufacturing to streamline operations, save money, and become more efficient and responsive.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!

Variability is the New Normal: Supply Chain Planning for the Real World

SHEA Global Limited — 14/05/2020

By Roger Fleury

When it comes to supply chain planning, there are often two sides to the proverbial coin:

What we want to happen with forecasts and recommendations and careful planning; and
What actually happens when the forecasts make it to the operations floor.

Unfortunately, it’s far too common for traditional material requirements planning (MRP) systems to be inflexible. The long-term forecasts that are planned out so carefully (often by an internal committee) end up being ignored by planners and schedulers because they are no longer relevant.

This flexibility is needed now more than ever as the world copes with the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19.

How can we create more flexibility in our MRP systems to be able to quickly produce, scale, and meet demand in the changing “new normal”?

How can our supply chains create less waste, less stock, shorter lead times, higher customer service OTIF, and better staff morale?

How can we operate a system that reacts to real-world customer demand whilst allowing company-specific rules to be incorporated?

There is an answer: demand planning, also known as the Demand Driven Operating Model (DDOM). While a DDOM can affect all areas of an organization, we can start to achieve it by revamping the traditional MRP process to become a demand-driven model — DDMRP.

There’s just one problem: often, businesses have challenges implementing DDMRP. While DDMRP provides a better way of doing things, an organization needs to get to the point where they can gain the benefits of it. Let’s look at why these roadblocks occur and how to move past them to drive better results, sooner.

Why DDMRP Matters Now More Than Ever

Variability is at an all-time high. In fact, it feels inadequate to call it “variability.” We’ve all experienced massive shocks to our businesses, the economy, and our lifestyles in 2020 thus far.

The truth is that we don’t know what the world will look like in three months right now, let alone three years. Variability is the new normal and ignoring it is unacceptable.

Yet how can we forecast when the future is so unknown?

A demand-driven model achieves this – both in the short-term and the long-term.

This crisis has shone a spotlight on the weaknesses of certain businesses’ supply chains and the assumptions that drive them. The one variable that can be changed the quickest is management assumptions — self-imposed restrictions that you put on yourself. Those can be changed overnight.

Operating the way you are because you’ve always done it that way is never a good excuse. Nobody is suggesting that you ditch your existing suppliers just for the sake of it. But with the demand-driven mindset, you can find efficiencies with existing suppliers and in your own planning process to create a more agile business.

Demand-driven is more than just an inventory tool. It addresses a whole suite of fundamental issues about the way a business organizes itself to satisfy the customer.

Getting Into the Demand-Driven Mindset

The critical thing for any organization looking to engage in demand planning is to understand that demand-driven, for most people at the moment, requires a mindset change to appreciate the different approach.

On the educational side, this mindset shift can be accelerated with programs, such as the two-day Demand Driven Planner course.

On the less formal side, we have sessions that are nonetheless just as useful, like DDBRIX.

We can also provide software training, pilot programs, change management support, and more to help organizations put demand-driven operating into place.

However, we also must remember that education needs to be constant as staff members change. Until demand planning is taught widely in schools, taking it on as an organization means committing to continual learning for new team members — and existing ones as well.

To that end, the second part of the mindset shift involves working not only with members of the planning team, but also communicating with other departments.

Let’s take the finance department, for example.

Most financial teams will be focused on the unit price of inventory, which in turn often leads to buying in bulk. However, buying in bulk is only cheaper until you’re left with a pile of unused inventory. And it’s contrary to the mindset of flow.

In order to truly implement DDMRP, the financial team needs to understand that a slightly higher unit price upfront will be offset and even out in the end. Again, training such as a DDBRIX workshop or a webinar can help build this mindset.

Production capacity, distribution networks, warehouse capacity, inventory investments… All of these would change when you look at it from a demand-driven perspective. But the reason for that is the demand-driven methodology makes sense.

The Short-Term and Long-Term of DDMRP

In the short-term, demand-driven planning allows us to drive inventory reduction while maintaining customer service.

Then there are further gains over the long-term — the gains of having reduced lead times. Of having agility in your business. Of taking on less risk.

In some cases, businesses view a demand-driven model as riskier. If you think that exploring the demand-driven methodology is risky, then let me ask you this – how risky is placing a whole season’s supplies on order overseas months before the start of the season?

We’ve seen reports of apparel manufacturers, for example, now having to repurpose the 2020 spring collection for spring 2021 because they have so much unused inventory. With DDMRP, while this may not be avoided entirely, it would very likely be reduced.

How risky is continuing to do things the same way?

Nobody is saying that moving to demand-driven is easy and it’s going to be done and dusted in three months, but you can certainly step into the new methodology in that time. And the sooner you do, the more benefits you will reap.

Whether demand is surging or flatlining right now, you need a way to plan efficiently and effectively — and that allows you to rapidly adjust for the future.

On Thursday, May 21, I am hosting a webinar about moving to a demand-driven supply chain: Real World Supply Chain Planning with DDMRP. It’s happening at 11:30 a.m. EST (4:30 p.m. BST) online — 100% remotely.

I’d love for you to join me in exploring what the demand-driven methodology is and how to successfully implement it in your organization.

I’ll be talking more in-depth about the practical processes, set up, system integrations and I’ll be answering any questions that you have.

See details and register here: https://learn.sheaglobal.com/realworldplanning

Can’t make the webinar? No problem — we’re still here for you. At SHEA Global, we’re experts in DDMRP implementation and can help your business adapt to these unprecedented times. Contact us for more information.

Challenges with Product Data Exchange Between Engineering and Manufacturing

SHEA Global Limited — 28/05/2020

By Bluestar PLM by PDM technology

Collaboration, transparency, centralized and easy-to-access product documentation and drawings, short time-to-market, fast product configuration, traceable engineering change orders, etc...

If you work within Manufacturing, you are aware of the importance of the terms and processes mentioned above.

Especially now, when companies need to reduce working hours, work in shifts, and still make sure products are ready to be manufactured.

It is not a secret that daily Engineering and Manufacturing teams experience several challenges in connection to sharing and tracking product data, which often leads to costly mistakes for the company and delayed customers’ orders.

But what does it look like from their perspective?

The Siloed Engineering Teams

The Engineering department within a manufacturing company is the hub for product design, innovation, and the place responsible for delivering compliant products, aligned with customers’ wishes.

However, this department can be considered as a single entity, co-existing with the rest of the departments, as they work in detached systems, causing dispersed data.

Out of 240 surveyed companies, Tech-Clarity found in their latest research about “Empower Engineers with Cutting-Edge Design Tools” that 45% stated that the top challenge in today’s design environments is the lack of integration and data flow across tools. Coming in a close second, 39% experienced difficulties finding and managing design data.

What does this mean?

Usually, the Engineering part of a company uses local folders or separate data management systems (PDM) to keep their engineering information in one place. However, often these systems are detached from the company’s legacy system — ERP. This creates silos within the company, leading to design bottlenecks due to lack of access to manufacturing data from the ERP in the moment of need. As a result, the delayed design processes lead to supply chain interruptions.

Another research from Tech-Clarity (“Avoid Non-Value Added Work for Engineers”) showed that engineers spend more than one-third of their time on non-value-added activities. Such activities include recreating design, searching for parts, manually entering data into the ERP, and gathering information for other departments.

Today, manufacturing companies own big amounts of product data, which is difficult to be re-used as engineers spend a lot of time finding the needed information. In fact, the product information is available in different formats and on various locations, which makes engineers’ jobs more tedious.

These practices contribute to longer design bottlenecks and the lack of unified operations between departments, which reflects on customers’ order fulfillment.

Manufacturing and the Cost of a Mistake

While engineering teams struggle with finding the right data to deliver design drawings and the latest product configurations on time, manufacturing is the department responsible for making sure that all up-to-date product information is available and compliant before proceeding to production.

Like the “siloed” design department, Manufacturing often lacks fast access to the latest engineering data. And not only that. Today, manufacturing companies are demanded to respond to customer requests in the most efficient way, which requires fast product configurations and full revision control.

Furthermore, these product configurations go through several engineering change cycles before final approval, which is handled manually by Engineering. These standard processes are time-consuming as the Manufacturing team does not have an overview of the ongoing product changes, nor revision control, and has no traceability of the latest product documentation. Consequentially, Manufacturing spends a lot of time gathering product information without being certain if they have the latest revision.

From Siloed Manufacturing to Unified Operations in Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (D365F&O)

As mentioned earlier, most Manufacturing companies use separate systems for managing their product-related processes. Usually, Engineering uses PDM/PLM systems where all product designs and drawings are stored in local vaults. Manufacturing, on the other hand, works in the Dynamics ERP where they operate with orders, inventory, and receive the manually entered product data from Engineering.

But how to avoid redundant data, trace the latest Engineering changes, and use the right product documentation for production?

To improve collaboration between Engineering and Manufacturing, a common playground has to be implemented where product data is automatically exchanged between PLM and D365F&O and is available without the need for exporting/importing data manually.

Dynamics 365 connects different departments across the enterprise. However, it does not handle the Engineering part of the company. They are still left out of the ERP.

The manufacturing industry relies on unified operations, and this can be achieved by bringing Engineering onboard with Dynamics.

Although there already exist a lot of PLM systems that provide a wide range of features, they still fail to provide a link between PLM and Dynamics 365. Some systems provide partial integration but none a full cycle PLM within it.

A full Dynamics-based PLM can be the perfect way to unite Engineering and Manufacturing.

Learn How on June 16!

SHEA Global and Bluestar PLM by PDM technology will demonstrate how Dynamics 365 can facilitate the Engineering team. The webinar will show how the product data challenges between Engineering and Manufacturing can be solved for good. Sign up for the webinar here. <link to https://learn.sheaglobal.com/bluestar>

COVID-19 and the Workplace Part 1: Global Supply Chain Disruption

SHEA Global Limited — 19/03/2020

What Does This Mean for Manufacturers?

Global supply chains are facing disruption under the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

In the first two months of 2020 alone, we saw stock prices fall, interest rates cut due to the threat, and major businesses, such as Apple, issuing warnings that they will miss their revenue forecasts.

Across the world, the COVID-19 is causing manufacturing delays that are affecting almost all industries.

Global Supply Chain Disruption – Why Is It Happening?

The spread of COVID-19 has led to the closure of many factories in China as employees are quarantined. As a result, in February 2020, China’s manufacturing, which makes up a third of the world’s manufacturing and is the world’s largest exporter, hit a record low.

In January, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped from 50 to 35.7. According to the BBC, COVID-19 is having a bigger impact than last decade’s financial crisis.

Some analysis has compared the COVID-19 outbreak to the SARS epidemic of 2002-2003. However, Harvard Business Review noted that it’s a very different landscape now.

In the past 18 years, China has more than doubled its share of trade with the rest of the world. Many more industries are reliant on its production.

According to The Canadian Press, smartphone production is as low as 10% of its normal levels. Even other industries outside of manufacturing — such as airlines, tourism, and the oil and gas economy – are taking a hit.

The result is a massive supply chain disturbance for many businesses.

Creating a More Resilient Supply Chain

The spread of COVID-19 and subsequent disruption has many manufacturers considering their own production practices.

The disturbance has pointed to a need for more resilient supply chains. Several methods can be used to achieve this.

Reshoring, Onshoring, and Nearshoring

One of the considerations many organizations are making is changing their supply chain to reduce reliance on China. This includes reshoring closer to home.

According to Harvard Business Review, COVID-19 “illustrates the vulnerability of having so many sources located in one spot — and a spot that is far away from critical markets in North America, Europe, and Latin America.”

Manufacturers are achieving this in two ways: by redesigning supply chains with second sources, so there is a backup capacity, and by redesigning to source locally.

Deloitte reported that in the first eight months of 2019, U.S. imports from China were down 12.7%. In the same period, imports from Mexico and Vietnam rose.

While in the past, onshoring or nearshoring was considered cost-prohibitive, automation and technology innovations are making it much more accessible.

Increased Supply Chain Automation

To the previous point, one of the ways that nearshoring is becoming more accessible is through supply chain automation.

Through increased technology, manufacturers can lower production costs, increase output, and decrease vulnerability to health risks.

For instance, some factories are working towards, or have already achieved, lights-out manufacturing, where equipment can run with limited-to-no staff physically present and be monitored remotely.

Through automation technology, machines can even diagnose problems and prevent equipment failures. These innovations are making it more possible than ever to reshore the supply chain.

AI (artificial intelligence) isn’t the only automation technology coming onto the scene. AR (augmented reality) is also becoming more prominent. AR technology is closer than many realize and allows organizations to perform quality control, process orders, increase capacity, and more remotely.

While this automation technology doesn’t replace human staff, it does make it easier for those in the manufacturing department to work remotely and carry on operations even during disruptions.

Demand Driven Operating Models

Beyond technology alone, many manufacturers are also looking at their supply chain processes. Traditional material requirements planning (MRP) is being traded in for a more efficient and effective model — the demand-driven operating model (DDOM).

This design enables companies to rapidly reconfigure their supply chains and be more agile and responsive to fast-changing trade policies, production changes, and even factory disruptions.

A demand-driven model also helps create contingency plans for mitigating risks and aids manufacturers in staying operational, even in the face of turmoil.

For example, Harvard Business Review reported that in the first few weeks of January 2020, “companies that had mapped their supply chain already knew which parts and raw materials were originating in the Wuhan and Hubei areas and, as a result, could bypass the frantic hunt for information and fast-track their responses.”

By shifting the planning mindset, manufacturers can adapt to market changes much more efficiently.

How Manufacturers Can Adapt

On Thursday, March 26 at 11:30 a.m. (GMT-4), SHEA Global is hosting a live webinar about Business Continuity in Times of Crisis, where we will guide you on best practices to help minimize operational disruptions and limit the overall impact of COVID-19 on your organization and staff.

In this webinar, you will learn:

Providing secure remote access to business-critical systems to your teams
Enhancing employee collaboration even in remote work environments
How to protect your digital assets on the cloud and through back-ups
How to minimize disruption to your accounts payable and receivables
Tips on how to best support your employees and customers

Learn more about the webinar and register.

While COVID-19 is a present threat to manufacturers, the solution is to find the long-term practices and technology that can prevent future risks from having the same effect. Through reshoring, automation, demand-driven practices, and more, manufacturers can create more resilient supply chains and organizations that keep them protected into the future.

How is your manufacturer coping with the COVID-19 disruptions? What challenges are you facing and what solutions are you turning to? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

If you are struggling with transitioning your organization to working remotely or need assistance in protecting your assets, we’re here to help. SHEA Global and our partners are offering quick response solutions to help keep our customers operational. Please contact your account manager if you need assistance or give us a call us at +1 (289) 317-1959. In addition, you may also email us at info@sheaglobal.com.

How Manufacturing Paves The Way For Opportunities Outside of The Sector

SHEA Global Limited — 26/11/2020

When you think of working in the manufacturing sector, many people think of engineers and production operatives. However, the sector also produces many opportunities in other careers that are needed to support manufacturing. One such company is SHEA Global who provides Cloud Services to industry, offering leadership and guidance in recommending the best technology solutions for businesses.

Supporting industries such as high-tech engineering, manufacturing and food production in 20 different countries, SHEA Global offers IT-based roles to professionals who use their experience in manufacturing in order to better understand their customer's needs. In 2020, the UK based SHEA division employed three people who had all been in customer-facing roles in the past, two of whom already had the experience of working in manufacturing.

“Those who have worked in manufacturing in the past are very valuable to us as they have a better understanding of how our customers' businesses work. It is much easier for us from a training point of view to develop such employee's skills in IT. This is a great example of how manufacturing can open up new opportunities in terms of careers,” Roger Fleury, Practice Lead at SHEA Global, explained.

During the 2020 pandemic, the firm saw an increase in supplying these services to the sector. Roger added: “We noticed many manufacturers investing in our Cloud-based services during the pandemic as many people moved online to sell their products or services.”

Working in an IT-based role, such as with SHEA Global, is hugely beneficial to the sector, as they help manufacturers get up to speed with the digital world and offer the best platforms available to them.

Homeworking has also been a permanent aspect for employees at SHEA Global for the past 3 years, making it a tech-savvy and digitally minded place to work. This proves that working within the sector doesn't mean directly for a manufacturer but can include being in a role that helps support an industry vital for our economy.

Roger concluded: “There are so many roles in manufacturing and the opportunities are varied. Manufacturing creates a multitude of other jobs, like the work we do support the sector. It really is the lifeblood of the economy, bringing many different areas together.”

Fleet Management Companies – Benefits of ERP for Your Business

SHEA Global Limited — 28/10/2021

Fleet management focuses on managing the types of vehicles that a business uses during operations.

It could be cars to deliver consulting services, trucks that drive products from one place to another, or vans that carry equipment.

Companies that own fleets know the importance of proper fleet management to stay organized and efficient.

How Do Fleet Management Systems Help Businesses?

There are many fleet management systems out there that can provide companies with the insights they need to maintain and manage their fleets and ensure smooth operations.

One of the main benefits is that it provides real-time insights and data into road conditions, vehicle routes, and operational progress.

Not only does it help companies ensure that their deliveries are on time and provide reports that can increase the productivity of fleets, but it also ensures the safety of drivers.

For example, if a driver on the road was speeding or driving in dangerous road conditions, fleet management systems can provide real-time notifications that alert the drivers.

Why You Should Use an ERP Software for Fleet Management

ERP software help businesses gain better control of their inventory, operations, and financials.

It can integrate with familiar Office applications to help you learn, scale, and use solutions that fit your business need.

ERP software has many benefits.

It helps companies schedule drivers, delivery times, and routes and get insights on how long drivers spend on the road.

ERP software also helps companies manage the costs of maintaining and using their fleet.

They can easily record and monitor the costs of managing, servicing, and operating the overall fleet of vehicles.

Companies can also generate reports on a specific vehicle to identify associated costs and make informed choices about bids from third-party fleet providers or the qualifications of drivers.

We can Help

Selecting the right ERP partner for your business is just as important as deciding to use fleet management system software.

At SHEA Global, we are committed to helping you assess your fleet challenges and find the best solution to help you stay efficient and organized.

Whether you need a solution to generate reports, organize data and costs, or provide real-time insights, we have the tools for you.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!

Recent Trends in IT: What You Should Have on Your Radar

SHEA Global Limited — 17/02/2022

An article from McKinsey in the fall of 2021 said that we should expect more technological progress in the next decade than we did in the last 100 years put together. And it’s no surprise considering the next-level advances in automation, artificial intelligence, connectivity, and computing power. These recent trends in IT aren’t just adding to what’s already available; they’re exponentially changing the game.

Businesses that ignore these trends and fail to take advantage will be left behind quickly, scrambling to catch up.

Heads in the Cloud

McKinsey estimates that 70 per cent of companies will be using hybrid-cloud or multi-cloud platforms in 2022, which will help increase agility and reduce costs. Within the next five years, Deloitte expects the cloud market industry to reach 640 billion USD.

The advantages are clear. Offloading business processes to the cloud makes organizations nimbler and more efficient. The cloud’s scalability allows companies of varying sizes to take advantage of the current digital transformation of business processes.

For example, Microsoft Azure offers a range of services like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, intelligence, and more à la carte, so companies only pay for what they use.

Automation Domination

Many organizations are using automation to free IT workers from repetitive manual processes, which is crucial in today’s landscape as the IT field shifts from organizational support to leadership.

In 2020, Salesforce surveyed IT and engineering leaders, and 95 per cent said they were prioritizing automation. Considering over half of respondents reported cost reductions of up to 30 per cent, this shouldn’t come as any surprise.

The Microsoft Power Platform combines three apps into one cohesive triple-A loop. Using Power BI, users can reach insights from data and then deploy that data with PowerApps to build custom apps to encourage more intelligent processes, and finally automate these processes with Microsoft Flow.

Blockchain and Blocked Supply Chains

After a year when stimulus-fueled consumer demand strained the global flow of goods, logistics and supply chain management technology should see a healthy deal of activity in 2022. Logistics companies will likely be searching partnerships offering software and hardware solutions for supply chain problems. Blockchain will sure to be a big player.

Much of what you hear about blockchain in the media is about celebrities spending exorbitant amounts of money of NFTs and pictures of monkeys, but blockchain technology has far more impactful applications.

A blockchain is a digital ledger of transactions, duplicated and distributed across a decentralized network, making it difficult to hack. Blockchain can help supply chains by building a comprehensive, transparent, and robust end-to-end account of information, inventory, and financial flows in transactions. This can help facilitate efficient deliveries, track products more easily, streamline financials, and improve coordination among buyers, suppliers, and banks.

Contact us for all your workflow, business intelligence, and mobile development needs, or for innovative solutions to old supply chain issues at https://sheaglobal.com.

Adding EFT to Microsoft Dynamics GP Software

SHEA Global Limited — 06/08/2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many business processes. Not only has it resulted in changes to the supply chain and more people working from home, but it has also changed how we view face-to-face interaction.

Prior to the pandemic, we took in-person contacts like meetings and events for granted. However, as public health measures came into effect, some of these pre-established routines had to change.

Including payment methods.

For many businesses, financial processes took place manually, with cheques and invoices being sent in the mail, signed by the designated authorities, and manually updating systems and records.

With COVID-19, though, those processes have had to change, and many businesses have been turning online banking, such as Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT).

Even before COVID-19, automating the AR and AP processes offered benefits for a business, including:

Faster payments
Fewer bottlenecks
Reduction in errors from manual data entry
Increased security and internal controls
Cost-savings, particularly if you no longer need to purchase cheque stock or special ink
And more

With COVID-19, that list of benefits also expands to include:

Available anywhere at any time
No need for in-person cheque signing
Less risk by limiting contact with outside delivery personnel
And more

The benefits of EFT are numerous, but you may need to know the nuts-and-bolts of how to actually implement it into your ERP system — especially if you’re using Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Read on for the how-to!

Integrating EFT into Microsoft Dynamics GP

Step One: Formats and Regulations

The first thing to look at if you’re considering integrating EFT into GP is whether GP supports the formats of your financial institution.

There are a number of pre-defined file formats available in GP. If yours does not appear on the list, you may need further customized assistance.

At this stage, you will also want to make sure that you are aware of any regulations and restrictions about cross-border transactions. You can also verify what the costs will be — some financial institutions charge a fee for implementing EFT. However, you may also save costs on paper cheques, inks, and data entry, so the financials could balance out — but just something to be aware of.

Step Two: Data Collection

The second consideration is your data collection. You will have to enter all of your vendors’ banking information. Do not underestimate this part of the process as it can take more time than you realize.

You will also have to enter all this data into the system. With GP, there is no out-of-the-box input (unless you work with a partner — for instance, at SHEA we have created our own input that works with GP and EFT and can speed up this part of the process).

Step Three: Refine Your Processes

While EFT brings more convenience and benefits, it also brings change. Your current disbursement process is going to be different with EFT. This can bring more benefits — for instance, you might decide to automate your AP and AR processes even further.

It’s a good opportunity to look at your current processes and find even more efficiencies.

Has your business implemented EFT or changed other processes due to COVID-19? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

The simplest and fastest way to implement EFT — into Microsoft Dynamics GP or another software — is with a partner. At SHEA Global, we’ve helped many of our clients implement EFT and automate other areas of the financial process. Because we have the experience, we also have custom tools for data entry and know what pitfalls — and opportunities – to watch for.

Reach out to us today to get started.

How Can Supply Chains Build Resilience for the Future?

SHEA Global Limited — 06/05/2021

When the world around us pivots and changes, resilience is key to meeting adversity with opportunity.

All the changes we experienced in the past year are a testament to that statement.

In the business world, global supply chains felt every one of those changes to a great degree.

At the beginning of the pandemic, supply chains were strained when people started panic buying and emptying store shelves of essential products.

When people started staying home more, supply chains had to re-evaluate how to approach their operations to ensure people were getting what they needed.

Measuring Supply Chain Resilience

Last year, the Association for Supply Chain Management and The Economist Intelligence Unit partnered to create a benchmark that businesses can use to measure the health and resilience of their supply chain.

The two areas of the benchmark include:

Operational resilience – An organization’s ability to anticipate, withstand, and respond to supply chain shocks effectively. Operational resilience also measures the organization’s ability to return supply chain operations to normal.
Strategic supply chain resilience – How organizations prepare for long-term risk and structural changes that occur by adapting to new environments, building stronger partnerships, and adopting sustainable practices.

By focusing on these two key areas, supply chain organizations can gauge how well they are prepared for the unpredictable external shifts that occur in the business landscape and the world.

How Can Supply Chains Focus on Building Business Resilience?

Supply chains need to have a game plan.

Building business resilience includes not only how your organization operates and its internal capabilities. It also includes the external relationships your organization has.

Here are some key learnings that supply chain organizations can focus on when it comes to building business resilience:

Collaborate with suppliers – Having a strong network that can support your organization when changes occur, and even when things are “business as usual”, is important. Long-term success requires long-term relationships that can support your bottlenecks.
Increase visibility throughout the supply chain – Accessing data from your suppliers ensures you can correctly anticipate disruptions and quickly respond to disruptions.
Multisourcing – Having a multisourcing strategy means segmenting your suppliers. When disruptions occur, you can source to additional suppliers or locations as needed.
Inventory and capacity buffers – Buffers are especially useful in the form of surge capacity. This helps respond to sudden increases that occur.

How We Help

Demand-Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) is a tool that is especially helpful for organizations looking to improve business resilience in their supply chains.

By relying on actual demand throughout the supply chain instead of only forecasts, you can optimize inventory and be more collaborative.

You can use DDMRP to support all your supply chain needs to improve visibility, velocity, and variability – whether it be warehousing, data extraction, production, or something else.

Our innovative solution allows organizations to be ready to anticipate and respond to disruptions with confidence. Want to learn more about how DDMRP can help you? Contact us today!

Aerospace Manufacturers: Have You Begun Your Cloud Migration?

SHEA Global Limited — 23/06/2022

Boeing has recently announced that they will be migrating applications from their on-premises data centres to the AWS cloud. In a press release, Boeing explained that its cloud strategy removes infrastructure constraints, simplifies processes, creates easier and more secure access to information, and more.

For defence and aerospace manufacturers, moving to the cloud can reduce IT costs, accelerate innovation, and improve security. However, less than 40 per cent of aerospace and defence companies have mature cloud practices and tools in place, and barely half have a defined cloud strategy with KPIs to measure progress.

Considering over 90 per cent of aerospace and defence executives report the pace of innovation has accelerated in recent years due to emerging technologies, there ought to be more urgency within the industry to adopt leading technology like cloud computing.

Advantages of Cloud Computing

Defence and aerospace manufacturers can use cloud computing to implement machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, and advanced analytics, which can reduce complexity, boost innovation, reduce costs, and foster collaboration.

Cloud computing can also improve resilience, a quality whose value was demonstrated during the pandemic. Cloud-based, remote-collaboration technology like video conferencing and file sharing maintain production and other functions when large numbers of workers must shift to remote models.

Finally, cloud storage is secure because the servers are located in warehouses that most workers can’t access and the data itself is encrypted and shielded behind firewalls. And should a natural disaster impact these servers, most cloud providers practice extensive redundancy, backing up your data several times over across many different data centres.

Moreover, cloud suppliers regularly update security measures using AI tools and auto-patching. These built-in algorithms can process data at a scale human IT teams simply cannot. Cloud providers also hire third-party security companies to regularly test their firewalls and servers to ensure they’re safe from hackers, cybercriminals, and the latest malware and viruses.

Simply put, cloud computing is taking over data. By 2025, it is estimated that there will over 100 zettabytes of data stored in the cloud.

We Know Your Industry

SHEA can optimize your digital transformation and cloud migration strategy with our expertise in Microsoft Azure. We also offer integrated ERP that helps streamline business processes, generate accurate pricing, and calculate your total manufacturing costs. Our software solutions include:

Agile manufacturing
Version management
Capacity planning
Production bill of materials
Basic supply planning
Sales, inventory, and demand forecasting
Work and machine centres
And more

To learn more about our solutions for defence and aerospace manufacturers, contact one of our offices today or visit our website.

Upskilling Manufacturing Talent in an Evolving Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 27/05/2021

Any company can agree when we say that their employees are the backbone of their business success.

Without a group of talented and passionate workers who dedicate themselves to the company’s vision and mission, businesses would have a hard time serving their clients.

However, sometimes there are skill gaps that exist because of a lack of training.

Skill gaps can be harmful to a business’s productivity, increase labour costs, and overall make employees feel like they are falling behind.

Investing resources to ensure your employees have the tools and opportunities to upskill and improve themselves is important – especially in an evolving industry.

Why Is Upskilling Needed?

Technological change is enormous and fast-paced, creating a big skill gap in the historically tight labour market.

According to the Toronto Star, 80% of Canadian manufacturers surveyed in a new report state that they face an immediate labour and skills shortage.

Companies are becoming more reliant on technology. With a rise in digital transformation, companies are starting to focus on a combination of technology and labour to optimize productivity.

In addition, as the manufacturing industry evolves, smart factories and Industry 4.0 technologies will drastically change what manufacturing looks like in the coming years.

That’s why training and upskilling employees in the manufacturing industry is even more crucial to ensure employee and company success.

What Does Upskilling in the Manufacturing Industry Look Like?

In addition to government-supported job-training programs, manufacturers committed to spending $26.2 billion last year on internal and external training initiatives for new and existing employees to combat the shortage of workers.

Here are some considerations that could result in a successful upskilling strategy:

Utilize online communication – Collaboration platforms allow companies to encourage and promote upskilling among employees.
Be patient – Upskilling takes time. Employees need to leave behind familiar processes to learn new skills and tools.
Identify learning areas – Understanding where and how technology might change manufacturing processes, and where the skill gaps are, will allow for more effective upskilling programs.

How Can Manufacturers Prepare for Upskilling?

By anticipating change and listening to their employees.

Change is inevitable. Companies that can better predict changes will have upskilling programs in place to ensure that the workforce is always ready to tackle change.

Involving employee feedback throughout the upskilling process will ensure that programs target the critical areas that need development.

At SHEA Global, we want to help manufacturing businesses close the skill gap and develop a strategy that enables employees to leverage technology and be at their best on the factory floor. Reach out to learn how.

What Is Omnichannel/Clienteling?

SHEA Global Limited — 16/12/2021

Omnichannel retail is a multichannel approach to sales that aims to develop a seamless customer experience whether the client is shopping online on a laptop, on a mobile device, or in a brick-and-mortar store. In an omnichannel construct, there is integration between distribution, promotion, and communication channels in the backend. Omnichannel also allows customers to reach out with issues or concerns by phone, email, webchat, and social media. And so far, it has been found to be extremely good at attracting and keeping customers.

A study conducted in 2020 by Omnisend found that marketers using three or more channels in any one campaign earned a 287% higher purchase rate than those using a single-channel campaign. The same study found that customer retention rates were 90% higher for omnichannel versus single channel and that purchase frequency was 250% higher on omnichannel versus single channel.

Data collected by Think with Google in 2021 found that omnichannel strategies helped generate around 80% of in-store visits by customers with as much as 74% of customers doing online research before visiting a physical store.

With all this data, there’s no doubt that all retail stores should be considering omnichannel. So why aren’t they? What blocks are there to omnichannel implementation?

According to the CMO Club, 64% of marketers cite lack of resources and investment as their top barrier to omnichannel marketing. But the real question should be can firms afford not to implement omnichannel? If they want to stay competitive in an ever-changing world, they need to step up their game.

Luckily, SMART Retail is here to help. There are many different ways a transaction can flow through an organization (buy online pick-up in-store; buy in-store, return online; and so forth). SMART Retail ensures you have all the right information in the right places to manage all those events easily and seamlessly without error

Furthermore, SMART Retail’s ecosystem can track all the necessary and crucial data of a client’s purchasing journey with no segregation from different transactions. It essentially gives you a full 360-degree view of all processes.

SMART Retail considers fulfillment so you can make smart decisions on all kinds of challenges. For example, should you stock a retail shelf to have customers pick up from a location, or ship to online customers directly from a warehouse? SHEA keeps it all in one destination, improving customer expectations almost to perfection. It makes for no disconnect from online and auto-fulfillment.

SHEA’s SMART Retail helps you take your business from a single or multichannel to an omnichannel easily, quickly, and efficiently. SMART Retail also ensures the transition process is as optimized as can be. This is a business tool you can’t afford to ignore if you plan on having an online presence. To learn more about our many solutions ranging from the aerospace industry to high technology, visit us at https://sheaglobal.com.

Financial Technology: Hottest Trends

SHEA Global Limited — 12/05/2022

So much of the financial technology sector, or fintech, is about balancing convenience and security. Users want to take advantage of the latest fintech capabilities while remaining confident their data and finances are protected. Here are some of the latest fintech trends that are expanding the way we do business.

Blockchain

Also known as distributed ledger technology, many in the fintech sector see blockchain as a more reliable and transparent database. In theory, a blockchain allows someone to safely send money without an intermediary like a bank or financial services provider.

Put simply, a blockchain is a digital version of a traditional paper ledger, which records transactions with timestamps and annotations. By rigorously recording every transaction chronologically, a blockchain produces a robust digital log of the entire life cycle of money as it flows between hands. This can help reduce fraud and democratize money management.

The market size of blockchain use in financial services is projected to grow from approximately 2.5 billion USD in 2022 to over 22 billion USD in 2026.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

As businesses continue to digitalize their finances, they will need to prioritize agility to meet changing demands and regulations. PaaS technology, which offers customizable infrastructure allowing users to fully adopt cloud platforms, provides the foundation for a wide range of tasks such as team communication, resource management, payment processing, and credit risk management.

By using PaaS, users avoid the expense and complexity of buying and managing software, application infrastructure, and middleware. The user simply manages the applications and services while the provider manages just about everything else. Users can now spend less time coding, add development capabilities without extra staff, support geographically distributed teams over the internet, and more.

It's no surprise then that IDG estimates more than 60 per cent of companies are using PaaS.

Adaptive Machine-Learning

Artificial intelligence and machine learning can help lower loan default risk, inform risk management, discover operational efficiencies via data analytics, and improve client experiences. As such, over 40 per cent of businesses intend to use AI to acquire and onboard new customers, according to one source.

Using AI to detect fraud is one example of where businesses are seeing high ROI. A recent study revealed customers and businesses lost a total of $56 billion in 2020 to fraud. By quickly analyzing large datasets, AI can detect suspicious activity before the fraud even happens, blocking a flagged user’s request or accessing their account.

We Have the Tools

With SHEA, your financial systems will align firmly with your strategic business direction. We have expertise in financial software like Dynamics 365 and cloud computing services like Azure. Whatever your financial technology needs, we will work with you to realize the maximum value of your investment.

Visit our website today to learn more about leveraging our services.

Rising Future of Zero-Emission Vehicles

SHEA Global Limited — 16/09/2021

In the third quarter of 2020, 3.5% of total new vehicles registered in Canada were zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).

That’s more than twice the number of ZEVs compared to the previous quarter of 9,069 ZEVs sold.

With the rise of Tesla and other electric vehicle models, such as the Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq, we’re starting to see more ZEVs on the road.

Recently, the Canadian government announced a new plan to ban the purchase of fuel-burning new cars and light-duty trucks starting 2035 onwards to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The goal, as Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says, is “aligning Canada’s zero-emission vehicles sales target with those of the most ambitious North American jurisdictions.”

With a goal this ambitious, there are no doubt some challenges that the auto industry must face moving forward.

One of the biggest of these challenges is cost. Electric vehicles are expensive to manufacture.

The cost of producing an electric vehicle is significantly more than a gas-fueled car mainly because of the expensive materials and processes used in the production of its batteries.

That’s why it’s important to implement careful warehouse and inventory processes to reduce manufacturing and supply chain costs whenever possible.

In addition, the consistent increase in demand for electric vehicles is troubled by the challenges of battery supply, the collapse of oil prices, environmental concerns, and more.

These factors further strain the supply chain of electric vehicles struggling to meet not only consumer demand but also government mandates.

The main concern right now is securing supply and ensuring that the manufacturing and supply chain process is efficient.

For example, adopting thorough tracking and transparency throughout the production and distribution process can help manufacturers track data from many suppliers and routes.

It allows manufacturers to clearly identify how many components are in production, exact demand, costs of warehouse and distribution, and more.

With this information, auto companies can make better decisions about improving their supply chain processes and managing the supply of their components, such as batteries.

At SHEA Global, we offer manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution solutions that can help you rise to the challenge of ZEVs.

Not only can you track multiple inventory and demand options for more accurate supply, but you can also track vehicles in distribution and pricing.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!

Upskilling Manufacturing Talent in an Evolving Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 27/05/2021

Any company can agree when we say that their employees are the backbone of their business success.

Without a group of talented and passionate workers who dedicate themselves to the company’s vision and mission, businesses would have a hard time serving their clients.

However, sometimes there are skill gaps that exist because of a lack of training.

Skill gaps can be harmful to a business’s productivity, increase labour costs, and overall make employees feel like they are falling behind.

Investing resources to ensure your employees have the tools and opportunities to upskill and improve themselves is important – especially in an evolving industry.

Why Is Upskilling Needed?

Technological change is enormous and fast-paced, creating a big skill gap in the historically tight labour market.

According to the Toronto Star, 80% of Canadian manufacturers surveyed in a new report state that they face an immediate labour and skills shortage.

Companies are becoming more reliant on technology. With a rise in digital transformation, companies are starting to focus on a combination of technology and labour to optimize productivity.

In addition, as the manufacturing industry evolves, smart factories and Industry 4.0 technologies will drastically change what manufacturing looks like in the coming years.

That’s why training and upskilling employees in the manufacturing industry is even more crucial to ensure employee and company success.

What Does Upskilling in the Manufacturing Industry Look Like?

Here are some considerations that could result in a successful upskilling strategy:

Utilize online communication – Collaboration platforms allow companies to encourage and promote upskilling among employees.
Be patient – Upskilling takes time. Employees need to leave behind familiar processes to learn new skills and tools.
Identify learning areas – Understanding where and how technology might change manufacturing processes, and where the skill gaps are, will allow for more effective upskilling programs.

How Can Manufacturers Prepare for Upskilling?

By anticipating change and listening to their employees.

Change is inevitable. Companies that can better predict changes will have upskilling programs in place to ensure that the workforce is always ready to tackle change.

Involving employee feedback throughout the upskilling process will ensure that programs target the critical areas that need development.

Southern Ontario Manufacturers, Ensure Success with Your Digital Transformation

SHEA Global Limited — 18/06/2020

By Kevin Hollis

Digital transformation is a critical part of doing business better, and we have seen that especially so in these past few months.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses and manufacturers have had to adapt operations quickly. Those who were best prepared were the ones who already had the technology to do so.

We know the benefits of technology adoption, including:

The potential for lower operating costs through finding efficiencies
Increased product quality through fewer data errors and more quality control
Increased capacity through streamlining operations
Higher capacity for innovation, like 3D printing and rapid prototyping
Improved customer experience as questions can be answered quickly and orders tracked
More scale and flexibility to adapt to whatever market conditions come your way

Yet not all SMEs have invested in technology – or they have may have invested into some upgrades, but not enough to truly get started on the digital transformation journey. According to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), 40% of manufacturers identify uncertain return on investment as the main reason why they are not investing in new technology.

You know the benefits, yes, but you may not necessarily know how your business can get those benefits – especially without making a substantial investment.

The struggle is clear – digital transformation is the key to the manufacturing of the future, but how can you ensure that the technology you’re choosing will actually get you there?

Performing a Strategic Technology Assessment

A technology assessment provides SMEs with strategic insights into where to invest most effectively.

As CME notes, strategic investment in innovation and technology adoption is the starting point of a virtuous cycle. This cycle leads to more output, employment, economic growth, improvements in business productivity, increased competitive edge, higher outputs and exports, and so much more.

The key word there is “strategic.”

The most effective digital transformation investments don’t just start in any place — they start in the right place. True, actionable change doesn’t come from random choice or random investment — it comes from a targeted, specific choice.

What is that choice for your SME?

You don’t have to answer that on your own. The CME Technology Assessment Program connects SME’s manufacturers in southern Ontario with qualified experts to get customized technology assessments. It’s offering up to $25,000 in reimbursable funds.

Through this Program, qualified assessors will work on-site with companies to create a customized plan. They will review how manufacturers can best improve productivity, capitalize on existing assets, and implement the latest advanced manufacturing technologies, including hardware, software, and cloud computing.

This Program takes the headache out of digital transformation and technology adoption. You’ll gain confidence in the direction you are going and have a clear blueprint to follow to make your business better while getting a return on investment.

Taking a Whole-Business View of Technology Bottlenecks

SHEA is one of the qualified assessors. Our approach is to start with the problem. We will take a whole-picture view of your business and assess what current processes, operations, and technologies are getting in the way of operational excellence.

We will then recommend the solution (or solutions) that meet your needs and challenges.

In some cases, we may not even recommend a new technology investment — it could simply be a matter of process improvement or leveraging your current systems.

The point is that we will help you make this decision and figure out the best way forward for your business.

If you’ve been affected by COVID-19 in any way — whether business is up or has stagnated — this is a great opportunity to undertake this assessment.

If your business is up, this can help you find efficiencies to maintain the higher level of business and scale efficiently in the future.
If your business is down, this is a chance to take a step back and assess what has been working and what could be improved. Some digital transformations require disruptions, so this may be a good time to undertake the disruption and set yourself up for future success.

The best part is that this technology assessment is covered up to $25,000 in reimbursable funds for eligible southern Ontario manufacturers through the CME Technology Assessment Program grant.

We’re hosting a live webinar on June 24 at 2 p.m. EST with Mentor Works all about the CME Technology Assessment Program grant.

We’ll cover:

Who is eligible
What projects are eligible
Eligible expenses
Additional funding that is available
And more…

See further details and register for free here.

Not a southern Ontario manufacturer, but interested in a technology assessment from SHEA? Reach out to us today.

What’s New with SHEA Global

SHEA Global Limited — 11/06/2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for businesses (and different challenges for different businesses), but whether you are struggling with too little demand or an increase in demand, SHEA Global is here for you.

We are continuously developing new resources and support for businesses across the board to help not only weather the storm, but also find potential process improvements during it.

This time has undeniably been uncertain and come with its difficulties, however, there may also be opportunities. We want to empower you to find those opportunities where they exist and build a better business that can support your team into the future.

Read on for what is currently available on-demand and what is coming up in the weeks ahead.

Live Webinars

a) Make Your Engineering Team Part of Dynamics 365

WHEN: June 16, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. (EST)

Bring Engineering onboard your Dynamics 365 and make your product data available to everyone from one single solution.

In this webinar from SHEA Global and Bluestar PLM by PDM technology, you will see a live demonstration of a PLM and ERP sharing product-related information seamlessly across departments, and all happening in Dynamics 365.

See details and register.

b) Funding for Southern Ontario Manufacturers

WHEN: June 24, 2020 at 2 p.m. (EST)

Learn how you can qualify and benefit from funding up to $25,000 with CME’s Technology Assessment Program.

This funding allows Southern Ontario manufacturers to uncover bottlenecks, including identifying digital investments to improve productivity, automating complex processes, optimizing your supply chain, and increasing efficiencies in your production processes.

Join SHEA Global and Mentor Works to learn more.

See details and register.

Quiz the Wiz

Quiz our Wiz Panel — daily!

We have assembled a panel of experts, otherwise known as the Wiz Panel, to answer your questions for free! You can ask them anything and they will attempt to answer in the most informative (and entertaining) way possible.

We've got a Wiz expert for everything: SYSPRO, GP, AX, NAV, F&O... the list of software acronyms are endless and so is the free expert advice.

No question is off the table. Submit the question here and we will answer on our YouTube channel.

On-Demand Video Content

Speaking of YouTube, if you’ve missed one of our live webinars or Quiz the Wiz sessions in recent months, you can access it on-demand on our channel.

Videos include:

a) Stop Managing Supply Chain Chaos

Your boss hands you a list of high-dollar parts to reduce inventory levels. You notice that most parts on the list are the ones that you need to expedite. What do you do?

Finance has declared that you should cut inventory by 10% across the board. For the parts you need urgently, is cutting back going to help?

Supply chain planning can seem like an ongoing game of Whac-A-Mole, but it doesn’t have to be. This video shows how to cut through the chaos and learn the four innovations that lead to more efficiency and less stress.

b) The Missing Link in Supply Chain Planning

Discover DDMRP – demand-driven material requirements planning – and how it could be the missing link in your supply chain planning.

Supply chain professionals now have myriad tools at their disposal to plan and manage inventories and manufacturing. ERP, MRP, Lean, demand forecasting, Six Sigma… the list goes on and the landscape is overwhelming.

This video looks at common problems with the traditional planning process and how to instead dynamically size and adapt supply networks and production systems through sensing changes in demand patterns and the responsiveness of supply.

c) Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Tips and Tricks

This video series takes a deep dive into Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, including:

New grid controls
Warehouse app purchase order receipts
Restricted products
Warehouse goods outward flow

Learn the tips and tricks to help your team leverage Dynamics 365. Access the videos here.

More Resources

We have even more resources on the SHEA Global blog. Recent posts include:

You can also reach out to us for more business help. Whether you need to implement EFT into your ERP, have questions about facilitating remote work, or want to use this time to progress your digital transformation, we are here for you.

Reach out today to find your solution.

How is your business coping with the COVID-19 pandemic? What challenges and opportunities are you facing? Share with us on social media. SHEA is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

How to Ensure That You Meet Performance Expectations Every Time!

SHEA Global Limited — 04/11/2021

One key question in the auto industry is how you can meet performance expectations on time and on schedule when you have very long and connected supply chains. Complicating matters is the fact that carmakers have very high delivery performance expectations from parts suppliers because of how lean the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) production lines operate.

In the worst-case scenario, missing delivery of a part can result in shutting down the OEM production line and pushing back the delivery schedule of all the other suppliers. This is clearly something no carmaker wants happening, so how do we avoid such circumstances when vendor and customer portals connect in real-time, speeding information to the supply chain?

There are five key steps you can take to avoid such dire circumstances:

Use more new and integrated tech rather than human input

The latest, most innovative tech that SHEA provides allows for more efficient, streamlined operations and minimizes human errors. It allows carmakers to keep track of shipments from the time they arrive to when they leave to when they reach the dealer. By reducing the amount of human interaction involved in the supply chain and logistics, this tech optimizes procedures ensuring better outcomes and delivery on time and on budget.

Prepare your team adequately

Although you want to reduce human input you can’t get rid of the human element altogether. You still need people for certain parts of the supply chain. You can, however, reduce errors by adequately preparing your team. Your team should be encouraged to keep up and be up to date on all new tech and supply chain logistics trends. That way they are better equipped to handle any problems that may arise and ensure that things run smoothly.

Develop a plan

A clearly crafted and well-organized plan can help you deal with everything from bottlenecks and disruptions to natural disasters and economic changes. You can’t foresee everything, but you can be prepared for several worst-case scenarios. It’s important that you have a plan in place to respond to circumstances beyond your control. That way nothing can catch you off guard.

Implement smart processes and systems

It’s no secret that lean production saves time and money by getting rid of potential excesses and unneeded processes. If you focus on streamlining the labour and materials used while increasing production, you will be way ahead of the game and the competition. SHEA has all the tools you need to help implement the smartest, most streamlined processes and systems that optimize production.

Use SHEA’s SMART Auto

SMART Auto lets you connect with customer portals in real-time while speeding up information to the supply chain. Take advantage of this feature to further optimize your production and guarantee you meet performance expectations.

There you have it. These are five easy steps to follow that will make your supply chain management efficient and effective, allowing you to meet performance expectations every time on time, and better yet on budget. To learn more about our many solutions ranging from the aerospace industry to high technology, visit us at https://sheaglobal.com/

Does Telehealth Represent the Future of Healthcare?

SHEA Global Limited — 15/07/2021

You can host virtual business meetings, conferences, and social gatherings. So why not have doctor appointments be virtual as well?

If the last year has taught us anything about being virtual, it’s that anything is possible.

Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a cascade of changes in healthcare.

To protect the health and safety of both patients and caregivers, clinics and hospitals leveraged technology to deliver care outside of the doctor’s office.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was an increase of 154% in telehealth visits during the last week of March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

Healio News reports telehealth visits accounted for 30% of total outpatient visits early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is Propelling the Growth in Telehealth?

Investments in the development of artificial intelligence capabilities contribute largely to the growth in telehealth over the last few years.

Connectivity in medical devices and accessories allow healthcare providers to gain real-time data from patients to better monitor the status of their health and provide timely care.

It also allows healthcare providers to improve clinical trials and drug discoveries, streamline administrative processes, gain better understanding of their patients, and help with complex illness diagnosis.

What Are the Challenges that Remain?

As with anything that leverages technology, especially complex technology for complex tasks, cybersecurity is a huge concern.

With telehealth, sensitive information from patients becomes shared over electronic databases.

For example, the COVID-19 tracking app that was created last year relied on location and information tracking to gain knowledge of where potential spreads were.

If these devices aren’t heavily protected with security protocols, hackers can easily gain access to private information.

The rise of telehealth has also led to more cyber attacks.

According to the Security Scorecard, telehealth providers reported a 30% increase in cybersecurity findings per healthcare domain last year.

Payment processing also poses a huge cybersecurity risk.

With telehealth, payments for services need to be processed virtually as well.

This presents a risk for cyber attacks and hackers accessing confidential information such as bank card numbers, addresses, and personal identification information.

How Can Healthcare Providers Reduce Risks?

Implementing many layers of security protocols is a great way to reduce risks associated with cybersecurity.

A cloud computing system can provide the many layers needed to make sure patient information is as secure as possible.

Cloud computing provides end-to-end data encryption technology to protect the data that patients provide healthcare providers and the data that healthcare providers use during their clinical trials and drug discoveries.

At SHEA Global, we can assess the security of your telehealth process and provide solutions to help you treat patients more securely. Reach out today and learn how we can help you.

Upgrading Microsoft Dynamics GP: Necessary or Not?

SHEA Global Limited — 20/08/2020

If you’ve been a long-time Microsoft Dynamics GP user, you may love the software, but we’re betting there is something that you don’t love as much — upgrades.

Software upgrades, especially manual ones like GP uses, have been called many names, including “a necessary evil,” “pain in the rear end,” and others that we won’t repeat here due to this being a family-friendly space. ?

We want to address these notions. Yes, GP upgrades can feel burdensome, but at the same time, they provide important security and functional updates.

The key is knowing whether your business truly needs to upgrade — or if you can hold off for another year.

Here are some common scenarios that might warrant an upgrade:

a) Your support date is ending

Let’s get the elephant in the room (er, blog?) out of the way: support end dates.

This is the reason that most GP users upgrade and it’s unavoidable!

Unsupported software leaves you open to security risks, software bugs, and legal and compliance issues. Not to mention that new upgrades often add functional capabilities, which you could be leaving on the table if you don’t upgrade.

There comes a time when every past version of GP becomes unsupported – so you need to pay attention to when that is for your program and plan accordingly in advance.

Microsoft Dynamics GP Support End Dates

For GP, there are several support end dates to mark on your calendar:

Dynamics GP 2010
- Mainstream Support End Date: Ended
- Extended Support End Date: October 13, 2020
Dynamics GP 2013 R2
- Mainstream Support End Date: Ended
- Extended Support End Date: April 11, 2023
Dynamics GP 2015
- Mainstream Support End Date: April 14, 2020
- Extended Support End Date: April 8, 2025
Dynamics GP 2016
- Mainstream Support End Date: July 13, 2021
- Extended Support End Date: July 14, 2026
Dynamics GP 2018
- Mainstream Support End Date: January 10, 2023
- Extended Support End Date: January 11, 2028

Dynamics GP 2016 and 2018 isn’t ending tomorrow, but the mainstream support end for 2016 is only a year away. The sooner you start preparing for this, the better. More time will give you more opportunities to look at business-critical decisions, such as whether you want to upgrade or move on, and truly identify any problems that need solutions.

Even if you choose to stay with your current version past the support end date, you need to work with a software partner who can continue to support you as best as possible to avoid the challenges outlined previously.

b) You have a new business process

A new business process — whether its been formed internally or is available in a newer GP version — is another popular reason to upgrade.

GP upgrades include new features and functionality. For example, the latest version includes a longer Description field in Payables, a document attached in Bank Reconciliation, and new workflows for mapping and automating approvals for G/L accounts and purchase invoices.

In some cases, changing a business process can transform your whole operation. If an approval bottleneck is holding up a key part of your business, automating the workflow can pay dividends.

Rather than switching to new software, the answer could lie in leveraging an update, which is a much simpler (and cost-effective) solution.

c) You want or need new technology

GP upgrades are only released every two or so years. As they are coming less frequently, it means that more is being included in the newer versions — and you need to take a much harder look at what is being added.

For instance, you may be able to host Microsoft Dynamics GP in a cloud environment, depending on the version.

GP 2018 also has increased capabilities for supply chain management (such as Advanced Picking and an automated PO generator), field service management (such as contract administration and depot management), human resource management (such as automated payroll processing and a PTO manager), and more.

Skipping the latest version doesn’t just mean waiting a year for the next one. It means waiting at least two years. And in that time, processes and technology can move quickly.

And if you’re still using an older version – such as GP 2013 or 2015 – upgrading to a new one can come with a lot more functionality that can save you time and money.

Making the Decision to Upgrade

Upgrades can seem to be a necessary evil, but there are times when they really add more value to both your software and your business. However, you need to know when that is the case for you.

Don’t skip an upgrade just because you think it’s not necessary. Instead, look for a partner that you can trust who will help you make that decision.

At SHEA, for instance, we won’t tell you to upgrade GP (or any other software) just because. We’ll honestly assess your business and look out for your long-term needs. That may mean recommending an upgrade, or it may mean simply refining an internal process.

We are experts in GP and the Microsoft product suite — we’ve worked with GP even before it was part of the Microsoft family, since 1994. We know why you love it and we love it, too — and we also know how you can get the most out of it. Some of our clients have been using GP in their businesses for more than 20 years, and we’ve guided them along the way.

Want to chat more? We’re here to assess your GP needs and beyond. Reach out to us today.

What is your GP upgrade philosophy – necessary or not? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

CRM Tools: Build Better Customer Relationships

SHEA Global Limited — 27/07/2022

Customer relationship management (CRM) tools enable businesses to connect with their clients more effectively in a digital age. In one survey, nearly 75 per cent of companies said CRM tools gave better access to customer data. CRM tools can increase sales by almost 30 per cent while improving sales forecasting by more than 30 per cent and sales productivity by nearly 40 per cent.

Would you like to enjoy similar results? Our CRM solution can help you manage every aspect of the customer journey in a unified, collaborative, and intuitive interface. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales, users can:

Keep track of accounts and contacts
Nurture sales from lead to order
Create sales collateral
Create marketing lists and campaigns
And more

By unifying relationship data and processes with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Dynamics 365 for Sales provides users with contextual, embedded insights like when and how customers engage with emails as well as buyer sentiment and potential competitive threats. Your salespeople will always know the right strategic step to progress each customer relationship.

Dynamics 365 for Sales is user-friendly because it works seamlessly with familiar tools like Excel and Outlook, minimizing onboarding and maximizing productivity. Mobile applications provide contextual news, social data, and task flows, so users can take advantage of best-in-class CRM tools on the go.

No-code visual editors and tools make it easy to build web and mobile applications that suit your business’s specific needs. Processes can be automated, and dashboards provide real-time data. And Microsoft’s cloud computing keeps costs low while optimizing digital infrastructure.

If you would like to learn more about how our CRM tools can help you build stronger customer relationships and close sales faster, contact one of our offices today or visit our website.

Feature Management and Three Useful New Features in Microsoft Dynamics 365

SHEA Global Limited — 10/09/2020

Tips and Tricks for Dynamics 365: Feature Management

Microsoft has a regular release cadence for Dynamics 365, with software updates released almost every month. With each new release, new features are added to Dynamics 365. One such new feature has to do with how to manage the other features in D365 — the Feature Management workspace.

Caption: The Feature Management workspace in Microsoft Dynamics 365

Tips for Managing Features

While it is possible to enable all of the new features automatically, using the dropdown menu toward the top of the feature management workspace, we wouldn’t recommend this. Features can change the way your Dynamics 365 system behaves for your end-users. Some can also turn on regional functionality, which might not be relevant for your region.

As can be observed in the screen image above, each feature contains a brief description of what the changes comprise of, with a link to a Microsoft Knowledge Base article explaining in more detail how the feature works.

Many of the features work independently but some have linked dependencies where a dependent feature must first be enabled. Additionally, some features cannot be turned off when enabled. This is another why we recommend that feature activation be a conscious decision.

Three New Features in Microsoft Dynamics 365

Three recent features significantly improve the performance and usability of the grid controls.

These three areas are:

a) New Grid Control

b) Grouping in Grids

c) Saved Views

Let’s explore each one.

1. New Grid Control

The new Grid Control feature replaces the existing grid control with a new control that has faster rendering, smoother scrolling, and less jumping when navigating in the grid.

The new grid also allows drag-and-drop column reordering, entry of mathematical expressions in numeric cells, and the ability to calculate totals at the bottom of numeric columns.

The screenshot below illustrates an example within the customer aged balances screen, which by default does not contain any column totals. By right-clicking on the column concerned, a new option of “Total this column” option is available, with the example below showing a total amount due.

2. Grouping in Grids

The grouping in grids functionality is accessed in a similar way by right-clicking the column to group by, then selecting “Group by this column.” The example below shows the customer form being grouped by the customer groups.

3. Saved Views

The final new feature is the concept of “Saved Views.” The saved view is essentially a saved filter.

Taking the sales order entry screen as an example, when opening this form the default is to display all sales orders. Yet, it would be useful to only see outstanding “Open” sales orders or perhaps sales orders that have been dispatched but not yet invoiced.

The first step is to utilize the usual filtering functionality by clicking on the required filter column header and then entering the criteria. In the example, below the status set as “is exactly” > Delivered. This will produce the initial filtered list.

To save this as a standard view, click the “My View” dropdown menu, then select “Save As.”

The “Save As” dialogue will be displayed where you can enter a name and a description for your view. In the example below, we have named our saved view as “Delivered. Not Invoiced.”

To make this view the default, toggle the "Pin as default view" switch, as shown below.

The next time the sales order form is opened, your new view will be automatically displayed with the appropriate records returned within the grid below.

In the event that you wish to return to the standard view, simply click your view and select “Standard View” from the listing.

That’s all for today, folks!

Have questions about the features within Microsoft Dynamics 365 or other applications? Put them to our LIVE Wiz Panel — for free! Every other Tuesday, we’re hosting a Quiz the Wiz web series where you can get free expert answers to all of your business questions. See the next session and register.

SHEA Global’s business consultants are experienced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation, training, and more. Reach out to us to leverage your software for the entire company using new and existing features.

Looking Ahead: Business Intelligence Trends for 2021

SHEA Global Limited — 12/11/2020

2020 is drawing to a close – a year that challenged us, made us take a critical look at our processes, and showed us that we are more resilient than we thought we were.

While everything seemed uncertain – technology is where businesses found certainty.

As we prepare to welcome the new year, we take a look at the key business intelligence trends that will dominate in the coming year and share our predictions.

AI Operationalization

There is a shift happening when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) – companies are now moving from piloting to operationalizing artificial intelligence. In fact, research from Gartner shows that by the end of 2024, 75% of organizations would have made this switch!

AI is no longer just an emerging technology that is being tested out. Today, it is transforming business processes, optimizing manufacturing activities, and helping decode information to facilitate business growth.

In the past few months, the impact of AI has been felt quite strongly in sectors such as healthcare. The technology has been a valuable tool that has helped researchers and those in the healthcare industry interpret and make sense of the COVID-19 data pouring in from different sources.

For instance, researchers at the University of Toronto, leveraged AI and machine learning to identify existing drugs that could be effective against COVID-19. As the volume of data increases, machine learning algorithms will become better equipped to help us deal with this healthcare crisis.

eCommerce Growth

Another sector that is experiencing unprecedented growth is eCommerce.

According to Statistics Canada, retail e-commerce sales nearly doubled from February to May 2020 – witnessing an increase of +99.3%.

As consumer spending rises online, so does the competition in this space.

The real challenge for businesses is to understand changing consumer behaviours. This is why it is essential to equip yourself with tools that can help you analyze these behavioural shifts, get real-time insights, and make data-backed decisions.

Remote Work

Remote Work is increasing and with COVID-19 still being in the picture in 2021, it should be a key area of focus for your business.

Research from Statistics Canada shows that 4 in 10 Canadian workers are in jobs that can be done from home. This percentage is even higher in fields such as finance and insurance (85%) and professional, scientific and technical services (84%).

While remote work seems like a great opportunity as it helps keeps employees safe, reduces requirements to have large office set-ups, and promotes work-life balance – it does come with its own set of challenges. Privacy and security being the top two.

Processes and protocols have to be put into place in areas of security, privacy and identity management, to ensure that your data is kept safe and you’re meeting compliance requirements.

Supply Chain Innovations

There are three key challenges associated with supply chains in a Post-COVID-19 world – visibility, velocity, and variability.

By embracing Demand-Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP), companies can become better equipped to deal with the challenges created by COVID-19 related supply chain disruptions. As the name suggests, DDMRP relies on demand, not just forecasts, hence, it helps you create a more flexible supply chain.

Industry 4.0 Adoption

Industry 4.0 technologies are another key area of focus for manufacturers. As these technologies enable agility and automation, they can help companies deal with changing economic situations.

Companies are beginning to realize that Industry 4.0 isn’t as complicated and is completely customizable. As it is a combination of technologies, you can always choose the things you feel are most impactful for your business.

While uncertainty will most likely be there in 2021, leveraging technology solutions can help you optimize your workflows, mitigate risks, and achieve end-to-end transformation. To see how we can help you navigate trends in 2021 and beyond, reach out to us today for a consultation.

What global business trends do you think we’ll see in 2021? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Right for You?

SHEA Global Limited — 27/01/2020

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central launched in 2018. Now, less than two years later, many businesses that have adopted it have seen impressive results.

Take Polytropic, a small heated swimming pool manufacturer in France. When Polytropic hit a growth rate of 25%, they realized they needed a new solution that delivered real-time information across all parts of their business. That’s exactly what they got with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

If you’re wondering if Business Central is right for your business, here’s what you need to know.

What is Business Central?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system from Microsoft, that is part of the Microsoft Dynamics family. While it’s an ERP, it is also a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, providing an adaptive, multi-functioning platform.

Business Central launched in April of 2018. The software can be used in the cloud, on-premise, or a combination of both, making it a flexible option for businesses to access anywhere at any time.

Benefits of Business Central

As the successor to both Microsoft NAV and Dynamics GP, Business Central comes with a wide range of benefits for small-to-medium sized businesses, with flexible integrations for multiple departments within an organization. These include:

Financial visibility at a glance

Business Central creates a single source of truth for real-time, connected data across departments. Users can see data reports and analysis through built-in dashboards.

This also contributes to accelerated financial close and reporting, while maintaining compliance.

Seamless integration with other Microsoft applications

Part of the power of Business Central is its ability to connect with other Microsoft product suites. For instance, it comes with built-in Microsoft Power BI dashboards. It also integrates with Office 365, such as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft Outlook.

This contributes to further potential opportunities — for example, if a quote request is emailed, the sales representative could generate a price using Business Central within Outlook.

Optimize the supply chain

Business Central also offers opportunities to optimize within the supply chain, such as predictive stock replenishment and auto-creation of purchase orders while tracking item locations throughout movements.

ERP meets sales and customer service support

Beyond finances and the supply chain, Business Central is also built for improving the customer experience. Since it shares CRM functions, the customer relationship management aspects help track customer interactions and view opportunities for upselling, cross-selling, renewal, and more.

Business Central also enables sales members to manage service requests, process payments, respond to inquiries, and more using Outlook.

Manage projects on time and on budget

Workflows also benefit from Business Central. Teams can create, manage, and track projects through the use of timesheets, advanced job costing, and reporting capabilities. Real-time insights allow project managers to ensure profitability while meeting deadlines.

Data security and compliance

Business Central also comes with enhanced privacy capabilities, such as allowing users to set up data classifications. Businesses can also implement audit trails and transmit data securely using automatic Microsoft datacenter encryption.

Who is Business Central For?

Business Central is a popular choice for small-to-medium sized businesses. Its integrated functionality works across departments and business sizes, including:

Financial managers
Supply chain managers
Customer relationship managers
HR managers
Project and resource managers
Warehouse managers
Service order managers
Manufacturing
The list goes on…

Why Should You Consider Business Central for Your Business?

You might consider Business Central if:

You’re an SMB that has outgrown their accounting software
Your departments have been siloed with different software for different uses – and you want to find better team collaboration and system consistency
You use other Microsoft products for your business and are looking for a system that integrates with your existing software
You’re relying on inefficient, old-fashioned methods – like pricing quotes manually
You can’t keep up with demand (the phrase “not enough hours in the day” comes up frequently)
It’s time to upgrade multiple software systems – such as both your ERP and CRM
You don’t have a single source of truth for your data
You need better data security and compliance
You want more mobility with your applications — such as the option to go between the cloud and on-premise
You are looking for a system that is highly customizable and flexible to your needs

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers many opportunities. If you’re in the market for a new ERP, CRM, or looking to enhance your digital transformation journey, it should be on your list for consideration.

The best way to decide if Business Central is right for your business is to work with an experienced software consultant. At SHEA Global, our ERP experts have a proven track record of identifying business problems and finding the perfect solution.

Reach out to us today to see if Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is right for you.

Find and Solve Production Bottlenecks with the CME Technology Assessment Program (TAP) Grant

SHEA Global Limited — 08/06/2020

By Mentor Works

One of the keys to staying competitive as a Canadian manufacturer is continuous improvement, including investments in technology and innovation. However, many manufacturers have difficulty determining the most impactful technology investments and third-party consultants are required to find and solve bottlenecks.

Fortunately, the CME Technology Assessment Program grant was created to subsidize the costs of third-party technology assessment specialists. Southern Ontario manufacturers can access this grant to receive specialized assessments of opportunities to improve their systems, processes, and equipment by adopting new technologies.

Eligible manufacturers can receive subsidies covering up to 100% to a maximum of $25,000 of eligible consulting assessment costs.

The results of proper technology assessments and the resulting technology adoption can lead to lower operating expenses, improved customer satisfaction, heightened innovation capacity, and elevated quality assurance.

CME Technology Assessment Program Overview

The CME Technology Assessment Program enables manufacturers to determine the technologies that best suit their unique challenges with the most attractive return on investment (ROI).

Applicants can work with a Qualified Service Provider (QSP), like SHEA Global, that will conduct the assessment on-site at the production facility and create a custom action plan to enhance efficiencies through a combination of optimized existing assets and new technology adoption, including hardware, software, and cloud computing.

Once finished, the QSP will help the manufacturer make informed decisions on what assets to purchase, optimize, and/or retire, as well as required training of the production team.

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible for the CME TAP program, eligible applicants:

Must be a manufacturer based in southern Ontario per the census map;
Must have between 16-499 full-time employees in southern Ontario;
Must demonstrate financial stability;
Must be an incorporated business (federally or provincially) for two years or more continuously; and
Are not required to be a member of CME to be eligible.

Eligible Projects

Assessments must be completed by Qualified Service Providers (QSP), pre-approved by CME. Experts who are not already credited as a QSP can apply to be a certified QSP. If there is a current partnership with an expert who is not CME-approved, they can apply to be added to the list of QSPs. Experts that are on the applicant’s payroll are ineligible.

Assessments can focus on areas such as:

Waste reduction;
Productivity;
Process flow;
Energy efficiency (production level);
Quality (for example, ISO Certification);
Environmental impact (various green certifications); and
Information and management systems.

Any assessments that have been previously completed by the applicant are not eligible.

Eligible Expenses

Entertainment and meals are not eligible costs; and
Consulting fees (including travel) are eligible.

Learn More in Our Upcoming Live Webinar

On June 24 at 2 p.m. EST, join SHEA Global and Mentor Works to go over the CME Technology Assessment Program in detail. We will cover:

How you could achieve goals through technology adoption and by building a strategic plan
How to qualify for government funding to support professional technology assessments, purchases, and training
What additional funding is available that can be leveraged to subsidize the cost of digital investments
And answer any questions that you have about the program.

See details about the live webinar and register here.

Keep up-to-date on all funding updates in the Mentor Works newsletter.

About Mentor Works

Mentor Works is a business support organization specializing in Canadian government funding. The Ontario-based business has helped hundreds of businesses build and execute their funding strategy through a mix of federal and provincial government grants, loans, and tax credits. Mentor Works offers free online resources, funding webinars, and news via their website at www.mentorworks.ca.

Mentor Works Ltd.
28 Bett Court, Unit B
Guelph ON, N1C 0A5
888-599-3111
contact@mentorworks.ca
www.mentorworks.ca

About SHEA Global

SHEA Global believes that all organizations have the potential to achieve excellence. Our passion is to guide our customers to business excellence. We are your strategic partners in end-to-end business transformations and ongoing optimization.

At SHEA Global, we challenge our customers to look beyond the status quo imagine what Business Better is like for them. SHEA Global supports organizations in 20 countries from offices in Canada, US, UK, India, and the Philippines.

Learn more at www.sheaglobal.com.

From Physical to Digital: Solving the Shift to Click Challenge

SHEA Global Limited — 17/12/2020

This holiday season will fall during a second wave of COVID-19 for much of the world and retailers will have to continue to endure the challenges this global pandemic has brought. Some stores are closing due to government restrictions and others will be mandated to reduce hours or capacity limits, steering consumers more and more to online channels for their holiday shopping.

There has been a shift toward eCommerce that no business could have predicted. Retailers worldwide have been forced to review their current strategies and shift their focus to eCommerce. Most brick and mortar businesses have now made the shift to click and mortar, or simply click-only. The shift to click has at the same time leveled the playing field allowing retailers of all sizes to reach a broader consumer base.

The move to an online-only consumer experience has heavily impacted all retailers who have previously been reliant on relationship selling, enhanced in-store experiences, and consumers touching, feeling, and in some cases, test-driving the products ultimately equating to consumer loyalty and revenue through a brand experience at a deeper level.

Retailers who have been previously reliant on in-store shopping with minimal to no emphasis on their online channels or eCommerce logistics will need to be ready to respond to consumer demand with an omni-channel experience in order to compete. Other retailers need to address customer service and delivery issues as almost a third of online shoppers have experienced shopping issues since the pandemic began.

In addressing this challenge, these retailers must now find a way to deliver that in-store shopping experience online or risk losing valuable sales to competitors. Keep in mind, your competitors may have already learned that the right strategy in combination with remaining agile is integral to consumer delivery, demand, and satisfaction.

There are several tactics employed by successful retailers that have allowed them to hit peaks in online sales, ultimately soaring above their competition. In developing these tactics, these retailers have made many considerations before swiftly adjusting their strategy to capitalize on the digital demand and enhance the digital customer journey.

Here are the top 4 challenges you need to consider when building your strategy:

How do you promote brand loyalty and customer retention in a world-wide-web of choice?

Consumer loyalty can be capricious when “77% of brands could disappear, and no one would care” according to a study conducted by Vivendi. Consumers have a choice and since the playing field has been levelled, retailers need to step up their game by crafting a personalized experience. At the same time, consumer demand must be met with the products and services promised for delivery to avoid frustration and secure loyalty.

How do you solve the “just browsing” in-store mentality to secure the sale?

The increase in online shopping doesn’t mean the physical store is dead. On the flip side, there has been an increase in “browsing” where shoppers are looking for interaction with the product. The browsing mentality becomes a challenge in securing the sale to avoid having your potential customers buy online from a competitor. Retailers are responding to this challenge by adopting an omnichannel strategy where there is a seamless experience between their physical and digital channels. One option for your physical store is to transform your space to a showroom.

How do you solve the “Amazon Challenge” to meet the increasing customer expectation for delivery?

We all love Amazon Prime and their guarantee of next day delivery that the world has gotten accustomed to and now expects from all their favourite brands. Next day delivery is not very realistic for many retailers since not everyone has the infrastructure that Amazon has built – or can afford to build. One way out of this bind is to create additional value. The value-add can be built through loyalty programs, free additional content that aligns with the brand, enhanced customer service, or customizing/personalizing your products based on your consumer data. It is also important to conduct a review of your supply chain to help you meet the delivery demands.

How does my company stand out from the crowd and online noise?

The truth? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. There needs to be a deep level of understanding of who your customers are, what they want, and the value your business can provide them. The answers will guide you to the right platforms, social channels, and content that you need to participate in or develop to build the right strategy for your business. Perhaps your customers would benefit from building a community of like-minded individuals? Maybe you should be using influencers to amplify your brand?

Ask yourself, are you a part of the conversation, leading the conversation, or currently just an active listener?

We now live in a world where the “new normal” is an overused term but a valid one as the world is constantly evolving. Retailers have felt the impact of this over the last year and cannot afford to continue with the strategies and tactics of last week or even yesterday.

To see how you can create a roadmap for success and become more agile, a critical review of your processes and procedures would be the first step. Connect with us today for a consultation to find ways to plan your eCommerce logistics and stay ahead in the shift to click journey.

SMART Auto: Industry-Leading Smart Manufacturing Technology

SHEA Global Limited — 07/04/2022

SHEA Global and Smart Attend have partnered to deliver SMART Auto, an industry-leading smart manufacturing technology platform. Combining Smart Attend’s Industrial Internet-of-Things (IIoT) production monitoring system and SHEA’s Dynamics ERP, SMART Auto provides manufactures a fully pre-configured ERP solution with over 2,000 optimized business process scenarios, which can be operational in just eight weeks, seventy per cent faster than other large-scale ERP systems.

To learn more visit https://sheaglobal.com/shea-global-partners-with-smart-attend-to-deliver-industry-leading-smart-manufacturing-platform.

Seasonal Scalability and Inventory Management 101

SHEA Global Limited — 09/12/2021

Seasons come and go, and with them come different product demands. This brings us to the question: how does seasonal scalability affect your inventory management? The answer to this question is complex and multifaceted. In this blog, we look at the various impacts of seasonal scalability on inventory management and offer an integrated solution to managing these events.

Seasonal Demand: For most, retail products change with the season. Retailers need to ramp up or down on respective inventory levels at the beginning and end of each season. Knowing the seasonal cycle is critical to ensuring the product is available when the consumer wants it or ensuring that a retailer doesn’t get stuck with too much inventory at the end of a season.
Changing Styles: Knowing what consumers will like from year to year can be risky business. Consumer preferences change, which can result in not having enough of the right product on the shelf when customers arrive or, worse, having too much of the wrong products they don’t like.
Long-Tail Items: Having one of something is not the same as having it in slightly different colours and styles to satisfy consumer choices. This can result in even greater inventory planning challenges as the SKU proliferation increases. Adding online proliferation of choices can exacerbate the problem even further.
Full Facing: Making sure that shelves look full is vital to attracting business. Nobody likes shopping at a store with bare shelves. This can create the need to keep higher levels of inventory to ensure the cupboards always look full. But will they sell?
Promotions: Having a product in stock for a store promotion requires lots of coordination with vendors. Promotions usually result in driving higher volumes of consumers to the store. This is not the right time to run out of something because of a supplier shortfall.

SMART Retail is a DDMRP that offers a solution to all these problems. It can actively react in real-time to changes in demand, forecast seasonality, and deal with delays from suppliers. In the end, SMART Retail allows you to make sure you have the right stock in the right location at the right time, something that is priceless in today’s industry. To learn more about our many solutions ranging from the aerospace industry to high technology, visit us at sheaglobal.com.

Choosing the Right Dynamics 365 Application for Your Organization

SHEA Global Limited — 20/01/2022

Did you know that Dynamics 365 has all kinds of applications? Which one is right for you all depends on what your specialty is. In this blog, we go through all the different Dynamics 365 options to help you find the right one for you. Why? Because implementing the right solution will optimize your business practices and help you grow and succeed at an impressive pace.

First up is Dynamics 365 Business Central. This tool helps you manage your financials; automate and secure your supply chain; sell smarter and improve customer service; and keep projects on time and under budget. It does all this through connecting data across accounting, sales, purchasing, inventory, and customer interactions to get an end-to-end view of your business. The system can also accelerate the quote-to-cash process and use built-in privacy-by-design and privacy-by-default methodologies to help your business comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Then there’s Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. This program goes beyond traditional ERP systems by combining the applications that run your finances, sales, and operations together with the familiar Office apps you already know. It creates a suite of easy-to-learn and easy-to-use business solutions tailored to your market, designed for your business size.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales enables salespeople to manage every aspect of the customer engagement lifecycle in a unified, collaborative, and intuitive interface. The program can be used to keep track of your accounts and contacts, nurture your sales from lead to order, create sales collateral, create marketing lists and campaigns, and even follow service cases associated with specific accounts or opportunities.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Talent empowers your HR team and people managers with the tools they need to land top candidates and accelerate their success. Dynamics 365 for Talent leverages the power of Office 365 and LinkedIn to quickly find and onboard the right people.

Finally, Dynamics 365 for Retail allows you to unify digital, in-store, and back-office operations to personalize customer engagement and increase employee productivity. It also empowers retailers to create exceptional, insightful shopping experiences and is ideal for creating an omnichannel experience.

Have these varied applications piqued your curiosity? Want to know all about what Dynamic 365 can do for you? Then get in touch with us at https://sheaglobal.com.

Top Challenges Manufacturers Will Face in 2020

SHEA Global Limited — 21/02/2020

Roger Fleury, the Practise Lead at SHEA Global recently posted on LinkedIn, the Top Challenges Manufacturers Will Face in 2020 on LinkedIn, and today we're sharing them with you.

As we settle into 2020, the year ahead has many opportunities for the manufacturing industry — but also many challenges.

In 2019, global economic conditions left the manufacturing industry exposed to more risk to a business. Ongoing trade conflicts and policy decisions have created disruptions to the global supply chain. More than 50 countries cut interest rates in 2019. Business investments declined. In Canada, business insolvencies increased for the first time in two decades.

With all of this going on, how can manufacturers protect their business and manage risk? Moreover, how can manufacturers find growth and more success?

Despite the challenges, several trends are paving a path forward.

The Deloitte 2020 Manufacturing Industry Outlook recently analyzed key trends for the year that show how manufacturers are preparing for change and taking strategic action.

Here is what they found:

1. Manufacturers are doubling down on their core portfolio

While diversification can bring rewards, going into 2020, more industrial companies are focusing on “getting their houses into order” through streamlining operations and realigning around key markets or customer segments.

Some have turned to mergers or acquisitions to accomplish this. However, more are moving to divestitures. Deloitte reported that the industry observed 13 deals of $500+ million between January and August of 2019.

More manufacturing businesses are looking to lean into what they do best and provides the most value for their core customer base. This involves making strategic decisions to drive change.

2. Manufacturers are building “digital muscle.”

The current business climate isn’t turning manufacturers away from digital investment – in fact, it’s highlighting a greater need for it.

Many manufacturers are looking at digital projects that promote scalability and agility, particularly in the supply chain. If something shifts in the market, businesses will be able to respond quickly — both to threats and opportunities.

Deloitte called this “digital muscle building.” It includes applying artificial intelligence, cloud computing, advanced analytics, robotics, and additive manufacturing that increases visibility and transparency. These projects help mitigate risk while also building flexibility and finding efficiencies.

One example of the need for digital muscle that Deloitte highlighted is a shift in sourcing. In the first eight months of 2019, U.S. imports from China were down 12.7%. In the same period, imports from Mexico and Vietnam rose.

As manufacturers seek more tariff-friendly combinations, digital technology allows them to execute precise lead times and customer approvals.

3. Manufacturers are seeking out more partnerships to build digital capabilities

Business doesn’t work in a silo. Many manufacturers are finding that they need support — to cultivate a strong ecosystem, as Deloitte put it.

Partnerships with suppliers, channels, and customers are driving higher productivity and output and increasing customer retention.

According to Deloitte, digital front-runners pursue partnerships to create new business models at five times the rate of others and to create new value for customers at two times the rate of others. Approximately one in four deals in the manufacturing space over the past two years can be linked to companies with digital value propositions.

In 2020, more manufacturers may embrace partnerships and joint ventures, rather than outright acquisitions.

Read the full Deloitte 2020 Manufacturing Industry Outlook here: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/energy-resources/us-2020-manufacturing-outlook.pdf

While 2020 may bring with it challenges, it is also an important time to take action. Manufacturers that take a proactive stance and embrace digital technology can find a way through the difficult economic conditions to forge a stronger business — for the year ahead, and the future.

Staying stagnant won’t help build a better business. Instead, take deliberate, strategic action through assessing the potential for strengthening the core portfolio, building digital muscle, and forming powerful partnerships.

What do you think 2020 will bring for the manufacturing industry? How does your business intend to weather the storm — and potentially come out stronger on the other side? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

It’s Not You, It’s Your GP

SHEA Global Limited — 23/07/2020

Is It Time To Move On From Microsoft Dynamics GP?

Sonny and Cher… Charles and Diana… Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. (Okay, Brad Pitt and basically every relationship he’s ever been in.) Is the next tragic love story your business and Microsoft Dynamics GP?

GP is great software – no one can argue that it has wonderful qualities. You love spending time with it. But lately, you’ve been having this niggling feeling that your values aren’t so aligned anymore. While you were once in perfect sync, now your ambitions are growing and GP may not have all the qualities you’re looking for in a partner— er, software.

We all know that you can’t change other people. Luckily, GP isn’t actually a person, so you can make some adjustments. But upgrades can only take you so far.

Should you try to make it work, or is it time to set GP free and move on?

We’ve broken down the different choices. Consider us your technology-focused agony aunt.

Moving On: Changing to Another ERP

There are several signs that you may have outgrown GP. These include:

You have more than 20 users.
You've recently gone through an acquisition and your team/process have grown.
You have increasingly complex business flows.
You have increasingly complex reporting requirements.
You're working with multiple countries and currencies (for instance, if your business operates globally).
You want cloud access that enables your team to use your ERP remotely.
You want automatic software upgrades.

GP is scalable, but at a certain point you may have reached the end of the scale. If you are only staying with the software out of comfort, that may not be a good enough reason.

While changing ERP systems is a big commitment, you may be doing your business more harm than good by staying with a system that is no longer working for you. At a certain point, you have to decide to cut the cord. Just like a relationship break-up, the issues won’t resolve themselves, especially if they’ve been simmering for a while.

Other applications give more functionality in certain areas and enable you to stay with the Microsoft family. These include:

Migrating from GP to Business Central

While this is not necessarily a straight-line migration, Business Central gives more flexibility with cloud technology and Microsoft connectivity (it integrates with Office 365 applications, such as Outlook and Excel, for instance).

We recently wrote an in-depth post about this migration and the reasons why you might make the switch.

Migrating to Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management (F&SCM)

For larger companies, F&SCM could be a better choice for your ERP needs. The system offers much more customization abilities, including cloud access and Office 365 integration. It also supports e-commerce through D365 Commerce.

If your business processes have significantly expanded - or are poised to (such as through an acquisition - D365 F&FCM may be the answer.

Like Business Central, D365 is a cloud-based, infrastructure-free, multi-platform, and upgraded periodically by Microsoft.

Staying Put: Upgrading GP

If the previous section had you throwing your arms around your computer and yelling, “I’ll never let go,” a la Rose in Titanic, you may be looking for an alternative: staying with GP.

Your business may be heavily invested in the GP infrastructure and communities. It can be familiar — your team knows the interface and likes using it. All your data is there, so you don’t have to worry about migration.

If this is you, we understand — we love GP, too! And there may be a good reason for you to stay with GP, especially if your business scope, size, and processes are relatively unchanged.

However, you may still want different capabilities than what GP currently provides. For example, we’ve recently had many GP clients approaching us for assistance with Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) integration.

If you’re not currently leveraging the full power of GP, you may have room to continue to scale.

Should You Stay or Should You Go?

As with a romantic relationship, deciding whether to stay with Microsoft Dynamics GP or move to a new ERP system can depend on many factors, including the size of your organization, your processes, and your long-term strategic vision.

However, one thing is certain: if you are growing, or intend to grow, you need to know that your ERP can grow with you. Don’t just accept limitations as the status quo – look for a solution, and perhaps a partner to help you find that solution.

The key here is to select a software partner who will be honest with you about your business needs and potential solutions. For instance, at SHEA Global, we approach every decision with the problem-first and build a solution around your business.

We have experience migrating GP to both Business Central and D365 F&SCM, but we have also worked with Dynamics GP since 1994. Because we have an original GP mindset, we won’t recommend migrating to another ERP just because, but if it’s no longer meeting your business needs, or you’re growing your business, we can help you find a solution that will grow with you — whether that’s GP or otherwise.

Don’t stay stuck in relationship limbo. Reach out today for help making your decision.

What has your experience been with Dynamics GP? Are you looking to hold on or move on? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

What is a Demand Driven Planner?

SHEA Global Limited — 10/02/2020

Roberta McPhail first learned of demand-driven planning in 2009. She felt it was the next best thing in supply chain and management. Today, she is Canada’s leading certified Demand Driven Institute master trainer.

“Demand-driven planning is easy to use and gets results!” McPhail tells us.

McPhail teaches the Demand Driven Planner (DDP™) Program, which is designed for planning, purchasing, and supply chain personnel who are responsible for implementing and maintaining a demand-driven material requirements planning (DDMRP) implementation.

She has experienced first-hand the benefits that becoming DDP certified can bring to both a career and a company.

“Individually, you will become a certified expert to change and manage DDMRP projects,” McPhail says. “Organizationally, with a DDP certified professional on staff, DDMRP capability becomes internal.”

Organizations become much less reliant on external DDMRP consultants, McPhail says. Demand-driven planning also drives 20% (and larger) reductions in inventory.

According to McPhail and other demand-driven experts, demand-driven planning is a classic “too good to be true.”

“In France and Italy this system has been exploding,” McPhail says. “Why? It gets results. … Companies have spent major money in traditional planning to no avail. This is actually embarrassing.”

One of the most difficult parts about becoming demand-driven can be the mindset behind it. Demand planning requires a fundamental shift in operations, but it’s one that when made can greatly improve efficiencies and production.

“It’s a change from being forecast-centric to demand-centric,” McPhail says. “For example, most safety stock systems are never reviewed or optimized. DDMRP has dynamic adjustments to its core. We have to unlearn our systems from the last 50 years!”

To start making this change, McPhail recommends reviewing materials about demand planning with an open mind. Another way is to experience the results for yourself through action-oriented training.

On February 20 and 21, 2020, SHEA Global is hosting a two-day Demand Driven Planner Class in the Greater Toronto Area led by McPhail, where participants can learn about becoming a demand-driven planner.

This class is ideal for those interested in learning and evaluating a DDMRP supply chain system. Participants will compare DDMRP to both traditional MRP and Lean systems. It is software agnostic but will prepare you for a software evaluation and/or potential pilot projects. Attendees will also learn about the ROI justification of this supply chain system and the global activities related to DDMRP.

“I love presenting to manufacturing-centric audiences,” McPhail says.

The workshop is for anyone who touches inventory or has oversight of inventory. Planners, schedulers, buyers, supply chain managers, and directors should all consider attending this training to learn and evaluate this new system with an open mind.

In addition, this training is the official preparatory course for the Demand Driven Planner Professional (DDPP)™ certification exam. Each participant of the DDP will receive a certificate of completion from the Demand Driven Institute. This is the perfect way to take your demand-driven learning further while bringing actionable insights back to your organization.

“Participants will leave the training with a greater awareness of what DDMRP is and why the system exists, as well as knowing where and how to gain more information,” McPhail says

Space is limited but there is still time to register for the DDP™ training. See details and how to sign up: https://learn.sheaglobal.com/ddp-training.

At SHEA Global, we have a proven record of successful demand-driven transformations. Ask us today about our training workshops, DDMRP pilot program, and other supply chain solutions.

Change Management 101: Change or Be Forced to Change

SHEA Global Limited — 08/04/2021

50% of change initiatives fail and only 34% are a clear success.

Organizations can’t fully benefit from new work processes or the implementation of new technologies until the people are on-board.

This is particularly true today because COVID-19 has created a situation where people are already facing uncertainty. In times like these, if there is additional change, it may not be well-received.

… but effective change management can help.

It can reduce the risk of a new system or process being rejected by the enterprise.

Research from Gartner shows that a typical organization undertook five major firmwide changes in the past three years. It further goes on to highlight that 75% of the companies expect to launch more major change initiatives in the coming three years.

So, what are the considerations organizations should have in place to ensure successful change management?

I. Focus on the user

A survey from Gartner reinforces this. Insights from over 6,500 employees and 100+ CHROs around the globe showed that the best organizations rely on their workforce, not executives, to lead transformational change.

The success of your initiative depends on how convinced your teams are to change their behaviours and adopt new processes. Your employees will work more effectively if they have a clear picture of the future and why the change is necessary.

This is why communication and feedback from employees and teams are the cornerstones of every change management strategy.

II. Buy-in from all stakeholders

Just like it is important to include employees in the process, it is important to communicate the plans to other key stakeholders such as your customers.

To promote buy-in from those impacted, you need an effective communication plan so they know what is happening and have some opportunity to provide comments, if not direct input.

III. Increase transparency and reduce misinformation

Transparency is important for companies at any given time but it’s probably the most important when change is underway.

If you don’t provide updated information to your stakeholders, you can count on your company grapevine to rush in and fill that void.

This not only results in a waste of time but speculation can negatively impact the morale of your workforce and wrong information can create serious issues such as high employee turnover.

IV. Manage budget and scope

When it comes to updating business processes or implementing new technologies, a number of steps are involved. That is why it is critical that everyone knows how much you are doing now and how much will be done later. This helps you in keeping track of the activities as well as the associated budgets.

V. Keeping regular business on track

It is easy to get caught up in the process when you’re implementing new and exciting solutions. Though, it is important to ensure that your customers are your priority and the on-going change does not impact your day-to-day operations in a negative way.

At SHEA Global, we are not just focused on processes and products; we understand that change is all about the people.

Reach out to us to learn how you can enhance your adaptive skills and move forward with change quickly and effectively.

Understanding a Unified Communication Solution for Your Remote Office

SHEA Global Limited — 08/07/2021

Remote work has become the new normal for many businesses and employees.

According to Global Workplace Analytics, 70% of the workforce anticipate working remotely at least 5 days a month by 2025.

In social media management company Buffer’s State of Remote Work Survey, 99% of remote workers would like to continue working remotely at least part-time and 95% of remote workers would recommend this workplace arrangement to others.

But with remote work, businesses had to adjust the way they operate and serve customers.

Services had to be delivered using contactless methods, meetings had to be conducted online, and all collaboration efforts had to be done virtually.

A big concern was how operations can run efficiently online if people were used to operating offline.

In today’s remote work world, having a unified communications solution can help with collaboration and productivity.

Why is a unified communications solution important?

Having a unified communications solution standardizes communication protocols and streamlines collaboration. This is especially important for remote work – all communication takes place via digital channels.

Instead of using multiple tools, a unified communications solution allows employees to communicate and collaborate using one single tool that combines all the necessary features.

A unified communications solution increases workplace efficiency and productivity, reduces errors of miscommunication, simplifies the customer experience, and enables effective remote collaboration.

Without such a solution, it’s easy for communication to get lost, sensitive information to be misplaced, and friction to arise between teams and employees.

Choosing the right unified communications solution is important.

To choose the right unified communications solutions for your remote office, you need to understand and assess the communication issues that your employees might face.

Some important questions to ask include:

What is the communication challenge we are trying to solve?
How does the problem impact the workplace?
What are the different solutions available?
What are their benefits and drawbacks?

Asking the right questions allows you to identify how your employees like to work, what kind of communication and collaboration challenges exist, and what the best solution is for your business.

When we transitioned to being remote at SHEA Global, we relied on Microsoft Teams for all our communication, collaboration, and client needs.

The messaging and video conferencing features on Microsoft Teams not only allow our employees to virtually speak face-to-face, it also helps with online events such as tradeshows and hosting webinars.

Built on Microsoft Azure and the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform, Microsoft Teams was also a huge help in ensuring our correspondence was secure.

Since we work with sensitive client information, security was one of the top priorities in identifying our unified communications solution. With Microsoft Teams, we were assured that our internal communication was secure, and our clients information remained confidential.

If you’re looking into unifying your communication and collaboration systems, we can help. Connect with us to explore the solutions available to you. We will help you identify a strategy that works best for your business, so that you can also succeed at remote work.

The Supply Chain Challenges of the Automotive Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 03/06/2021

The automotive supply chain is one of the most complex supply chains in the world.

Thanks to digitalization and globalization, the automotive supply chain has become a multi-national relationship between many suppliers and builders.

Nowadays, a car’s parts come from several different countries, are assembled in different countries, get shipped to different countries, and are sold in different countries.

But it’s not just more digitalization and globalization.

Changes in the manufacturing process, consumer demands, how people want to experience services and products, and disruptive trends in the manufacturing landscape have all impacted the automotive supply chain.

Because of this complex process that moves raw materials to dealerships to the hands of consumers around the world, the automotive supply chain faces many unique challenges.

These are only a few of the examples:

Poor Visibility of Automotive Parts – 81% of the automotive industry is concerned about visibility in the supply chain. Because a car’s many parts are either manufactured in-house or sourced from a third-party manufacturer, a lack of visibility can cause significant delays, inventory shortages, and revenue loss.
Impact of External Factors –Environmental disruptions, import and export deals, and a global health crisis are just a few of the factors. This can affect a manufacturing plant’s ability to operate, source raw materials, and deliver inventory on time.
Changing Consumer Preferences – Consumer trends and preferences determine the demand for vehicles. When consumers change what they want or how they want to receive their products, the automotive supply chain needs to make significant shifts to accommodate.
Lack of Visibility for Costs – Automotive manufacturers have high fixed and variable costs that include machinery, staffing, R&D, suppliers, materials, and shipping. Without high visibility of expenses, it will be hard to determine accurate price points and profit margins.
Poor Quality Assessments – Proper quality inspections ensure that vehicles meet production guidelines and are in excellent condition when they reach the hands of consumers. Lack of auditing can lead to failures and recalls which damage reputation and profit loss.

How Can These Challenges Be Overcome?

With ERP software, automotive supply chain managers get real-time tracking and monitoring of inventory items, increased visibility of supply chain networks and costs, and better control of the supply chain every step of the way.

It automates the tracking process throughout the vehicle lifecycle which reduces delays, allows managers to better plan for anticipated disruptions, and provides a better experience for customers.

At SHEA Global, we’re dedicated to helping you choose the right ERP solution for your automotive supply chain. We’ll evaluate your business to determine the best option that meets your manufacturing needs, so you can gain better responsiveness and competitiveness of your supply chain.

Inventory System Management: Tips for Improving Control

SHEA Global Limited — 21/04/2022

Inventory system management ultimately determines how quickly, reliably, and transparently you can get your orders to customers. Put simply, missed deadlines means lost customers, so it’s crucial that businesses optimize their inventory management as much as possible.

Here are five inventory system management concepts to consider.

Implement Supply Chain Management

It’s impossible to discuss inventory management without touching on supply chains—especially in 2022. The linear supply chain has become obsolete, replaced by a complicated web of players that span time zones, cultures, and political systems.

Even in 2014, long before COVID-19, 80 per cent of organizations with superior supply chain capabilities enjoyed significantly above-average revenue growth. The pandemic has made this more evident.

Demand-driven material requirements planning (DDMRP) is the industry leading operational supply planning and scheduling methodology.

Categorize Your Inventory

A key feature of DDMRP is that it improves the supply chain’s overall flow by strategically positioning and sizing decoupling points.

Put simply, the decoupling point is the position in the supply chain where the product flow changes from push to pull; it is a buffer between upstream and downstream players.

Categorizing these strategic positions will vary depending on different industry needs.

Determine Your Minimum Stock Levels

Effectively managing stock levels is critical for capital and resource management. Too little inventory and you will miss sales—too much means degradation and loss of valuable space. The challenge is finding that Goldilocks middle-ground.

DDMRP helps identify the necessary buffer stock decoupling points need to maintain flow.

Calculating buffer levels will determine its ability to function as intended. In the past, these buffer levels had to be forecasted ahead of time, making it vulnerable to unexpected shocks. The advantage of DDMRP is that these calculations can be adjusted dynamically based on operating parameters, market changes, or future events.

Optimize Your Inventory Replenishment

The planning and calculation that goes into establishing decoupling points and buffer levels culminates in greater supply chain visibility and transparency. Because DDMRP alerts planners of deviation from optimal buffer levels, supply chain synchronization, or lead times, partners can better collaborate on inventory replenishment.

Use Integrated Inventory Control Software

Integrating DDMRP software with your ERP and back-office systems will ensure optimal visibility and financial integrity. We provide award-winning, out-of-the-box, fully integrated DDMRP solutions with Microsoft Dynamics and SYSPRO.

To find out how an integrated supply chain management solution with DDRM can improve fill rates, avoid outages, and reduce stock levels overall (and the cash required to maintain them), contact us at https://sheaglobal.com.

ERP Selection for Manufacturers

SHEA Global Limited — 31/10/2019

You’ve determined that your business is ready to upgrade to an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Now, however, you have to determine what ERP solution is best suited for your organization.

ERP selection for manufacturers entails various considerations. On-premise or on cloud? Single vendor ERP suite or best of breed? To customize or not to customize? All of these decisions, and more, will be made during the selection process.

Choosing the right ERP system is critical as it determines the long-term scope of the capabilities and efficiencies you can achieve to ensure you are fully leveraging your investment.

This ERP selection checklist will ease the decision-making process.

Step One: Evaluate your current operations and infrastructure

Before delving into budget and technical requirements, start by assessing what your organization is already doing. This will give you an overview of where ERP can truly be of value to your organization and provide a greater return.

Questions to ask at this stage include:

What work is currently being done? Who is responsible for each task? How long does each task take? What is the frequency?
What is currently not being done? For instance, do you require more traceability or regulatory compliance? What is always shoved to the bottom of the list and why?
What problems are making this work harder than it needs to be?

Next, create a list of your current systems and network capabilities so as you move forward you can evaluate whether an ERP solution will integrate with your existing infrastructure.

Step Two: Create your ERP requirements list

Now that you have evaluated your current organizational needs, it is necessary to prioritize them.

Categorize your requirements into three tiers. Tier one is the must-haves — the essentials that the final ERP solution you choose requires. Tier two is the requirements that are important, but not mandatory. Tier three is the nice-to-haves; those features that would exist in an ideal ERP but are expendable. These tiers will help guide your choice.

During this stage, liaise with key stakeholders such as senior management, department heads, and users to ensure everyone’s requirements are considered. This will help significantly with buy-in and implementation.

Step Three: Determine your upfront budget

The amount an organization is able to spend on an ERP solution is, of course, a major factor in deciding what system to choose. According to a 2019 Software Path report, businesses can expect to spend $7,200 on average for each user of their ERP system over a five-year period, depending on organizational size and the number of users.

The following play a factor in determining the upfront cost:

Whether you choose an ERP suite or best-of-breed (BoB) solution
How the system integrates with your current systems
The age of the technology – if the software is verging on obsolete you will require another upgrade sooner rather than later
Cloud vs. in-house server
Whether you have an in-house IT technician who can maintain the system or require outside support
The integration tools that come with the ERP
Necessary or desired customization

ERP systems are not one-size-fits-all. There many considerations and customizations that can be made to fit your specific needs.

However, the more customizations that are required, often the higher the price tag will be. Consider your budget when determining what customizations are must-haves and what are nice-to-haves. If you are customizing everything, there may be a better solution on the market that meets your needs out of the box.

Step Four: Determine your total cost of ownership

Many ERP systems are used for upwards of ten years, placing importance on considerations of long-term maintenance and support costs.

The following play a factor in the total cost of ownership:

Ongoing maintenance costs
Ongoing support costs
Implementation timeframe and costs
Training time and resources
Data integration and choosing a single source of truth

Take this opportunity to evaluate your expectations for return on investment. The ERP solution you choose should bring efficiencies to your business, which in turn can decrease operational expenses. Ideally, you will also see an increase in revenue by being able to do more with less. The efficiencies that are gained could result in reallocating existing resources to revenue-generating activities.

Step Five: Evaluate your options

Once requirements and budget have been set, evaluating your ERP options will be a much smoother process. You will be able to identify what systems meet your needs, which require more customization, and beyond.

When evaluating software vendors, look for those who have a history of proven experience with your business size and industry. Some vendors will also support implementation, while others will not.

From there, the next steps are to create an implementation strategy, migration plan, and training.

Choosing a Selection Partner

To truly make the most of your selection process and ensure you choose the right ERP for your organization, a partner is essential.

According to a recent Gartner study, teams spend 16.3 months on average to complete a new IT purchase. Gartner also estimates that 55% to 75% of all ERP projects fail to meet their objectives and one of the biggest reasons for that is poor project management. Working with a qualified, experienced partner can significantly reduce this timeframe while ensuring you are doing everything possible to make your ERP project a success.

There is a lot to consider when adopting an ERP solution for manufacturers, especially if it is your organization’s first time using one. You do not have to go it alone or through guesswork. Selection partners or resellers have a track record of proven experience as ERP evaluators and implementors, working with manufacturers of all sizes.

At SHEA Global, we partner with our clients to take them through the ERP selection process from start-to-finish, helping determine their requirements, budget, select a solution, and implement it

Tracking Better Workplace Accident, Injury, and Illness Reports

SHEA Global Limited — 12/03/2020

Tips and Tricks for Dynamics 365: Injury or Illness Incident Reports

Slips, trips, and falls are one of the biggest causes of accidents in the workplace. According to Workplace Safety North, in the Province of Ontario alone 80 workers are injured every day in a fall — one every 20 minutes. There are approximately 17,000 lost-time injuries each year due to workplace falls.

Workplace accidents and illnesses are seen across the board. In the 2018/2019 year, there were 581,000 self-reported injuries in the U.K. and 28.2 million working days lost to work-related ill health and non-fatal workplace injuries.

While injury and illness prevention is important, there is another factor that must be considered – the reporting.

Workplace health and safety reports are a critical part of any organization. Documenting incidents is legally mandated in many jurisdictions. It is also essential for:

Tracking patterns over time
Preventing future incidents
Managing risk
Filing insurance claims
And much more

However, manual accident reporting has its issues. Forms must be easy to access and have consistent information. They must also be completed on time and error-free for future review. They can also be time-consuming to fill out properly and may decrease productivity.

Paper-based reporting is also difficult to analyze to track patterns and manage risk — which is essential for preventing future incidents.

Luckily, there is a better method.

A More Efficient and Effective Way to Track Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

There exists a hidden gem within Microsoft Dynamics 365, which many human resource or risk management professionals are unaware of. Titled “Injury or illness incident,” Dynamics 365 provides a structured area within the business system to record any accidents or illnesses.

Key information such as the worker, injury or illness type (such as a broken arm), outcome type (such as medical treatment), and information relating to referrals to medical professionals and the area of the body injured are recorded.

An audit trail of where the incident occurred, the cause, and any safeguards that were provided facilitate the accurate recording of the circumstances, should a copy of the report ever be requested.

An example of the data capture form is below:

Treatments or injury filings for insurance claim purposes can be stored within the incident record, to ensure all relevant information is at hand and easy to locate.

Confidential information related to treatments received or provided can also be recorded and monitored.

In order to monitor any trends and ensure a continual history of employee-specific accidents, injuries, or illness incidents, the worker record within Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides a chronological history of the events for audit purposes.

Supporting the U.S. Department of Labor, the ability to prepare OSHA 300, OSHA 300A, and OSHA301 forms are also available.

Tight system security ensures that only authorized personnel have access to this sensitive information, in order to support them in their management role of keeping employees safe and out of harm’s way.

Would this feature assist your business? What other benefits do you see? Share with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

SHEA Global is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 cloud solution provider. If you would like any assistance in setting up your illness and injury accident book, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

What Will the Post COVID-19 Business World Look Like?

SHEA Global Limited — 02/07/2020

COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has had a worldwide impact since it was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. That impact has spread far and wide, spanning from a public health crisis to an economic crisis, to a social crisis, and beyond.

The ripple effect has been an ongoing change in the way we live and the way we do business. In some cases, it has forced innovation and transformation, such as through increased public safety measures.

While some of these measures have been reduced or removed, there are still safety risks in most of the world currently. Health experts are also talking about the potential for a second wave of COVID-19 come the fall. The fact is that we don’t yet know when the pandemic will be over, and even when it does subside, we have now seen the consequences of being unprepared.

In that sense, preparing for the post-COVID-19 business world starts now.

The question becomes how we can best prepare and build stronger, more resilient businesses for the remainder of the pandemic, and whatever future changes come our way.

We’ve compiled trends for the operations of the future.

a) More Safety Regulations

One of the fallouts of COVID-19 has been the eye-opening effect it has had on occupational health and safety.

Pre-pandemic, manufacturing safety concerns had more to do with the safe operation of equipment and less to do with the spreading of infectious disease. However, during the ongoing pandemic, there have been many reports of outbreaks in factories with close quarters.

BBC wrote recently about the trend of major outbreaks at meat processing plants and abattoirs in the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, and the U.S.

Many manufacturers have responded by increasing safety regulations, including issuing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), spacing employees further apart, rotating shifts, and implementing more deep cleaning.

This may go further still.

The increased safety awareness could lead to a reliance on automation, particularly machine learning and AI that can reduce the number of people who need to be in a space at once. Roles may shift to ones that can be done in isolation or remotely to give added safeguards.

Some examples of this in action include systems, as ERP solutions, that create a connected environment.

Manufacturing Automation highlighted some of these trends, including:

Drilling down consumer behaviour to a postal-code level to achieve real-time demand sensing through machine learning and IoT.
Equipping products with sensors to track and monitor in real-time.
Utilizing digital twins to strengthen supply chain modelling.

b) More Technology and Automation

Speaking of automation, another fallout of COVID-19 thus far has been a focus on digital.

While Industry 4.0 and achieving digital transformation have been of increasing importance for years there were still many businesses who hadn’t yet embraced it.

COVID-19 has changed that.

From simple processes, such as moving to Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) from manual banking to the more complex, such as upgrading your ERP, digital transformation has become an absolutely essential part of the post-COVID-19 world.

It can enable businesses to work remotely through cloud infrastructure, reduce the need for in-person contact, promote supply chain adaptability, and beyond.

Bernard Marr wrote about this trend recently, stating:

“Robots aren't susceptible to viruses. Whether they are used to deliver groceries or to take vitals in a healthcare system or to keep a factory running, companies realize how robots could support us today and play an important role in a post-COVID-19 world or during a future pandemic.”

c) More Remote Work

At the start of the pandemic, many businesses gave the option to staff to work from home where possible.

As the pandemic continues, some companies are making that a lasting change.

Large organizations, including Shopify and Twitter, have announced plans to move to permanent remote work. Their physical office spaces may be reduced, or even shuttered.

However, even for businesses that are not or cannot move to permanent work-from-home, we may still see lasting shifts to how business is conducted.

The pandemic has shown exactly how many meetings can be done online (Microsoft Teams, anyone?). Virtual events, conferences, webinars, trainings, and more have also reduced the need for business travel.

While these may not disappear altogether, there could be a large rise in digital events or events that give the option for participants to attend from afar.

Examples of this can spread into further parts of the business world, such as telemedicine, virtual consultations, remote hiring, and beyond.

d) More Adaptable Supply Chains

Even before COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic, many manufacturers felt the impact of supply chain disruptions as factories temporarily limited operations in China.

As the pandemic continued, more factories worldwide had to do the same or were unable to secure certain inventory due to restrictions.

In other cases, supply chains were not disrupted – but the inventory being created was. For example, some apparel manufacturers had planned their spring 2020 lines but then did not sell nearly as much as forecasted. Now they are left with the decision of whether to dispose of the excess inventory or to repurpose it for 2021.

In both examples, the solution lies in creating a more adaptable supply chain.

A demand-driven operating model (DDOM), for instance, can allow businesses to scale their inventory quickly and create only what is needed – so there is less excess. It could also create more resilience by working with multiple suppliers and building in buffers for stronger planning.

Demand-driven can also help save costs in the big picture, which could make it less expensive to near-shore or re-shore supply chain operations if needed.

As IMD wrote, “COVID-19 has revealed the weaknesses of a globalized manufacturing system and in order to respond we need to fundamentally rethink supply chains. Our goals in the medium term should be making them more regional, modifying the supply chain as a key business driver and putting back the human asset as the most important factor for an agile business to succeed.”

e) More Innovation

The final fallout of COVID-19 that we’ll touch on in this post has to do with innovation — and the changing needs the world will have as it recovers and builds resilience.

For example, Marr pointed to AI-enabled drug development. In the post-COVID-19 world, creating and deploying effective and safe drugs faster is imperative, both for treatment and vaccination.

We have also seen changing needs for PPE production — and some manufacturers have adapted their operations to create more equipment.

Food manufacturers have reported trends of people seeking out healthier eating options in the wake of the pandemic.

Rather than sticking with the status quo or even tried and true products, this can be an opportunity for manufacturers to ask, “what else?” What other products might your customer base want or need? What will be of importance to them in the coming months and years of recovery?

Staying on top of trends and customer feedback can help answer these questions and having the technology in place to quickly scale can help you act on it.

What do you think the post-COVID-19 business world will bring? What opportunities and challenges do you see? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

A trusted partner can help your business make the strategic decisions to adapt to the changing business world for COVID-19 and beyond. Reach out to us today for guidance from our end-to-end business transformation experts.

Industry 4.0 Technologies and An Evolution of The Smart Factory

SHEA Global Limited — 03/09/2020

Industry 4.0 Technologies, Digital Transformation, Factory of the Future, and Smart Factories are a variety of names given to a new type of automation and integration, available within a modern manufacturing plant today.

To fully appreciate the evolution, it would be worth stepping back a few years to understand how things were manually done in the past, and what the deployment of Industry 4.0 technologies might look like today.

A Smart Factory of the Nineties

Many years ago, I worked as a production manager for Coats Viyella, in one of their UK factories providing ladieswear to Marks and Spencer. At that time, we were at the forefront of modern manufacturing systems and utilized the Toyota Sewing Systems (TSS) – a cellular garment manufacturing system. This essentially consisted of a team of approximately six to eight highly skilled operatives, working within a small manufacturing team cell. Each operator or machinist typically completed three to four different operations in the manufacturing process and moved between machines to prevent the bottlenecks found in conventional manufacturing lines.

When compared to a traditional production line, the TSS cellular approach allowed us to be much more agile and respond rapidly to new garment styles. With the production floor broken down into approximately eighteen teams, they could all be working on different styles at the same time. The illustration below shows how machinists moved between machines in almost the same way sprinters in a relay race might pass the baton (or garment) from one person to another.

There were several key advantages to the TSS methodology which included the ability to rapidly change from one style to another, the capability to manufacture many different styles at once across production cells, a team of very highly skilled machinists with a very high level of job satisfaction, a reduction of work in progress (particularly bottleneck operations), and a quicker throughput of garments. The only time a conventional sewing line was more effective than the cellular approach was for huge volumes, but at that time retailers were usually working on smaller volumes for a wider range of garments, which suited the TSS system very well.

To ensure that TSS lines ran optimally, traffic light indicators were installed at the start of every sewing cell with three colours. A “red light” flagged by a machinist indicated an urgent breakdown whereby a mechanic responded quickly to resolve the issue, enabling production to continue. An “amber light” was used to call the section manager in the event there was a question or issue with quality. A “green light” was used to indicate that additional work was required and would typically be shown when the first operative in the cell started working on the last bundle, typically a dozen cut garments. This would trigger a new carrier with twelve bundles of twelve garments for the sewing operatives.

The total time taken to manufacture an item was calculated by a work study engineer. On the basis that a garment might take four minutes to complete from start to finish, this represented a total theoretical output of fifteen garments per hour or approximately 120 per day. The section manager was responsible for manually counting the number of garments produced each hour and manually calculating the line efficiency on an hour-by-hour basis. Using simple mathematics, twelve garments per hour represented an efficiency of 80%, and although calculated on a daily basis, 80% was the threshold at which the productivity bonus would be activated. To the machinists, having visibility of their performance during the day helped them push harder to realize larger productivity bonuses.

This gamification of the system did have some pros and cons. A particular downside was of a team falling behind in the morning, generally having an overall poor day, if they couldn’t see a means of catching up. On the flip-side, if a team pushed into the productivity bonus percentage and then fell behind slightly in the afternoon, they would often push hard to catch up, sometimes staying later in their own time to achieve the bonus payment.

Back in the nineties, we used the most advanced sewing systems available and a variety of manual traffic light and KPI systems to manage and optimize our performance and improve communication signals between the shop floor and other departments. It was simple but very manual in its operation.

The Smart Factory of the Twenty-First Century

If we were to explore the smart factory of the twenty-first century there would be some striking similarities. KPIs would still be used to evaluate workplace efficiency and motivate operatives, albeit with automated calculation on the basis of sensor feedback with vivid and interactive graphical BI (Business Intelligence) dashboards to deliver the same visibility and gamification necessary to motivate.

A photoelectric sensor might be placed at the end of the production line to record the quantity finished which highlights machine efficiency. Sensor feedback of finished product could update the core business system in real-time, providing updates to the sales team of the finished product, progress on specific customer orders, available capacity, etc.

For machine breakdowns, there would still be the critical breakdown trigger. Though, it would likely be sensor-driven with an alert sent directly to the mechanic and an automated repair work order created within your business system. This would capture total downtime, the time required for repairs, and spare parts consumed; providing a greater depth of breakdown cost to the business.

Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) with intelligent maintenance scheduling, we could also identify recurring problem machines and optimum service durations between maintenance – all with a strategy to maximize productive machine time and minimize machine breakdown as well as the associated loss of production. Real-time streams of environment sensors could again feed a BI dashboard. A simple example is shared below:

In much the same way that finished product could automatically update the core business system of its availability, the raw material stock could also automatically update stock available for production via smart RFID tags.

Following the process automation journey, the supplier’s purchase invoice could be received electronically as an EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) message, automatically updating the core business system of the amount due. The business system could then automate the vendor payment process.

Industry 4.0 technologies and the smart factory have the ability to automate many manual transactions within a modern production facility, freeing up workplace resources to work in other areas of the business, such as innovation and product design. This can potentially result in a reduction in the overall cost of production since labour typically represents the largest proportion of the manufacturing costs.

Industry 4.0 technologies can make factories smarter, more efficient when it comes to production, more agile in their ability to react to change, and better equipped to improve workplace safety through a network of interoperable and linked sensors.

I hope this article can show you that Industry 4.0 isn’t that complicated, and neither is it a set meal where you have to eat everything. Industry 4.0 technologies are really just a combination of tools – much like an a la carte menu where, as a business, you can choose the things you feel are most impactful for your business.

Dynamics AX Support is Ending: Everything You Need to Know About the Transition

SHEA Global Limited — 14/11/2019

Microsoft Dynamics AX support is coming to end (or may have already ended, depending on your version). Are you prepared for what’s next?

It’s time to make some important business decisions that will have a long-term effect on your processes, people, and other software integrations. Whether you decide to stay with Dynamics AX past the support end-date or move to a new platform, we have your guide on how to facilitate a smooth transition and mitigate any adverse impacts.

When is Dynamics AX support coming to an end?

The end dates for mainstream Microsoft support for Dynamics AX vary by version:

Dynamics AX 2012: Mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018

Dynamics AX 2012 R2: Mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018

Dynamics AX 2012 R3: Mainstream support is ending on October 12, 2021

What does the Dynamics AX support end-date mean for users?

When AX mainstream support ends, it means that Microsoft will not provide any hotfixes or patches to address bugs or legislative changes (for example, taxation). If you continue to use Dynamics AX unsupported, you could be facing software challenges, as well as potential legal and compliance issues, that will affect your processes and frustrate your people.

If you do choose to continue using Dynamics AX past the support end-date, we recommend partnering with a Microsoft reseller, such as SHEA Global, that will continue to provide limited support even after Microsoft discontinues it.

However, that said, there is a comparable software solution that current AX users should consider transitioning to: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations.

Why Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations has a modern interface with efficient, best practice processes within the software.

The solution is user-friendly, easy to deploy using the new Microsoft suite of tools, and contains several enhancements that extend the reach of the supply chain — for example, the vendor collaboration portal. Although browser based, the core business and system processes remain very similar between AX and Dynamics 365.

Transitioning from Dynamics AX to 365 for Finance and Operations

If you are considering transitioning from AX to Dynamics 365 (D365), there are steps your organization should take sooner rather than later.

Businesses using AX should:

Evaluate whether any customisations in their existing AX system are needed or can be satisfied with standard functionality in D365.
Revisit their business processes to see whether anything has changed in their business or market to see whether D365 can better help them succeed.
Start the transition conversation early! While 2021 may seem a long way off, starting discussions now about moving to Microsoft Cloud means you will have time to refine your deployment.

While moving from AX to D365, it is also important to note that the transition isn’t a straightforward technical upgrade, like other versions have been. It resembles a re-implementation, taking static data across and opening transactions/balances. This provides a great opportunity to review processes and adapt to new technologies.

We do not recommend taking all of your legacy data when you transition.

Moving from On-Premise to the Cloud

While Dynamics AX is hosted on-premise, D365 is more often hosted on the Microsoft Cloud, providing users with significant advantages.

A simplified deployment model
No need for powerful on-premise servers to run the application
Browser based, intuitive, and user-friendly
It’s scalable – as business needs dictate, you can flex your license up and down with the Microsoft D365 subscription
Microsoft tunes your environment to ensure optimum performance
Failover – Microsoft handle backups and disaster recovery automatically for you
Easier collaboration with customers, vendors, and employees
Access to the latest technology through software upgrades
Integrates well with Office 365

If data security in the cloud is a concern for transitioning, have no fear — Microsoft has the infrastructure, skills, and capacity to monitor your network for cyber threats.

Regular software updates also ensure you are current with the latest cybersecurity protection, and D365 makes this easy to accomplish by notifying users of upgrades and scheduling them for a convenient time.

Making Your Transition Seamless

The most effective approach is to begin with a business review, culminating in a solution blueprint to determine the areas of functionality to be used, the core business processes, and a fixed price approach to moving from AX to D365 to prevent any unplanned costs. Since there is likely to be a significant demand for migration projects, we recommend starting your discussions with your partner now.

At SHEA Global, we partner with our customers to realize their business goals by achieving operational excellence. Whether our customers are transitioning from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations or require support past the AX end date, if that is their preference, we are invested in their success.

Microsoft Dynamics GP to Business Central: Not a Straight Line

SHEA Global Limited — 25/06/2020

One of the common concerns about transitioning from Microsoft Dynamics GP to Business Central is the lack of an easily defined migration path.

In short — if you want to move to Business Central from Dynamics GP, there is no straight line.

There are, however, ways to make the process simpler and remove many of the headaches along the journey. While it may not ever be a straight line, with the right mindset, team, and tools, it can at the very least become a gentle curve.

Here is how to achieve that.

Reasons for Switching from GP to Business Central

To start, let’s look at why you might want to switch your ERP system from GP to Business Central in the first place.

There are several reasons you might consider the change, including:

You want to move your ERP to the cloud.
You want fewer upgrades — since Business Central is hosted in the cloud, Microsoft automatically installs updates.
You could find cost savings through licensing.
You have little-to-no IT resources in-house.
You want access to the latest, cutting-edge features from Microsoft.
You need more functionality. It is easier to attach functionality, such as managing distribution or manufacturing, in Business Central.
You want to integrate your ERP with Office 365 products — Business Central has greatly improved the compatibility.

e all love GP, but it may be time for your business to transition to Business Central. If that is the case, you need to know how to make that transition as seamless as possible.

Tips for Transitioning GP to Business Central

The challenge with moving from GP to Business Central is that there is no migration tool that will magically turn one software into the other. However, these tips can get you closer.

Tip #1: Shift your mindset

As they are two fundamentally different programs, Business Central cannot be set up the same way that you have GP set up. It works differently and the way you work with it should also change. This is a mindset shift that businesses following this path will have to embrace.

That said, that doesn’t mean the migration has to be horrible. In fact, in some respects, it can even be easier.

For instance, because of the Office365 integration, you can import data from an Excel spreadsheet straight into Business Central.

Tip #2: Consider your historical data

Additionally, you need to give some thought to your historical data — what you’re going to do with it and how you will retain it.

When you move from GP to Business Central, you can’t bring all of your data with you. There needs to be planning around the amount of legacy data you have and how valuable it is to you.

Tip #3: Ask what functionality you truly need in your ERP

From the beginning of the process, look at what functionality your business truly needs in its ERP. This can help guide your data decisions and implementation. Instead of thinking of it as straight migration, keep an open mind and consider it as a new implementation.

These shifts can help identify new functionalities that could improve your business even further.

If you treat moving to Business Central as a new implementation with new functionality, anything is possible.

Tip #4: Seek out experienced guidance

Another secret to easing the transition is to work with a partner who has experience in GP to Business Central migrations. At SHEA, for example, we’ve completed many migrations and know how to navigate the common pitfalls. We can help plan your transition from the start, including assessing where you should replicate functionality and where you shouldn’t.

An experienced partner can also help you get the most out of your new tool and even determine whether the switch is necessary in the first place.

The reality is that Business Central may be for you — or it may not. But it’s well worth finding out that answer before you make the switch. You also shouldn’t assume that it’s not for you. Instead, let someone who knows what the Dynamics 365 family of products is capable of doing help you determine what the new answer is for your business.

At SHEA Global, our overall expertise, support, and long-term relationship with Microsoft Dynamics GP can help you navigate the not-so-straight road of transitioning to Business Central.

Reach out to us today to learn more about our GP support and system integrations.

Crafting the Fashion Production Process of the Future

SHEA Global Limited — 03/02/2020

Top 5 Unique Business Challenges Fashion Manufacturers Face and the Innovative Ways to Solve Them

Achieving operational excellence in the fashion industry is about more than having a great design. Some of the most difficult challenges companies encounter occur during the fashion production process.

The State of Fashion 2018 report, issued by The Business of Fashion and McKinsey, revealed that one of the biggest business challenges fashion companies are likely to face in the coming years is the digitization and improvement of the supply chain.

Speed to market, optimizing production, right-sizing inventory, balancing omnichannel distribution, and more all present unique business challenges for fashion manufacturers.

Read on for the top five difficulties fashion manufacturers face today and how they can be solved.

Achieving digital transformation of the supply chain

Industry 4.0 is shaping the factory of the future — which is of particular importance to fashion manufacturers as these technologies allow for significant opportunities in the supply chain and fashion production process, such as shortening lead times, creating more diverse or customized product lines, and becoming more agile.

However, for many fashion manufacturers the concept of digital transformation is seen as overwhelming.

According to strategy+business:

“Industry 4.0 is not a group of technological platforms that can easily be adopted as a purely operational upgrade.”

“It requires a clear strategy and top management commitment; the transformation of key operational activities; and a deep understanding of collaboration, across internal company boundaries and likely with other companies that share the same platforms and technologies.”

In reality, the real challenge with digital transformation is making the decision to move forward with progressive change and taking that first step in planning. While the technology fashion manufacturers choose for the future is essential to supply chain transformation, it is most important to have a sound strategy and understanding of the processes being transformed.

It is not enough to have software without a strategy — you need both.

How to solve this challenge:

To solve this challenge, fashion manufacturers need to understand digital transformation and how it can be applied to their business — and how that application can produce quantifiable results. Each manufacturer is different; digital transformation will not look the same for everyone. However, by embracing what makes you unique and looking for the processes that will be most effective for your organization to transform, you can make real progress in a relatively short time.

This can now be where a value-added reseller (VAR) partner comes in. They can help you think of pilot projects that keep the budget low with minimal disruption to the business so you can start seeing the effects, get the buy-in that you need, and build a plan to move forward.

Traceability in an omnichannel environment

For today’s fashion manufacturers, traceability is paramount.

When you are scaling and working with more retailers, channels, warehouses, and distribution centres, it is often all too easy for inventory to be misplaced and unoptimized. This can be due to siloed and inefficient systems, lack of real-time tracking, manual processes that result in human error, and more.

You need to make sure that you know where your inventory is going, how much you need of it, that it is kept in stock with retailer partners (you can’t always rely on retailers to tell you this because they are facing their own challenges) and more.

Traceability is not only important for improving internal processes either. It’s also a way to stay transparent to consumers who demand proof of sustainable production.

Consumers today expect more transparency. According to Sourcing Journal’s “Transparency: Opportunities, Obstacles & Outlooks 2019” report, 85% of respondents say transparency is either extremely or very important to the apparel industry’s success.

Consumers want to know more about the products they are buying — who made them, where supplies came from, how excess product is disposed of, and beyond.

While transparency and traceability are two different goals, the outcome of both can be the same — improved production and sustainability in the supply chain.

How to solve this challenge:

To resolve this challenge, you need to create a traceability system that will work in today’s ever-changing manufacturing landscape.

Using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software can automate processes, add bar codes for tracking, eliminate the potential for human errors, and find your inventory at every step of the process. It can also connect siloed warehouses and teams to give you an at-a-glance overview of your entire inventory system. This will allow you to both optimize your own processes and increase transparency with customers.

Some ERP systems are specifically designed for the fashion industry. This allows for much more traceability and path management than using a basic accounting system, or even an ERP optimized for a different industry.

Inventory optimization and control

Two important complements to traceability are inventory optimization and control.

With traditional material requirements planning (MRP), many fashion manufacturers can find it challenging to accurately forecast how much supply they will need. This often leads to creating not enough product, or too much and having to dispose of it.

Unfortunately, the disposal methods fashion companies use have not always been environmentally or budget friendly, which can have a negative impact on both brand reputation and your bottom line.

Even if you know where your products are in the supply chain, un-optimized inventory processes can make it difficult to reduce lead times, create new product lines, and become more agile and flexible. The challenge is identifying what processes to shift from manual to automated in a budget-friendly way that produces real results.

How to solve this challenge:

By optimizing their MRP, fashion manufacturers can more accurately forecast demand. This method is called demand-driven material requirements planning (DDMRP).

Doing so also makes it easier for fashion companies to create more product — such as holiday-specific merchandise — or achieve personalization for consumers while also conserving costs.

Your ERP solution is essential here too. It helps track sales order management, including optimal allocation of received stock, and some systems can even automatically cancel or replace items when minimum quantities aren’t met during the presale phase.

Changing customer expectations: on-demand delivery and mass customization

Speed-to-market is another top challenge for fashion manufacturers, and it’s only getting more competitive.

With the rise in on-demand expectations, many distributors (including Amazon) are feeling the pressure to hasten delivery times — and the costs that come with it.

This is particularly challenging as “fast fashion” comes under scrutiny. Manufacturers need to increase speed-to-market while maintaining sustainability and product quality. For some, this might include near-shoring or even on-shoring production.

Along with on-demand delivery, consumer expectations are also changing for personalized production. Whether it’s monograms embroidered on a towel, a limited-edition product line, or even an app that scans a customer’s foot and makes a pair of shoes to their dimensions, mass customization is a growing trend that will evolve into mainstream practice.

Some apparel companies are offering the option for consumers to use virtual reality technology to see how garments would look on purchasers, then rapidly adjusting designs.

In 2017, Google and Ivyrevel launched the Data Dress, which used an app to track a user’s activities, lifestyle, and environment to create a customized dress.

Mass customization is not going away, and fashion manufacturers need to adapt their supply chains accordingly — all while maintaining (and exceeding) speed-to-market.

How to solve this challenge:

By working with technology that increases efficiencies, manufacturers can achieve faster time to market. The right material requirements planning process is a large part of that, as is your business technology suite solution. A suite of solutions – such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central — can help enhance processes across the whole organization, from the finance department, to customer service, to the supply chain, and beyond. This can in turn create more alignment between departments and decrease informational siloes.

The processes you use in your business are key to improving both speed and manufacturing capacity. Looking for roadblocks in the supply chain workflow, such as bottlenecks, red tape, and unleveraged technology, is important to find new opportunities and achieve operational excellence.

Rapidly changing industry and market conditions

While competition is stiff in the fashion industry, there is another type of competitor that fashion manufacturers might be facing:

Themselves.

According to The State of Fashion 2019, 79% of executives placed self-disruption in the top five trends affecting the fashion industry.

Fashion businesses need to be constantly looking for innovation, exceeding customer expectations, and creating a fluid experience from start to finish. While this is not necessarily manufacturing-specific, it does involve the manufacturing process.

Manufacturing is the backbone of the fashion industry. If you have an innovative product but you’re not able to distribute it quickly, that’s an issue. If you want to scale and grow but you’re limited, that’s a problem.

Fashion businesses must be able to stay agile and productive with shorter decision cycles and quicker responses to change.

How to solve this challenge:

Part of the solution comes down to how your organization approaches thinking about change. Carol Dweck, author of the book Mindset, describes this as having a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset. Organizations with a growth mindset embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, learn from criticism, and seek opportunities for development.

Is your manufacturer embracing potential for change and open to exploring new ways of thinking — or are you stuck in your old processes and patterns?

The other part of this challenge comes down to the sheer volume of choices available to today’s manufacturers. It can be difficult to keep current with the latest technologies when those technologies are always changing. Yet there is a simple way that fashion manufacturers can stay in-the-know with the latest trends without sacrificing operations: their software upgrades.

Software upgrades provide a roadmap to Industry 4.0. They pave the way for change, opportunity, and customization, even if your business isn’t necessarily there yet.

Paired with a growth mindset, manufacturers can use software upgrades as a way to identify new areas for development within their organization.

While new innovations and developments can mean challenges for the fashion manufacturing industry, all of these challenges can be solved. Additionally, not only can they be solved, but they can also be a real gamechanger for your organization.

For instance, optimizing the supply chain and inventory control makes it much easier to add a new product line. Through transforming manual processes into automated ones, manufacturers can save time and costs, and also increase productivity and reduce errors. By seeking out opportunities for growth and development, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and find a loyal customer base.

The key is marrying mindset and technology. The technology can help achieve results, but the mindset is what will help you realize the results that are possible.

SHEA Global has extensive experience in the fashion industry and has a partnership with fashion ERP solution provider K3|pebblestone. We understand the business challenges that fashion manufacturers face and have the in-depth knowledge to solve them.

Reach out today for a consultation to help your fashion company achieve business better.

The Secret to Enabling Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Technologies Lies Within Your Software

SHEA Global Limited — 07/11/2019

Software solutions, such as ERP systems, are changing how manufacturers and distributors do business.

In the era of Industry 4.0, new technologies are constantly emerging. While this is exciting, it can also be overwhelming for businesses.

PwC Canada reports that globally only 10% of companies in key sectors like auto manufacturing, consumer goods, electronics, and industrial equipment have been able to master the cultural, strategic, and operational changes needed to support Industry 4.0.

In Canada, PwC says manufacturers recognize the benefits associated with Industry 4.0, yet few have been able to make the transition to date. This can stem from a lack of knowledge about how to evolve or worries about the return on investment (ROI).

It can also come from a lack of time and resources. How can businesses stay on top of the latest trends and technological innovations — such as AI, machine learning, supply chain transformation, and more — while managing the day-to-day?

Many organizations have found this to be an ongoing challenge, yet it is an essential one to solve as we work towards the smart factory of the future.

The answer of how to find this balance lies within your software upgrades.

Digital Transformation is a Journey – and Your Software Upgrades are the Trail Markers

Achieving digital transformation is a journey with many steps along the way — the equivalent of a marathon versus a race. Steps in the journey span from converting documents into something that can live in the cloud to automating entire manufacturing processes.

However, like a marathon, there are markers along the way to ensure you are headed in the right direction, maintaining efficiency, and keeping up with competition. These markers are your software upgrades.

Just as your business needs to stay relevant with the latest trends and technologies, so do Industry 4.0 software providers.

ERP system solutions, such as SYSPRO, Dynamics GP, and Business Central, stay competitive by providing the best value and latest attributes to their users. In turn, they are passing their knowledge on to you, the customer.

While upgrading to a smart software solution, like an ERP system, is the first step in your journey to digital transformation, steps two, three, four, and beyond are equally important. With an effective software partner, these steps are already laid out for you.

Software Upgrades Bring Leading Research to Your Business

Software solution providers conduct research into Industry 4.0 trends and technologies before most other businesses. They have the resources dedicated to this since the competitiveness of their solution and your business depends on it. As a result, they integrate the latest capabilities into their new updates to take your digital transformation journey further.

Software upgrades and updates are essential to your journey because your software is capable of taking you to the next step in your business’s growth and transformation. By investing in software solutions, you are already a step ahead.

Flexible Capabilities Meet Your Business Requirements

Each software solution offers flexibility for users to decide what new capabilities they want to adopt.

For instance, the ERP Technology Matrix report from Nucleus Research cited that the Fall 2019 release of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations integrated supply chain capabilities, such as warehouse management, transportation management, and supply chain planning.

Another example of functionality meeting usability from the ERP Technology Matrix is SYSPRO’s ERP bot, which comes with 60 skills available out of the box and can be deployed to any messaging platform. This allows for customization depending on your business model.

While not all businesses require these capabilities today, the option is there for when you’re ready to take it on. This means that when you do decide to hit go, you can start right out of the gate eliminating the lag time that goes along with setting up your foundation.

Partner Support is Essential for Planning Your Journey

There is another essential part of ensuring your software upgrades are as beneficial to your business as possible — support and guidance from your value-added reseller (VAR).

Your VAR is the expert on integrating digital transformation for your business and they also know your organization intimately. They will guide you to achieve success and change within your journey while optimizing efficiencies.

They have the tools, expertise, and knowledge to advise what steps to take for your digital transformation goals and enable you to leverage your full software investment. In your digital transformation journey, they are your guide.

You are not alone in your quest. Talk to your partner or value-added reseller to create a plan that incorporates software upgrades.

At SHEA Global, we partner with our customers in their journey. We are experts in achieving business better through operational excellence and digital transformation.

Reach out if you need help getting started. We’re here to help ensure you are taking the right strategic steps and to guide you through your digital transformation journey.

Fleet Management: Technological Advances Changing the Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 26/05/2022

On the one hand, with supply chain disruptions, volatile fuel costs, and increased job vacancies for drivers, challenges abound for the fleet industry. On the other hand, advances in fleet management technology have enabled the industry to become safer, more efficient, and more prepared to tackle unexpected challenges. Here are some of the technological trends you need to know about to stay competitive.

Cloud-Based ERP

To be profitable and run smoothly, fleet managers must have a grasp of all the costs connected with operating their vehicles. In the past, managers, technicians, and drivers had to keep track of mileage, oil change dates, whenever the check engine light came, etc. in spreadsheets and physical logbooks. This was time-consuming and prone to error—a potentially lethal mix.

Businesses can do this all more efficiently and thoroughly with cloud-based ERP systems. Now, all fleet management data can be accessed over the internet through a mobile device any time and anywhere. This leads to improved fleet management and lower expenditures.

Studies show companies that use data management reduce total mileage by 10 per cent, which is significant considering fuel costs account for nearly 40 per cento of overall fleet expenses.

Artificial Intelligence

AI in fleet management can mean a lot more than driverless vehicles. AI is at the centre of predictive analysis, machine learning, routing, and more, which can be used to augment human decision-making as well as automate other functions. Fleets are using AI to mine large data sets that humans simply can’t such as driving behaviour, hours of service, environmental conditions, and traffic.

AI is having a large impact on video telematics, for example, using facial recognition to detect if a driver is falling asleep and issuing a warning. Video telematics can reduce collisions by 60 per cent and collision costs by 75 per cent.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Fleet managers can deploy IoT solutions to further complement telematics and AI capabilities and feed machine-learning algorithms more data. IoT in fleet management can improve efficiency and visibility while lowering costs.

Sophisticated telematics with IoT can have a large impact on fleet maintenance. Vehicle sensors can anticipate when the oil needs to be changed, when brake pads are breaking down, when a battery needs replacing, or when tires need to be rotated. This can lead to big savings considering the cost of parts and labour rose by nearly 8 per cent in 2021.

Telematics can also help monitor cargo with temperature control, surveillance, and vibration control, protecting fragile and perishable items such as food or medication.

We Know Your Industry

We understand that “fleet management” can incorporate a large set of operations such as finance, maintenance, telematics, driver management, and more. SHEA has the digital solutions for your fleet management challenges, including Annata 365, an industry-leading ERP add-on for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, designed specifically for the automotive, equipment, rental, and fleet industries.

Whatever your needs, we can help you identify the best solution and work with you to implement it. Contact us today at one of our global locations or visit our website.

Take Back Manufacturing With Industry 4.0

SHEA Global Limited — 15/10/2020

Shea Global, leadership and guidance providers in recommending the right technology solutions for businesses, held a webinar recently on taking back manufacturing by implementing industry 4.0 technologies in business processes.

Shea Global says:

"UK manufacturers will experience yet another sea change over the next few years, in part, due to variability that may seem beyond our control.

Luckily, manufacturing equipment and technologies that help you run your business have gone through significant advancements but automation alone is not enough to stay ahead in today’s ultra-competitive environment.

This is forcing a rethink of how future business processes should be structured and recapitalized. Looking beyond just surviving but thriving in today's global economy will demand a re-focus on improving the competitiveness of the local manufacturing capability, and differentiating not only your products but your entire company and brand.

This will demand businesses follow a continuous improvement journey including a plan to implement Industry 4.0 technologies to enable our economies to Take Back Manufacturing"

If any of the following questions apply to you, you may be applicable for a FREE Industry 4.0 assessment.

Do you have complex traceability, compliance, or regulatory requirements that require reporting or auditing?
Do you have manual data entry requirements or delays in order to complete key operational business transactions?
Have you ever experienced downtime or interruptions in production caused by material or equipment failures or non-compliance?
Do you rely on manual inspections or manual processes to identify potential operational errors or equipment failures?
Would you like to be able to monitor, report, adjust and react to changes in your operational environment or operational priorities in real-time or on an exception-only basis?

Click here to sign up for a FREE Industry 4.0 Assessment and to watch the "Take Back Manufacturing With Industry 4.0".

Planning a Successful Demand-Driven Implementation

SHEA Global Limited — 18/12/2019

The demand-driven operating model is changing the face of supply chain management — and for good reason.

A demand-driven operating model (DDOM) simplifies planning, alleviates production pressures, optimizes inventory, and even increases revenue.

Does it sound too good to be true? It’s not. Often, when people see demand-driven principles in action, they ask “why isn’t everyone doing this already?”

Becoming demand-driven is not about the software and technology — it’s about the process and the people.

While DDOM and its associate DDMRP (demand-driven material requirements planning) are simple in concept, they can be difficult for businesses to implement if they don’t have the appropriate mindset in place.

Setting Up Your Business for Demand-Driven Implementation Success

Roger Fleury, Practice Lead at SHEA Global, has helped many businesses implement demand-driven models into their organizations and knows what challenges can come up along the way.

“Putting in a DDOM is going to focus on the planning and supply chain departments but will naturally impact many other areas,” Fleury says.

“You always have to marry local/departmental requirements with wider corporate goals.”

That can prove challenging if the executive team doesn’t understand the concepts of demand planning. This could result in a lack of funding for the project or pushback about whether it is necessary in the first place.

It can also be difficult if the demand-driven mandate comes from the top of the organization, but the implementers or production line staff don’t understand the need.

If you want to truly transform the operational effectiveness of an organization, you need to have buy-in from everyone — both at the top and bottom of the corporate structure.

“However,” Fleury says, “the top holds the purse strings, so start there.”

Improving Buy-In for Demand-Driven Operations

There are several ways businesses can improve buy-in from the start of the implementation process at any level of the organization.

Look for training that makes the concepts actionable

Workshops such as DDBRIX take demand-driven and Lean assembly concepts and make them accessible to attendees.

As recent DDBRIX Toronto Workshop attendee Kevin Hollis put it, “You couldn’t argue with the numbers because you just experienced it.”

If you are looking to improve demand-driven understanding across the organization, training like DDBRIX is time-friendly and proves the effectiveness of a demand-driven model.

“DDBRIX works best in multi-disciplinary teams,” Fleury says. “It’s a great forum to discuss the issues facing an organization and how repeating the same old solutions will not ultimately lead to lasting improvements.”

While longer training may be necessary for those implementing DDOM, an action-oriented overview can be enough for team members who primarily need to understand the benefits and see the results before implementation, such as the finance and IT departments.

Participating in pilot programs

Demand-driven pilot programs take education further by actually implementing the concepts into your organization. You can try out DDMRP and show tangible results to decision-makers, even without necessarily having a long-term strategy.

“There is nothing wrong with “just” implementing a DDOM without the grand plan in place,” Fleury says.

“There are so many soft and hard benefits of thinking demand-driven that a basic implementation will pay for itself many times over. At the same time, having a model in place will open up many avenues of improvement for an organization to explore.”

A pilot program is a great way to experience those benefits and think about how to extend them to other parts of your business – such as product planning, S&OP, the production line, and beyond.

Ongoing education and training

Demand-driven education, training, and understanding shouldn’t stop at implementation.

In certain cases, particularly in an acquisition or merger, education and training may again be necessary for new team members.

And even for existing staff, ongoing training is often beneficial.

“ERP or DDOM cannot be installed once and expect to be relevant years later without continuous improvement,” Fleury says.

As priorities and people adapt within an organization, demand-driven thinking should adapt with them — and perhaps even guide the shift.

Putting Demand-Driven Thinking into Action

If your business is on the fence about demand-driven operations, think about the potential benefits associated with it. The demand-driven results often speak for themselves. Once in place, most companies will see further potential in the concepts.

“This does not mean everyone will embrace the methodology wholeheartedly, but results definitely help to bring doubters round,” Fleury says. “How much help each company needs to get to that point will vary... But that is what we are here for.”

While some disruption may occur within the organization when you make the transition, working with a partner experienced in demand-driven training and implementation makes the process painless at all levels of the organization — and increases buy-in across the board.

A demand-driven partner can also help garner results that much sooner and identify areas for future growth and adaptation.

As more and more businesses embrace a demand-driven model, now is the time to get ahead of the competition and start finding results.

“What if your competitors operated a DDOM and became a demand-driven adaptive enterprise (DDAE) but you did not?” Fleury asks. “Would you survive?”

SHEA Global has a proven track record of implementing successful demand-driven operating models. Ask us today about our DDMRP Pilot Program, DDBRIX training workshops, and demand-driven consultative solutions.

Food Management: Digital Solutions

SHEA Global Limited — 05/05/2022

In recent years, food management has become increasingly sophisticated thanks to developments in advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the cloud. Digital food management can optimize manufacturing processes, supply chain operations, marketing strategies, and more benefiting stakeholders from farm to table including producers, vendors, and restauranteurs alike.

Unsurprisingly, with increasing demand for healthier, cheaper, and safer food products, the worldwide food technology market is expected to exceed 340 billion USD by 2027.

Here are some advantages you can leverage by digitalizing your food management systems.

Better Quality

The IoT gives you greater visibility into food production by integrating the various machines and assembly line processes into one data system, providing producers the necessary insights to make improvements and drive better results. Sensors can track and update information regarding temperature and humidity to inform shipping times, for example. Being able to monitor large food production systems can uncover issues in real-time, reducing downtime and other problems.

The large volume of data generated through production operations can be stored in the cloud, which can be effortlessly merged with other sources from anywhere. You could use this data for predictive maintenance, reducing costs and downtime while increasing line productivity.

Demand Forecasting

Each year, the food industry loses billions from either having too little or too much food. According to recent studies, stockouts account for more than $630 billion in lost sales globally, and overstocks represent over $470 billion in losses due to markdowns. Considering fresh produce, which has a shelf life of about a week, makes up 40 per cent of retailers’ sales, there is a very small window of opportunity to get it right.

Restaurants and manufacturers can use advanced data analytics to study consumer behaviour to forecast demand. Wasting hours sifting through old logbooks is no longer sustainable in today’s economy. Digital technology and software like ERP systems can process large data sets easily and make long-term demand forecasting possible, giving the food industry the necessary agility to react to market forces in real-time.

Less Wastage

Here are some facts and figures to consider:

Food waste is responsible for about 7 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions
One-third of all good produced globally is wasted yearly
The resources need to produce that wasted food has a carbon footprint of over 3 billion tons of CO2
Anywhere from 4 to 10 per cent of the food purchased by restaurants is wasted before reaching the customer

Digital food management can not only help the food industry improve food quality while becoming more profitable, but it can also help make the industry more environmentally friendly.

We Know Your Industry

SHEA has the digital solutions to improve your food management systems and processes. We can help you manage your inventory with software like Dynamics GP, gain control over your manufacturing, distribution, and accounting with SYSPRO, and develop your cloud computing with Azure.

Upskilling and Re-skilling – Preparing for an Evolved Global Economy

SHEA Global Limited — 25/02/2021

There has been a lot of talk about having a future-ready workforce.

What does that really mean?

Well, as technology evolves, jobs change. So, skills that may have been essential a couple of years ago, may not necessarily be relevant anymore.

Additionally, the pandemic has impacted industries and sectors across the board. Companies have seen their business models evolve – which has widened the gap between the current skills of their workforce and the future needs of their business.

In Canada, within the first two months of the pandemic, over three million jobs were lost.

While many jobs will return once the economy bounces back, others may not as marketplaces are shifting and workplace roles are evolving.

To ensure that the workforce has relevant skills for the post-pandemic era, reskilling and upskilling are essential.

Reskilling and upskilling – what’s the difference?

Upskilling simply means providing additional training and development opportunities to someone to help them become better at a job they already perform.

Reskilling, on the other hand, happens when you help someone develop new or additional skills. This is generally done to help prepare them for new roles.

Why is this an important consideration?

Investment in training and development is crucial because:

I. COVID-19 has essentially changed consumer behaviour. As consumer preferences evolve, so does their demand for goods and services. For instance, an increase in online shopping means that an apparel retailer may have to reallocate resources towards areas such as digital marketing and order fulfilment.

II. The pandemic has impacted supply chains both regionally and globally. This has made many companies review and restructure their supply chains.

III. Reliance on technology has increased. Be it eCommerce or remote work, where possible, organizations have gone digital. This change has led to the creation of a number of new roles but has also eliminated some older ones.

IV. Manufacturing is evolving. With smart factories and industry 4.0 technologies, factory floors won’t look the same in the near future. Employees will need to acquire new skills to enable the organizations to take advantage of these technologies.

The upskilling and reskilling process goes beyond individual companies…

There is a need to re-engage, retrain and redeploy talent.

While companies are playing their part, the government and other institutions also have a pivotal role in this process.

The Canadian government has allocated $1.5 billion to provide job-training support to Canadians in industries hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, The University of Toronto and Palette Inc., a national non-profit organization, have formed a partnership to help Canadian workers get access to the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing economy. The focus of this partnership is on upskilling displaced workers.

What’s the way forward?

Organizations cannot be resilient if their workforce isn’t.

The first step towards ensuring that your business stays competitive in an evolved economy is focusing on your employees and addressing their questions or concerns.

To make your workforce future-ready, you have to analyze their transferable skills and identify areas of growth. You will also have to re-evaluate existing training programs and create learning pathways that focus on the skills of tomorrow.

At SHEA Global, we are committed to helping you make the shift and create a broad strategy that can enable you and your employees to embark on a successful upskilling and reskilling journey.

The Age of AI – Leveraging Technology for a Better Retail Experience

SHEA Global Limited — 22/07/2021

As the world becomes more connected and intertwined through digitalization, businesses have expanded their capabilities to keep up with changing trends in operations and consumer behaviour.

This is especially true for the world of retail.

As we have seen and experienced over the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data analytics are rapidly changing the way the retail industry operates.

According to Fortune Business Insights, global artificial intelligence in retail market size is projected to reach $23.32 billion by 2027.

Regardless of where customers want to shop – whether it’s online or in-store – AI is being increasingly adopted as a financial and competitive advantage for retailers to get ahead of the game and capture market share.

Data is Key to Providing a Better Retail Experience

Data provides retailers with a wide range of important information that helps them improve the retail experience for customers.

For example, consumer data can help retailers bridge the gap between their physical stores and e-commerce site.

Walmart has a very comprehensive website that allows customers to easily find products, determine their online or in-store availability, and get their products delivered to their doorstep. Walmart is now exploring AI to gain data that can help with real-time information on product inventory and provide customers with information such as product freshness for their grocery items.

AI Unlocks a New World of CRM

There’s no better way for customers to have an excellent retail experience than to provide them with an engaging and personalized experience.

AI can achieve this.

AI increases successful customer interaction rates because retailers can understand customer shopping patterns and anticipate what customers want before interacting with your brand.

It eliminates the necessity of manual data entry so retail employees can focus on the customers.

AI also centralizes customer databases to capture the entire customer lifecycle in one location. Retailers have easy access to customer interaction information to gain insights, specific data relating to competitors, and ideal use cases to build buyer personas.

AI is the Future of Retail

The future of retail lies in the hands of AI.

As retailers increasingly leverage technology to their advantage, the competitive difference is determined by how effectively they can use AI to build a smarter and more efficient business.

At SHEA Global, we can help you create the right strategy to use technology to your advantage. Whether it’s bridging the gap between your physical stores and e-commerce site, using AI to understand your target audience better, or something more, reach out today for a consultation!

Custom Software vs. Out-of-the-Box: Which is Right for Your Business?

SHEA Global Limited — 06/07/2022

Nowadays, the question isn’t about whether a business should use software solutions, but rather which kind. Thanks to developments in cloud computing and SaaS, there are many out-of-the-box software businesses of all sizes can implement. However, as businesses grow and work to scale at a rapid pace, they may soon find they need custom software to fit their needs.

Here are some points to consider regarding which option is right for your business.

Out-of-the-Box Software

Arguably, the greatest benefit of out-of-the-box software is that implementation is often quick and seamless. Many vendors provide prepackaged software designed to handle most if not all standard processes of specific industries. It is ideal for SMEs looking for a budget-friendly solution that has helped similar, successful companies.

Moreover, the provider often handles updates and other functional tasks, so users don’t need a lot of expertise or an advanced IT team on their end. Partnerships and integrations are also readily available. If a user needs to connect their accounting, ERP, or CRM, this can be achieved with little hassle.

Garter estimates that Cloud Business Process as a Service (BPaaS) will be worth approximately 53,121 million USD in 2022.

The drawback is that there is often limited customization. If your business has unique processes, you may be hard-pressed to find something prepacked that’ll fit your needs. Also, you may find many features don’t apply to your business at all. Finally, while set-up costs are lower, you may find the regular subscription fees becoming costly.

Custom Software

If you’re struggling to find the right out-of-the-box solution, then you may want to build your own. Flexibility is custom software’s greatest advantage. You know exactly what you need, so you also don’t have to deal with features you’ll never use. And because you own the software, you could license it to other businesses as an added revenue stream.

The drawbacks are implementation and start-up costs. On average, a custom software development project can take between four to five months and costs can vary widely from $3,000 to $120,000 depending on scope, timeliness, and developers’ fees. Also, you will have to handle upgrades and other ongoing adjustments.

We Can Help

Whether your business is looking for custom software or an out-of-the-box solution, SHEA has you covered. We can review your business and work with you on implementing our recommendations.

And if you have your eye on some out-of-the-box solution but would like to make some customized tweaks, then you can have your cake and eat it too. We’ll design custom add-ons, apps, and whatever else you need to fill in the blanks.

To learn more about how SHEA can help take your business to the next level, contact us at one of our offices or visit our website.

Year-in-Review: SHEA Global Highlights from 2019

SHEA Global Limited — 23/12/2019

It is hard to believe that 2019 is almost over — what a year it’s been!

The past 12 months signified the first full year of business for SHEA Global, following SHEA Business Solution’s acquisition of TGO Consulting and Ardent Solutions.

As we enter into the new year and new decade, we are looking back at all that has transpired over 2019. Read on for highlights from our year-in-review.

More Solutions for the Fashion and Apparel Industries: K3 Partnership

We were thrilled to partner with K3 this year, a leader in Microsoft technology solutions for the fashion and apparel industries.

Through applications such as K3|pebblestone and SHEA Global’s business excellence expertise, this partnership brings powerful insight and control covering the entire product lifecycle from design to sale.

“K3 supplies outstanding fashion and apparel functionality, which strengthens our capability within this sector,” said SHEA Global CEO Jeffery Hunt “We welcome this alliance with K3 to drive new opportunities and deliver exceptional solutions for our clients.”

Excellence in Action: The Chesterfield Shop

The Chesterfield Shop, a leading furniture retailer, has been committed to excellence for generations and wanted to continue that commitment by leveraging technology to better serve their customers. They chose SHEA Global as their partner in securing success.

We recommended solutions to improve existing sales order, financial management, and reporting processes.

“The operational impact of consolidating systems and automating processing will provide a fast return on investment and moving to the cloud certainly provides peace of mind,” said Miriam Bisol, Controller of The Chesterfield Shop, about the partnership.

SYSPRO Canada Partner of the Year

It was announced that SHEA Global was recognized by SYSPRO Canada as the Partner of the Year for 2018.

The award recognized the partner that has exhibited exceptional performance in sales, customer retention, account growth, and superior knowledge of the complete SYSPRO solution. SHEA earned it in part through helping customers leverage their investment in SYSPRO, and guiding a large customer through its expansion to new lines of business in a short timeframe.

“Jeff Hunt and his team at SHEA Global have made several strategic investments over the past couple of years to grow in the enterprise business space,” said Wayne Slater, Vice President of Channel Sales at SYSPRO Canada, at the time.

“Their increased focus and ongoing contributions to the SYSPRO community resulted in a year of outstanding growth, customer retention and overall superior customer satisfaction.”

DDBRIX Toronto Workshop

In November 2019, we held our inaugural DDBRIX Toronto Workshop — an innovative special event that showcased how to eliminate the pains of planning in a game-like simulation.

Participants experienced the benefits of Lean supply chain management first-hand through a nostalgic medium: LEGO bricks.

Using these bricks, teams formed their own supply chains and used the principles of demand-driven material requirements planning to identify efficiencies and eliminate stress.

See highlights from the workshop: https://sheaglobal.com/ddbrix-event-highlights-november-2019/

DDMRP Pilot Program

Demand-driven material requirements planning (DDMRP) offers huge benefits for businesses but the challenge lies within determining whether it is the right solution for your company without firsthand experience .

In 2019, we formed a program to eliminate any doubts.

The DDMRP Pilot Program allows businesses to discover the unique results and benefits they can recover using DDMRP. Our program greatly improves organizational buy-in and eases the implementation process.

Learn more: https://sheaglobal.com/ddmrp-consultant-pilot-program/

Business Better Awards

In 2019, we launched our Business Better Awards, which recognize corporate culture and individual leadership resulting in deliberate and measurable impacts on the company’s operational performance.

Two businesses received the award this year.

Sepura

Sepura, a recognized global leader in the development and supply of radio terminals, accessories, and applications for TETRA-based mission-critical and business-critical communications, received the Business Better Award in 2019 for Excellence in Process Optimization.

Through implementing innovative procedures for radio licensing, Sepura enhanced its operational performance and significantly reduced lead time for license provision to under a minute.

“SHEA understood Sepura’s need from the outset,” said Michael Hughes, AX Project Manager and System Architect, at Sepura. “Through an iterative process of design, implementation and testing we reached a solution that met all the original objectives. This enables our customers to continue with their programming activity with no delay, allowing them to focus on their vital operations.”

Congratulations on the successful process optimization, Sepura!

Classic Concepts Inc.

Through a partnership with SHEA, Classic Concepts Inc. mapped out and prioritized business process improvement to streamline their processes and better empowered their team in an industry that has traditionally been hard to innovate.

With SHEA’s guidance, Classic Concepts Inc. addressed distribution challenges inherent to home furnishings. The operational team has since been able to gain a better insight into where and how to streamline procurement and fulfillment. This resulted in better staff and customer experiences.

Congratulations to Classic Concepts Inc. on ongoing operational excellence!

Featured Blog Posts

At the beginning of 2019, we launched our brand-new website, and with it an ongoing blog. We regularly share industry news, business tips, and solutions for operational excellence that help achieve Business Better.

Some of our most popular posts from the year include:

See more of our past blog posts: https://sheaglobal.com/blogs/

A Fond Farewell to 2019 and a Warm Welcome to 202

Thank you to all our clients, partners, and friends for your support in 2019. We are so grateful to have had you by our side this past year.

We look forward to the opportunities for collaboration and innovation that 2020 will bring.

From our family to yours, we wish you the very best this season.

Contact us to learn more about SHEA Global’s innovative suite of solutions and strategic consulting for the new year and beyond.

Upskilling and Reskilling Supply Chain Talent for an Evolving Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 21/10/2021

As supply chains evolve, they move from a purely functional system to a global, interconnected network of assets, data, and processes.

For example, the addition of omnichannel distribution and additive manufacturing processes means that workers need to alter and adapt the supply and demand model to increase resiliency.

When industries evolve and change, the skills and requirements of the workforce also need to change to remain aligned with industry and customer needs. That’s where a skills gap is created.

The manufacturing industry has already invested resources and money into upskilling and reskilling their workers.

Workers are being trained on the benefits of Industry 4.0 technologies and smart factories to be prepared to handle streamlined and improved manufacturing processes.

Challenges of Upskilling and Reskilling Supply Chain Talent

One of the biggest challenges for upskilling and reskilling supply chain talent is to prepare the current and emerging workforce for new technologies and breaking the mold of hard, physical labour.

Although supply chains still require manpower and human precision, technology will start to play a greater role.

The second challenge is reskilling the supply chain workforce.

Aligning workers with the collaboration needed between technological processes and physical labour is required to close the skills gap.

In addition, workers need to know how to incorporate technology into their operations, use the technology daily, and make supply chain improvements based on the information and data provided.

How Can Supply Chains Prepare for Upskilling and Reskilling?

By anticipating change and having patience.

Upskilling and reskilling don’t happen overnight. It takes time to develop a training and education strategy that supports the learning process and motivates workers to tackle change.

At SHEA Global, we want to help businesses in the supply chain industry close the skills gap and develop a strategy that optimally leverages technology to streamline operations.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!

Preparing Your Business for a World of Increasing Online Retail

SHEA Global Limited — 20/05/2021

The retail landscape has been changing for a while now.

Even before the pandemic, digitalization and consumer behaviour have gradually become more focused on e-commerce.

In recent years, retail e-commerce revenue in Canada reached $24.5 billion USD.

Retailers that have traditionally been more reliant on physical stores, such as groceries and pharmacies, have heavily adopted a stronger online presence.

What Are Common Security Threats Facing eCommerce?

Cyber attacks have been on the rise since the surge in e-commerce over the past year.

Open-source software is one of the security risks that can occur because it is free to use and easy to modify for different business needs.

However, open-source software can have many vulnerabilities in the code which can cause problems when implemented on your site.

E-skimming is another type of risk that affects the checkout page, which is where customers enter their personal and bank information.

Plugins are another security concern, especially because retailers often use many plugins to customize their e-commerce sites.

Plugins can have malicious intent or can be outdated which makes them vulnerable to malicious content.

How Can Retailers Be More Secure Online?

Using cloud computing can help retailers ensure that their e-commerce sites are cyber secure for customers.

94% of enterprises already use a cloud service.

Cloud computing provides end-to-end data encryption technology to protect the data e-commerce sites send to customers and the personal and banking information that customers provide.

Improving Cybersecurity is Key for Online Retail

Protecting your customers online ensures a good experience with your brand.

Implementing a tool such as Microsoft Azure can provide you with a range of cloud services to help meet your cybersecurity challenges.

Improve Software User Adoption with On-Screen Personalization

SHEA Global Limited — 21/05/2020

Tips and Tricks for Dynamics 365: Personalization

Software such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems can transform a business — if your staff uses them, that is.

Unfortunately, end-user adoption remains a problem for many organizations. Even if the deployment of a new software solution is smooth, it doesn’t always result in end-user adoption.

Human Resource Executive recently wrote about this struggle, with Chris Pinc of Willis Towers Watson stating that, “The idea that, if you just buy it and roll it out, ‘they will come’ is not going to happen unless there’s an effective strategy in place.”

There are steps organizations can take to improve employee buy-in, such as communicating the benefits, user adoption training, and more. However, there is one simple method that is often overlooked:

Personalization.

Personalizing screens, dashboards, and reports increases comfort with a new system, improves user adoption, and more. Read on for the benefits and how to make it work for your organization.

Benefits of Personalizing Screens

While personalization is simple in concept, it can bring many benefits, including:

Increasing user adoption
Saving time — users don’t have to search for what they’re looking for
Improving employee onboarding
Reducing errors — customized screens can decrease shortcuts or makeshift workarounds
And more

For instance, in Microsoft Dynamics 365, users can tailor their screens to their personal preferences. They can make it so that a screen has a similar layout to a familiar past program and shows them exactly what they’re looking for at a glance.

“With personalization, if you can see every data that you want to see in that one screen, as opposed to clicking multiple places, a lot of people get more comfortable with the system,” says Semra Tuzin, Business Consultant at SHEA Global.

Comfort and ease of use play a big factor.

Tuzin has found that people started liking new systems a lot more once they realized they can personalize and add the data they want.

Examples of On-Screen Personalization in Microsoft Dynamics 365

There are many opportunities for on-screen personalization in Microsoft Dynamics 365. For instance, users could:

Personalize orders
Add columns/hide columns
Reorder columns so the information they need is always upfront
Change the width of grids
Create a ledger account alias to find a common combination of accounts

The exact personalization can vary by user and organization — and by pre-existing habits.

A common challenge with transitioning to a new program, Tuzin says, is breaking out of a habit.

“You have to pay attention to every button you click,” she says. Personalizing screens can help mimic the familiar experience.

A recent ERP Focus article noted a similar idea about habit change and user adoption.

“Make the effort to understand ‘resistance,’” the article stated.

“We often assume slower adoption is resistance, but it can also be an indication of different learning curves or approaches to change. Use interviews, observations, focus groups, and surveys to ensure you know where key trip-ups may come and how to support the early adopters, the procrastinators, and the resisters.”

Mass Personalization

Another benefit of Microsoft Dynamics 365 is the ability to share customizations — otherwise known as mass personalization.

“One company personalized their whole screen for sales orders, and everybody liked it,” Tuzin says. They ended up sharing their personalization across the organization.

Through Dynamics 365, users can export the screen and an individual user can either import it for their own use or apply it to the whole company.

This becomes even more helpful for cross-department tasks. Tuzin gave the example of a customer service representative needing to see sales order information. Instead of searching for it, they could just import the personalized sales order screen, which would save time.

How to Personalize

Personalization will look different for every user and every company. Tuzin advises to pick out the customizations that will be the most useful individually and across the organization.

It’s also helpful to have an outside perspective. This type of consultation can save businesses time and effort by finding the most efficient personalization preferences that make the biggest impact.

Have you personalized your screens in Microsoft Dynamics 365 or another software system? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Ask us any questions about screen personalization, onboarding, user adoption, and more at our LIVE Quiz the Wiz web sessions. Our Wiz Panel is answering all of your business questions free of charge. Register today and submit your questions.

At SHEA Global, our business consultants are experts in Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation and provide training during the onboarding process and beyond — including giving personalization tips. Reach out to us for help implementing or leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management – Three Things You Need to Keep in Perspective

SHEA Global Limited — 22/04/2021

99% of OEMs believe that the digital transformation of their supply chains is vital for meeting their organizations’ strategic objectives.

This research from Microsoft shows that digital transformation is high on the priority list for almost all OEMs.

The supply chain is one aspect of your business that is heavily impacted by external factors – case in point: the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you’re looking into strengthening and modernizing your supply chains, here are some of the things you need to keep in consideration:

Cybersecurity

Supply chains are highly interconnected. While this helps move things along faster, it also can increase security risks.

When third-party organizations are a part of your supply chain network, it is possible that they may not have strong enough security protocols in place. This can result in a breach of security and can negatively impact your organization.

Hence, it is always recommended to work together to take security measures and conduct regular cyber risk assessments to detect any potential issues.

Additionally, as your supply chain expands, you may start leveraging solutions for customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP). In this scenario, it is crucial to ensure that these solutions have the necessary safeguards in place to protect your data.

Artificial Intelligence

Research from IBM showed that 46% of supply chain executives anticipated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be one of the greatest areas of investment in digital operations over the next 3 years.

This prediction seems to be holding true as the AI in the supply chain market is projected to reach $21.8 billion by 2027!

AI can help you a lot when it comes to network planning and demand forecasting. AI solutions can process large quantities of data, collected at different locations, to give you accurate forecasts and help manage capacity.

Sophisticated algorithms can take historical data, process it, and enable you to make more informed decisions. This is particularly helpful during uncertain times.

A 360-Degree Approach

Lastly, taking a holistic approach to supply chain management is vital for identifying opportunities and improving the speed-to-market.

The data and information you collect and analyze won’t be helpful until it is integrated into your supply chain solutions and shared across your teams. Once insights are shared you can truly optimize resource planning, adapt to changing business models, and ensure business continuity.

Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, for instance, allows you to do all this. It accelerates innovation, improves agility and enhances delivery by using predictive analytics.

At SHEA Global, we are committed to helping you make your supply chains as agile and secure as possible.

Our innovative approach enables you to find the best solution for your organization and make your Business Better.

Interested in finding out how you can optimize your supply chain? Contact us for a consultation.

Implementing ERP: What Are the Differences Between Cloud-Based and On-Premises ERP?

SHEA Global Limited — 17/03/2022

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software provide a suite of integrated applications that allow an organization to process data from its entire host of operations from inventory to orders, HR department to employees in the field, both B2C and B2B sectors, accounting, and more.

Put simply, ERP software can encompass every facet of a company’s data. Not surprisingly, one study showed ERP implementation led to business process improvement for 95 per cent of businesses.

When implementing ERP, companies have two major options to consider.

On-premise ERP

On-premise ERP software is installed and hosted locally on a company’s in-house computers and servers. Until recently with the onset of cloud computing, on-premise ERP was industry standard.

It’s usually a one-time perpetual license fee where companies make a large upfront investment followed by recurring fees for support, training, and potentially updates, depending on the software. Companies can also build their own custom on-premise ERP according to their needs.

Cloud-based ERP

Cloud-based ERP is hosted on a vendor’s servers and accessed online. Generally, cloud-based ERPs are priced monthly, so the initial costs are lower for smaller companies who don’t have the capital to invest in hardware like servers. One survey found that over 20 per cent of companies are using cloud-based ERP systems.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The immediate advantages for cloud-based ERPs are their scalability. Companies don’t require hefty upfront capital to take advantage of ERP capabilities. Cloud-based vendors also manage updates and bug fixes, which means companies can defer these responsibilities—usually at no additional cost.

Many cloud-based ERPs are out-of-the box and designed for specific industries, making them easy to use and implement. A cloud-based ERP is ideal for companies that don’t need a lot of customization as the software’s configurations are designed to meet the needs of most users in the provider’s targeted industry.

If a company needs a lot of customization, a cloud-based ERP may not be the right solution. On-premise ERP offers complete control of data processes by using your own IT infrastructure. The downside is the company will have to take on costs for hardware, maintenance, and security, so it’s only feasible for companies that can handle that level of upfront investment.

There’s also some concern that hosting sensitive data on the cloud can raise privacy concerns. Because on-premise maximizes customization, companies can optimize their own privacy according to their needs. That being said, cloud computing offers its own sophisticated layers of security. For example, Microsoft Azure offers a broad set of policies, tech, and controls that most companies couldn’t match in-house.

We can help you navigate the differences between on-premise and cloud-based ERP and define the pros and cons of each to help you make a smart business decision for your new ERP. Contact us at https://sheaglobal.com.

Keeping Up with Automotive Demands

SHEA Global Limited — 19/08/2021

Despite a global slowdown in economic and leisure activity over the past year and a half because of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales in retail and other industries have recovered quite well in recent months.

That is, all industries except for automotive.

Overall sales were up 40% year-over-year in April 2021, and the retail industry specifically experienced a 48% increase year-over-year.

However, when diving deeper into the data, it’s clear that the automotive industry played little in that increase.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, global restrictions have forced manufacturing plants to halt operations.

As a result, a shortage of auto parts and semiconductors has made it challenging for the automotive industry to keep up with production and supply.

The effects of the semiconductors shortage have been grave on the entire industry.

Assembly lines stopped, and many dealerships announced they wouldn’t meet their original expected revenue projections.

It doesn’t mean that car shoppers and dealerships are at a lost cause.

There are a few ways auto dealers can mitigate and tackle the challenges brought on by the shortage of semiconductors.

Increased Transparency of Supply and Demand Intelligence

Transparency is one of the key solutions to many supply and demand challenges.

Data, processes, and relationship transparency help make operations more efficient and effective.

It also ensures that auto dealers understand supply issues, changes in demand, and the different segments impacted by unexpected events like parts shortages.

With increased transparency and communication of data, auto dealers can better manage their supply chains, reduce errors, and create better relationships with suppliers and customers.

Improving Resilience and Demand Responsiveness

Resilience is another key solution that can solve many supply issues.

Auto dealers should have an actionable plan in place for responding to unexpected events that can cause sudden supply shortages or demand spikes.

For example, by allocating more resources to regional sourcing and sourcing from different suppliers, auto dealers are less impacted by supply-chain shocks.

Moving Forward

Although the shortage of semiconductors is temporary, there will be other challenges that auto dealers have to weather when it comes to supply and demand.

SHEA Global is dedicated to helping our clients in the auto industry overcome the inefficiencies in their production processes and supply chains.

We provide strategies and solutions that can easily help you improve transparency and resiliency throughout your operations, so you can enjoy better operations, mitigate risks, and spend more time focusing on your customers.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!

Gen Z Leads the Increase of Online Retail

SHEA Global Limited — 14/10/2021

While in-store shopping provides a fun experience that’s hard to replace, there’s no doubt that online retail has become a popular way for all customers to shop.

Whether you need groceries, clothes, furniture, or something else, it’s easy and convenient to place an order online and wait for your packages to arrive.

As consumer preferences change and the way people shop changes, so do consumer demographics.

According to the Canadian Consumer Insights 2020 from PwC, online retailers should pay close attention to the buying behaviours of younger consumers, especially Gen Z customers.

The report shows there’s a 25% gap between Gen Z and baby boomer consumers who buy their products online at least half of the time.

Gen Z consumers are also more likely to use online options such as food delivery apps and meal kit services.

With life returning to normal more and more each day and we get used to how things were before the pandemic, online retailers need to think about how their businesses prepare to bring a pleasant experience for younger consumers.

Here are some considerations for online retailers to adapt well to changing preferences of online retail.

Working from Home

As working from home becomes more permanent to a certain extent, younger consumers are looking at ways they can shop with flexibility, options, and convenience.

As a response, online retailers must put more effort into ensuring that the sales orders are fulfilled, the purchasing process is easy, and customers can get their items quickly.

Transparent Supply Chains

As more people shop online, supply chains efficiency becomes more important.

Online retailers need to improve the transparency of order fulfilment, real-time inventory, transportation times, and warehouse costs to be prepared for an increase in online shopping.

40% of global retail professionals said product delivery enhancements were an initiative to prioritize.

Ensuring optimized delivery routes and on-time delivery of products will improve the customer experience and build more loyal customers.

Moving Forward in Online Retail

The future competition of online retail lies in which retailers can be prepared to anticipate and adapt to changing preferences of online retail, especially gen z shopping trends.

At SHEA Global, we help you assess your online retail business and provide the tools to help you make smarter business decisions, manage your supply chain, and build better customer relationships.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!

Manufacturing Technology: How to Mitigate Downtime

SHEA Global Limited — 08/06/2022

A recent survey revealed more than 80 per cent of manufacturers say there is increasing demand for their products. However, 36 per cent of corporate respondents and 44 per cent of frontline workers say unexpected machine downtime is the biggest impediment to meeting production targets. Fortunately, recent advances in manufacturing technology can help overcome this challenge.

ERP Software

Despite the concerns over unplanned downtime, two-thirds of corporate respondents to the survey said they couldn’t see the real-time condition of their assets across all their sites, while less than half of frontline workers said they had access to information on the cost of machines breakdowns to the company.

Simply put, there are too many manufacturing execs and workers in the dark.

For starters, best-in-class ERP software can enable manufacturers to manage everything from shop floor operations to supply and inventory planning, providing end-to-end visibility. User dashboards, for example, empower employees with the information to act quickly and engineer, source, and make new products, and identify bottlenecks.

Manufacturers are the number users of ERP software, making up nearly half of all ERP users. Two-thirds of manufacturers who implement ERP rate it as successful or very successful. Nearly 30 per cent achieved ROI within a year and almost 60 per cent did so in less than two years. Clearly, many in the industry are eager to take advantage.

Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things

AI and IoT are powerful tools to bolster the digital transformation of your manufacturing technology, particularly when it comes to anticipating machine breakdowns.

More than 80 per cent of manufacturers use labour-intensive preventative maintenance strategies, which often leads to unnecessary work. Further, almost half run to failure, which is even more inefficient. Barely a quarter of manufacturers are deploying AI and IoT for real-time, condition-based predictive maintenance.

Instead of trying to manually interpret historical data to anticipate when a machine might break down, sensors can detect when a machine is actually nearing failure. Moreover, maintenance can be scheduled at the most convenient and cost-effective moment in the production schedule.

Industry 4.0, the automation of traditional industrial practices, has accelerated since the pandemic. A recent study from Google and The Harris Poll surveying over 1,000 companies found that two-thirds of manufacturers that use AI in their daily operations say their reliance on the technology is increasing.

We Know Your Industry

We understand manufacturing technology and we’re ready to help you drive innovation, raise margins, and achieve greater productivity. Our SYSPRO and Microsoft Dynamics AX and 365 solutions streamline and automate your manufacturing processes.

Benefits include:

Insights to drive informed and faster decision-making
Great visibility of end-to-end supply chain
Automation of complex and unique services to deliver reliable output
And more

Mitigating Fraud at Retail

SHEA Global Limited — 13/01/2022

According to Review 42, online shopping frauds grew at a rate of 30% in 2017 – twice as fast as the rate of eCommerce sales. eCommerce frauds increased by 45% in 2017, leading to losses of $57.8 billion across eight big industries.

According to a Juniper Research report, eCommerce retailers are at risk of losing over $20 billion in 2021 due to online fraudulent activities. This loss would represent an 18% increase, compared to $17.5 billion recorded in 2020.

This is because making shopping available online creates even greater verification challenges that retailers need to consider. Ensuring that a customer is who they say they are at the checkout is vitally important, especially with credit card transactions.

But in this day and age having an online presence as a retailer is a must! So how do you manage your online presence and avoid any fraud? For that matter, how do you avoid in-store fraud as well?

Luckily there are tools that can help you navigate these situations and come out on top and fraud-free.

SMART Retail detects abnormal patterns in returns and discounts activity while keeping information confidential with adaptive, unsupervised AI algorithms and connected knowledge about fraud cases. The system also detects anomalies, especially in omnichannel scenarios such as “buy online, return in-store” with knowledge of devices that initiate returns and their locations.

Finally, SMART Retail helps increase operational efficiency by reducing the manual effort required to identify at-risk business entities and functions. As fraud at retail is constantly increasing, this tool is clearly not one that can be ignored.

SMART Retail also offers quick implementation, few customizations and ready-to-go, out-of-the-box features.

You work hard for your business, so you don’t want fraud to rob yourself of your success. SMART Retail can help you avoid such ugly consequences easily, efficiently, and cost-effectively. To learn more about our many solutions ranging from the aerospace industry to high technology, visit us at https://sheaglobal.com.

Making Contactless Payments More Secure Online and In-Store

SHEA Global Limited — 24/06/2021

Contactless payment methods have existed for many years for businesses in all sorts of industries.

People can pay with their debit and credit cards, by scanning QR codes, paying via mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Android Pay, paying via store apps, or more.

With the rise of COVID-19 over the last year, contactless payments have been especially popular as the preferred method of payment as businesses and consumers look for ways to minimize physical interaction as much as possible.

According to Forbes, contactless payment systems have been on the rise since the pandemic started. In fact, 54% of consumers stated they would switch to retailers that provide contactless payments.

However, good contactless payment methods can’t just solve the health and safety concern of consumers, security risks must also be considered.

With Technology, There’s Always a Risk

With convenience comes risks. Like any technology that exists, contactless payments can have mobile security and data privacy risks.

Firstly, there’s no pin required when using contactless payments in-store. Anyone can easily make payments using someone else’s bank card. How can retailers verify customer identity to ensure the bank card belongs to them?

While mobile wallets use near-field communication to transmit data, contactless credit cards use RFID to transmit data from the scanner to the internal payment system. There’s a chance for hackers to create cloned cards with the information from the credit card.

Contactless systems also create data risks because they collect large amounts of data from customers. This information can be used to track customers or can be hacked into and stolen.

Lastly, anytime a mobile app is downloaded, there is always a risk of malware and phishing scams designed to steal sensitive data such as bank account numbers and personal information.

Adding Security Decreases Risks

Organizations need to reduce possible security risks as much as they can for contactless payments.

Adding a multifactor authentication to the transaction can increase the security of each payment. A password, digital signature, or another form of identification can ensure payers are verified and decrease the chance of fraud.

Making sure all transactions are encrypted allows data and sensitive information to be transmitted and stored securely.

Using device-centric cryptography verifies the payment information is coming from a single device and prevents hackers from stealing customer information.

Lastly, following Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council guidelines for payment and privacy allows for a safer payment experience for all customers.

At SHEA Global, we can help retailers conduct assessments of the contactless payment methods offered. Our solutions focus on technologies such as cloud computing to ensure payment transactions and data are securely used and stored. Reach out today for a consultation!

Alignment Between Teams – The Key to Meeting High Performance Expectations

SHEA Global Limited — 02/12/2021

There’s no doubt that an OEM has many teams working together to produce its final product. To meet the high-performance expectations of an OEM, auto-part makers require a tremendous amount of coordination across teams that may not always be the greatest communicators or the most aligned with the production cycle.

These teams therefore rely on high levels of data availability and information accuracy to remain responsive. They also depend on that data and information being timely and relevant so they can have a full picture of what they are dealing with.

With so many teams and people involved in all these interrelated processes, it can be particularly challenging to handle team coordination well. Even just communicating the right information and making sure it is understood and delivered on time is a challenge within itself. How can OEMs manage such complex and diverse teams efficiently and quickly?

SHEA’s SMART Auto is a fully integrated system that includes quality program management, shop floor automation, and machine monitoring all in a single closed feedback loop. This means that there are no more silos, no disconnect points, and everything is inside one ecosystem allowing you to get rid of subterraneous systems.

SMART Auto’s single ecosystem manages everything, including Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and full electronic flow between customers, suppliers, and SHEA. Could you ask for anything more?

SMART Auto optimizes and automates a process that is crucial to the success of any business. It brings an out-of-the-box solution that is very adaptable and easily implemented.

SMART Auto turns your regular employees into superstars by giving them all the tools and information to do their job to perfection. This means improved productivity and a better final product. In turn, this translates to more success and sales.

It’s also a great global solution. Today a car’s parts come from several different countries, are then assembled in different countries, get shipped to different countries, and are sold in different countries. This means that teams must be managed globally.

SMART Auto is particularly equipped for this challenge and can ensure fruitful and efficient communication even in other nations to guarantee that all teams work in unison locally and globally to achieve the results your business wants and needs. To learn more about our many solutions ranging from the aerospace industry to high technology, visit us at https://sheaglobal.com.

Top Challenges Manufacturers Will Face in 2020

SHEA Global Limited — 20/02/2020

As we settle into 2020, the year ahead has many opportunities for the manufacturing industry — but also many challenges.

In 2019, global economic conditions left the manufacturing industry exposed to more risk to business. Ongoing trade conflicts and policy decisions have created disruptions to the global supply chain. More than 50 countries cut interest rates in 2019. Business investments declined. In Canada, business insolvencies increased for the first time in two decades.

With all of this going on, how can manufacturers protect their business and manage risk? Moreover, how can manufacturers find growth and more success?

Despite the challenges, several trends are paving a path forward.

The Deloitte 2020 Manufacturing Industry Outlook recently analyzed key trends for the year that show how manufacturers are preparing for change and taking strategic action.

Here is what they found:

Manufacturers are doubling down on their core portfolio

While diversification can bring rewards, going into 2020 more industrial companies are focusing on “getting their houses into order” through streamlining operations and realigning around key markets or customer segments.

More manufacturing businesses are looking to lean into what they do best and provides the most value for their core customer base. This involves making strategic decisions to drive change.

Manufacturers are building “digital muscle”

The current business climate isn’t turning manufacturers away from digital investment – in fact, it’s highlighting a greater need for it.

As manufacturers seek more tariff-friendly combinations, digital technology allows them to execute precise lead times and customer approvals.

Manufacturers are seeking out more partnerships to build digital capabilities

Business doesn’t work in a silo. Many manufacturers are finding that they need support — to cultivate a strong ecosystem, as Deloitte put it.

Partnerships with suppliers, channels, and customers are driving higher productivity and output and increasing customer retention.

In 2020, more manufacturers may embrace partnerships and joint ventures, rather than outright acquisitions.

Read the full Deloitte 2020 Manufacturing Industry Outlook here: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/energy-resources/us-2020-manufacturing-outlook.pdf

SHEA’s team of experts works with manufacturers to take strategic action. Reach out to us today for a free consultation about how to create business better for 2020 and beyond.

DDMRP: Why Your Purchasing Department Should Be Considering It

SHEA Global Limited — 28/04/2022

The pandemic has truly proven the disruptive potential of unpredictable events. Lockdowns and closures continue to impact global supply chains, highlighting the need for flexible management strategies that can react in real time. Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) provides the manufacturing software needed to thrive in this volatile new normal.

Traditional MRP tries to reduce risk by staging extra “just in case” inventory throughout the supply chain using forecasting formulas, so when potential disruptions occur, buffer inventory can be used. However, there are two problems here. First, carrying extra inventory ties up cash and space, which can be wasteful if these forecasts are inaccurate. Secondly, as the pandemic has shown, unpredictable events are exactly that—unpredictable. They won’t show up in any forecast.

DDMRP improves upon traditional MRP by tracking real-time usage. So, while traditional MRP “pushes” inventory based on forecasted need, DDMRP “pulls” materials based on demand. Put simply, DDMRP is structured around a “position, protect, and pull” methodology.

Key materials are identified at critical positions. Buffer inventory is made available to protect the production schedule. So, when disruptions arise, inventory can be pulled strategically. Unlike traditional MRP, the buffer inventory is not deployed as part of the initial plan. DDMRP uses visual cues to monitor inventory levels and maintain the buffer within a specified range.

As such, DDMRP offers the following four benefits:

Right Inventory at the Right Time

The pull technique ensures the right amount of strategic inventory is maintained, which not only optimizes for space by 30 to 45 per cent but also saves money because stock has less time to become obsolete, both cost-saving benefits. This is especially relevant for perishable items like groceries.

Flexibility to Meet Customer Demands

The visible execution cues provide an intuitive replenishment process that is easy to implement and maintain. Users see real-time priorities instead of working with conflicting forecast models. Traditional MRP can leave businesses flat-footed, trying to catch up with customer demand, whereas DDRMP’s dexterity allows businesses to smoothly adjust to shifting customer requirements.

Streamline Processes

When supply chains and inventories aren’t burdened by unnecessary excess, lead times are improved by as much as 80 per cent, boosting agility and service levels. This will help cut overtime for workers clambering at the last minute to unload materials as well as freeing management to focus on other high-priority projects.

Unpredictability Is a Feature Not a Bug

DDRMP thrives in a volatile environment making it the ideal solution in a post-pandemic world. Resiliency isn’t enough anymore; systems need to be designed such that unpredictability is an asset not a liability. So, while the competition is scrambling to adjust, you’re focusing on tactical goals, like building stronger relationships with suppliers around the world.

Contact us to find out exactly how much a DDMRP solution could save you compared to a traditional MRP system at https://sheaglobal.com.

Future of Work: Global Business Trends 2020

SHEA Global Limited — 09/01/2020

We are officially in a new decade. Over the past 10 years, the global business landscape has dramatically transformed. In 2020, we can expect to see even more innovations that will shape the future of work and beyond.

For businesses, innovation offers many exciting opportunities; however, it can be difficult to know which advancements will be the most beneficial. While the exact answer can vary by organization, we gain much insight by looking at the overall movements shaping modern industry.

Here are the global business trends we predict will be game changers this year:

The Jobs of Tomorrow: Using People and Technology to Bridge the Skills Gap

LinkedIn recently released its Jobs of Tomorrow report for 2020, predicting emerging jobs for the next year. The three areas they emphasized were:

Demand for artificial intelligence (AI) roles – such as cybersecurity specialists and data scientists.
An increased emphasis on remote work, offering flexibility for recruiters and employees.
The need for valuable soft skills, such as communication, creativity, and collaboration — all of which are virtually impossible to automate.

At the same time, many manufacturers have reported skill gap challenges, with potential candidates not possessing the skills needed to perform the role or grow with the company in the future.

Two trends can help bridge this gap in 2020:

a) Reskilling/retraining

One way that businesses might bridge the skills gap in 2020 is through recruiting candidates for potential vs. hard skills, and then retraining. For instance, one software company recruits medical technology professionals and trains them for information technology roles.

Companies may also perform more corporate training to retrain current staff. Harvard Business Review reported that In July 2019, Amazon announced plans to invest $700 million to upskill 100,000 employees.

b) Automating roles where appropriate

Another trend for businesses struggling with a labour shortage is to employ technology to perform skilled roles. For instance, order fulfillment automation is an emerging trend that can fill orders faster with less overhead and resources — plus it limits the need for skilled staff members.

While AI and automation won’t replace the need for humans, in 2020 we expect to see more robust and strategic technology used to bolster the workforce of the future.

Demand-Driven Inventory and Process Optimization

Supply chain innovations abounded in 2019, and it’s predicted that in 2020 more businesses will continue to find improvements.

According to IDC Manufacturing Insights, by the end of 2021, half of all manufacturing supply chains will have invested in supply chain resiliency and AI resulting in productivity improvements of 15%.

Many organizations have reaped the rewards of transforming the manufacturing planning process from traditional to demand-driven. In 2020, we expect to see demand-driven operating models becoming the norm.

Traceability, a critical part of the supply chain process, will take precedence in 2020. According to the World Health Organization, 600 million people suffer food poisoning every year and 420,000 die as a result. In 2020, SYSPRO CIO Kevin Dherman predicts that advanced food tracking and packaging will play a pivotal role in risk detection vs. disaster recovery.

Other notable innovations in supply chain automation have also gained traction in 2019. For instance, Material Handling & Logistics reported that researchers at the University of Washington have used machine learning to develop a system that assesses ergonomic risk for warehouse workers.

In 2020, the use of AI in supply chain and manufacturing processes will only continue to grow.

Global Economic Uncertainty and Consumer Expectations

Globally, the economy is predicted to face some challenges in 2020 – namely trade uncertainty, interest rate changes (such as the recent U.S. Federal Reserve cuts), slowed down global growth, and increased international competition.

At the same time, consumers are also demanding more from businesses — more transparency, more sustainability, and more personalization.

These global trends present challenges for businesses, but also the opportunity to excel.

According to McKinsey’s The State of Fashion 2020, “Brands that can align with the dominant trends and continue to innovate are most likely to ride the challenges and emerge ahead of the pack.”

As competition increases, improving the customer experience and the supply chain process will become increasingly important. Technology should be utilized in the digital transformation journey to help navigate economic uncertainty by finding efficiencies, making more accurate demand forecasts, and promoting agility.

As Strategy+Business put it, “…you can no longer treat investments in these areas as a cost, as you might have in the past — you now need to view these investments as a means to unlock value.”

Technology can also help achieve a better brand reputation, such as through improving production process sustainability and reducing businesses’ carbon footprints by using a demand-driven operating model.

While uncertainty may be coming in 2020, digital solutions are what will help guide businesses through the doubt with big data, predictive analytics, and more efficient workflows.

What global business trends do you think we’ll see in 2020? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Our team of experts helps businesses achieve end-to-end transformation and ongoing optimization. We can help navigate trends in 2020 and beyond. Reach out to us today for a consultation.

Enhancing Team Collaboration Boosts Productivity, Innovation, and Engagement

SHEA Global Limited — 05/03/2020

Effective collaboration is essential to the modern workplace. As organizations are split between different locations, different time zones, and even different languages, successful communication becomes even more important for keeping projects on track and initiatives aligned.

Additionally, growing team collaboration brings other benefits that lead to operational excellence.

Companies that promoted collaborative working were five times as likely to be high performing (Institute of Corporate Productivity)
Even the perception of collaborating on a task can boost performance. Participants who were primed to work together kept with the task 64% longer than those working solo and reported higher engagement levels, lower fatigue, and a higher success rate. (Stanford)

However, many companies still struggle to implement effective collaboration.

86% of 1,400 executives, employees, and educators surveyed noted a lack of collaboration was responsible for failures in the workplace. (Salesforce)
Only 17% of C-suite executives in 2019 said they “regularly collaborate on long-term interdependent work,” down from 38% in 2018. (Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends)

Why does this disconnect happen?

Invisible Barriers To Collaboration

In the first chapter of the book Creativity, Inc., Pixar Animation co-founder Ed Catmull talks about an issue his company encountered in its meeting formats.

Pixar wanted to encourage a collaborative environment and would hold brainstorming meetings in a conference room with a long and skinny rectangular table. The executives would sit at the centre of the table with name cards noting their seats, and other staff members would gradually fill the rest of the table and chairs around the edges of the room.

However, the collaborating wasn’t happening. People were showing up to meetings and the executives were constantly saying they valued input and collaboration, but most of the conversation was happening around the centre of the table, where the leaders sat.

Catmull realized the problem was that they were not living up to their values. He had the long table removed and a more intimate square table brought in and then moved the name cards. The leaders consciously started sitting in other places – not all grouped together – and suddenly, collaboration was happening again.

This story from Pixar illustrates the importance of team collaboration — and how a seemingly small barrier can derail it completely.

Whether it’s a physical block or a cultural one, these roadblocks to collaboration must be addressed.

There are plenty of benefits to team collaboration, but as Pixar found there can also be challenges. However, companies that take the time and effort to address these challenges can reap some real rewards.

Benefits of Team Collaboration

Increase employee engagement and retention

As skilled labour shortages and other challenges affect manufacturers, employee retention is vital.

Effective communication and collaboration is a key part in making sure that staff members feel valued and engaged at work. A recent survey of more than 19,000 people worldwide from ADP Research Institute found that that teams are “the single most significant driver of engagement.”

Employees who reported being part of a team were 2.3 times more likely to describe themselves as “fully engaged.”

According to Harvard Business Review, engaged organizations have double the rate of success compared to less engaged organizations. HBR also found that organizations that scored higher in employee engagement reported 48% fewer safety incidents and 41% fewer patient safety incidents.

As well, if you have teams working remotely, collaboration technology can help facilitate good working relationships.

The State of Remote Work 2020 from Buffer found that while remote work is growing in popularity — and the majority of survey respondents intend to continue working remotely for the rest of their career — communication, collaboration, and loneliness continue to be top challenges for remote workers and remote organizations.

Break down silos

No department works alone, yet many operate that way. A study from Harvard found that 67% of respondents reported siloed organization/lack of collaboration across departments as the top barrier to success in their workplace.

According to Entrepreneur, silos can lead to duplicated work, inefficiencies, misaligned priorities, limited collaboration, and dangerous groupthink.

Chris Fussell, co-author of One Mission: How Leaders Build a Team of Teams and a former Navy SEAL, says silos become a problem when they are too disconnected.

“…information travels too slowly, resulting in a failure to adapt,” said Fussell in a 2017 Inc.com interview. “The trick is to connect the silos together effectively.”

Collaboration tools can help achieve that by prioritizing communication across the organization – not only within a team, but also cross-departmentally.

The Harvard study found that “respondents from organizations prioritizing collaboration were more likely to be growing faster or marching ahead of their competitors than companies whose leaders didn’t favor the practice.”

Videoconferencing, document sharing, remote access, and project management systems along with email and phones all help facilitate organizational collaboration.

Boost efficiency

Traditional meetings take up a lot of time. Sometimes that time is necessary, but in other cases it could be minimized. A 2019 report from Doodle studied 19 million meetings and interviews with more than 6,500 professionals in the U.S., U.K., and Germany.

They found that the cost of poorly organized meetings in 2019 would reach $399 billion in the U.S. and $58 billion in the U.K. Additionally, 44% of those surveyed said that poorly organized meetings don’t leave attendees with enough time to complete their work.

Collaboration tools can help cut down on meetings and boost productivity.

A Forrester study on The Total Economic Impact™ Of Microsoft Teams found that businesses that empowered their employees with the Teams collaboration tool replaced 150 average overnight trips with online meetings by Year 3 of implementation. They also discovered that there was an 18.9% reduction in meetings each week and that 45 minutes per week are saved by first-line workers collaborating with colleagues.

Another issue with meetings — even seemingly effective ones — is that they may not be the best communication style for everyone on your team. In-person sessions typically favour the loudest person in a room. If you have introverts on your staff, they may not feel able to speak up.

This is where technology can really help — by giving everyone a venue to share their thoughts.

Enable innovation

According to PwC, effective collaboration is the key ingredient to making innovation happen.

“The collaborative approach is remarkably effective at building consensus, increasing levels of motivation and participation, pulling teams together, and coaching more junior members,” PwC wrote. “It provides a fertile ground for experimentation, resulting in more innovative results.”

Pixar found this too as it encouraged team members to come up with new ways to continually improve the company, such as its Notes Day when the entire organization took a day to discuss key issues affecting the culture.

NASA also took this approach — Harvard Business Review reported that NASA leaders asked employees to help understand and transform several major barriers to innovation. They received nearly 300 recommendations.

Collaboration can help encourage a culture of feedback and fuel a growth mindset for the long-term.

Team Collaboration Tools To Consider

While Pixar struggled with table design, today’s team collaboration often doesn’t require a table — or even meeting in person.

Technology is making it possible for team members to stay in contact remotely, reducing the need for long meetings, emailing documents back-and-forth, limiting silos, and more. This can help reduce the barriers to collaboration and encourage regular, cross-department communication. It is a great option for teams working in different sites or even different countries.

There are many tools to consider, including video conferencing, chat technology, email/calendar syncing, document sharing, remote access, and more.

When it comes to collaboration tools, implementation is usually simple, however, the training can be a challenge. You want your team to feel comfortable using these tools to their full capabilities.

Finding a team collaboration tool that works for your business is essential. As you weigh options, keep in mind:

Whether it will integrate with your current software
What will be required for implementation
How much training will be needed

Look for software that mimics social tools your teams might already be using, but that integrates with your current software for more efficiency. You may even already have this capability in your current software, but not be taking advantage of it.

If you do have the capability, it’s often a great choice to improve collaboration.

The Forrester study found that information workers save 15 minutes per day and first-line workers five minutes per day by having features and information sources available within Microsoft Teams, rather than switching between apps. The total savings over three years is nearly $4.8 million.

Microsoft Teams integrates seamlessly with Dynamics 365 for document collaboration, file integration, video conferencing, and more. It also has a mobile app so it can be used on-the-go.

SYSPRO Harmony is another high-quality collaboration tool, which integrates with the SYSPRO database. Team members can post and collaborate within the network of the organization using real-time information. Users can query information directly in the chat, such as stock information, sales order statuses, customer information, and so on, as well as share pictures, reference conversations, and reply and like messages that have been posted.

Talk to your VAR about what collaboration tools would work best for your business. They can make recommendations or let you know if the function already exists in your current systems.

How does your organization prioritize team collaboration? Share with us on social media. SHEA Global is on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

At SHEA, we are experts in collaboration tools and can help your organization find the right one to achieve business better. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.

Business Risk Assessment – When Change is Inevitable How do You Prepare for it?

SHEA Global Limited — 11/03/2021

Adaptability is the key to survival.

Technology and global events have created a setting where change is unavoidable. No matter what the size of your business is, you have to continuously look for ways to streamline your processes and improve productivity to stay ahead of the competition.

A well-defined strategy to facilitate transformation and mitigate risk is something that should be on every CIO’s to-do list.

Why should you act now?

There are a number of reasons:

Technology will continue to evolve. With every passing day, there are newer advancements in AI, 5G, Industry 4.0, and more. If you don’t keep up with them, it is quite possible that you end up with legacy systems that are obsolete and inadequate.
Cybersecurity is a real concern. To ensure that your data is secure and protected at all times, you have to invest in putting up-to-date safety protocols in place.
You may also already be having conversations about digital transformation but it’s usually a ‘one-day we will do this’ situation. So, if your transformation programs don’t actually reach the implementation stage, your company may struggle when unforeseen global events happen such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Preparedness is vital. It helps you shift gears quickly and meet the evolving needs of your customers and partners.

What should be the starting point?

You don’t always have to go big when it comes to your digital transformation efforts.

Small steps can actually be quite helpful. Though what you need to have in place before you begin is:

A future-ready business model;
And an organizational culture that is receptive to change and focuses on learning and development.

What are the key pillars of success when it comes to transformation?

It all starts with having a clear plan. When you know what resources, budgets, and solutions will be required, it becomes easier to communicate and build excitement around the process.

Just as important as it is to have a plan, it is vital to communicate it effectively. Two-way communication is important because it helps employees and other stakeholders be a part of the process. Getting inputs and feedback from your teams can help you identify potential roadblocks as well as opportunities!

Why are risk assessments important?

Wherever there is change, there is some amount of risk. Risk is unavoidable in most cases but the way you prepare for it determines how you can manage it.

Business risk and business growth don’t have to be opposites — they can be partners.

Business Application-Risk Assessments are extremely useful because they enable you to identify potential hazards and their consequences for business systems. Companies of all sizes can use them to reduce business risks, create disaster recovery plans, and also purchase support or assurance plans for what they cannot completely control.

At SHEA Global, we are committed to helping you determine what works and what can be tweaked. We can help you navigate the entire process from requirement analysis and solution selection to employee buy-in and implementation.

Demand Planning: Setting Better Buffers with DDMRP to Offset COVID-19 Risk

SHEA Global Limited — 22/10/2020

Global supply chains faced a rather unexpected domino effect this year.

COVID-19 related supply chain disruptions began in China and then spread across the globe as more shutdowns and closures happened – 94% of the Fortune 1000 companies faced supply chain disruptions earlier this year!

Though, the situation was different for every company.

While some faced weakening demand, others saw a jump in sales. While some couldn’t procure raw materials due to shortages others struggled with logistical issues.

This is why effective demand planning is more important in today’s uncertain economic climate than ever.

We’ve previously written about Demand-Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) and why companies should care about it but COVID-19 adds a whole new angle to this story.

Why traditional methods just don’t work anymore…

Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is the traditional approach that many businesses still use. It was effective in the past because products had longer lifecycles and there was little customization.

However, in today’s fast-evolving manufacturing landscape, this approach doesn’t work because it:

Heavily relies on accurate forecasting
Doesn’t support customer-driven reductions to delivery times
Makes it harder to pivot given a change in production requirements
Doesn’t facilitate personalization of products or innovation – both of which are critical aspects for companies today

Effective Supply Chain Management in the Era of COVID-19

This is where Demand-Driven Material Requirements Planning comes in. It is more practical because it relies on demand, not just forecasts – using stock buffers that make supply and demand independent.

It helps you address the three key challenges associated with today’s supply chains – visibility, velocity, and variability.

As demand drives decisions, DDMRP is able to eliminate the pain points of MRP while creating a more flexible supply chain. It allows production planners to use ERP systems to make more informed decisions.

According to a survey from the Institute for Supply Management®, a large number of companies are still expecting moderate to severe impact on supply chain operations, in the fourth quarter of 2020.

With DDMRP, they can reduce lead times, work with multiple suppliers, and still save costs.

This can be seen by looking at results achieved by companies that have implemented DDMRP. The companies saw:

I. Up to 30% improvement in service levels

II. Up to 60% reduction in inventory

III. Up to 70% reduction in work in progress

IV. Over 50% compression of lead times

How Can You Benefit?

DDMRP gives your business better control – which is particularly important in times where the demand is highly volatile and the industry landscape is changing rapidly.

Additionally, when it comes to DDMRP, the implementation is quick and you can see the results in as little as three months. So, you don’t have to wait long to see the difference.

A few months into the pandemic, many companies are realizing that they need a more diverse vendor network to deal with the challenges that COVID-19 poses. This includes looking at sourcing raw material locally and identifying new suppliers closer to home.

DDMRP gives you the flexibility to do this. Additionally, it enables you to ascertain what inventory is required and when, so you are able to make better decisions quicker and with fewer resources.

With COVID-19 affecting the bottom-line, you have to find new avenues of cost savings.

If you end up with extra inventory, you may have to destroy this inventory. This not only adds costs but also means that you’re not sustainably carrying out production activities. This can have far-reaching consequences on both business profitability and customer perceptions.

DDMRP can help avoid these situations.

At SHEA Global, we are supporting businesses across 25 countries, in learning about and implementing DDMRP.

Our innovative approach allows companies to find the best solution for them and help ensure that, in today’s changing environment, companies can make Business Better. Interested in learning more about DDMRP? Contact us for a consultation.

OEM Manufacturing: 2021 in Review

SHEA Global Limited — 24/02/2022

Recent disruptions in supply chains during the pandemic, creating shortages of valuable assets like semiconductors, has highlighted several trends in OEM manufacturing. As we approach the new normal in 2022, here are four core concepts OEM manufacturers need to stay ahead of to remain competitive.

More Software in Vehicles

It is estimated that over four million fewer vehicles were produced in 2021 due to the semiconductor shortage, revealing the industry’s reliance on the computers and software embedded in the modern vehicle.

Features once considered a luxury, like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, are quickly becoming standard. Even low-end vehicles have nearly 100 microprocessor-based electronic control units networked throughout the body, generating 100 million lines of code.

By 2030, it is estimated that half the price of a new car will be attributed to semiconductor-based electronic systems. Trends like autonomous driving, connectivity, electrification, and connectivity will continue to push software capabilities to the forefront for suppliers and OEMs.

Green Future

Executives expect all-electric vehicles (EVs) to reach cost parity with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs) by 2030. The push to develop more eco-friendly vehicles has come from mounting pressure not just from governments but also consumers.

And it’s not just the vehicles themselves that are becoming greener but also the manufacturing process itself. The shift towards EVs is disrupting the traditional assembly production, replacing it with modular production methods where the vehicles stay in place while specialized technicians work on it at different stages of the process. This reduces the space, energy, and labour in the manufacturing process, making it more sustainable.

Blockchain

The pandemic has demonstrated how vulnerable global supply chains can be. Chains are only as strong as their weakest link, so the challenge becomes identifying where those weak links are. Blockchain, a digitally distributed, decentralized, public ledger, brings transparency and accuracy to end-to-end supply chain tracking. An immutable digitalized ledger can record all transactions, tracking assets from production to delivery.

Blockchain technology can also be used to protect autonomous cars from hackers and malware.

Additive Manufacturing

Also known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing (AM) is transforming industrial production by creating lighter and stronger parts and systems. Traditional manufacturing requires removing material through milling, machining, carving, shaping, and other means, while AM uses computer-aided-design (CAD) to add material, layer upon layer, in precise geometric shapes to create an object.

What used to take manufacturers months to create with complicated processes involving molds, jigs, and fixtures, often requiring the support of overseas tooling companies, can now be completed in days onsite and on demand.

AM is a cost-effective way for manufactures to troubleshoot new products and prototypes, making it a soon-to-be fixture in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Contact us at https://sheaglobal.com to find out how Microsoft solutions have integrated breakthrough technologies to drive manufacturing efficiencies and process improvements.

The Future of Remote Work

SHEA Global Limited — 25/03/2021

The idea of working from the office from 9-5, all through the week, might not seem relevant anymore.

The pandemic has changed the way we work – for good.

The president of Global Workplace Analytics estimated that by 2025, about 70% of the workforce will work remotely at least 5 days a month.

Remote Work Does Offer Quite a Few Benefits!

It offers flexibility and reduces the need for employees to commute.

Mercer, an HR and workplace benefits consulting firm, recently surveyed 800 employers to gauge the impact of remote work on the workplace.

It is interesting to note that 94% of the employers surveyed said their company productivity was actually the same or higher than it was before the pandemic.

Additionally, office spaces are expensive to manage. Leasing office space in a central downtown location is a significant overhead and there are additional costs associated with managing the space.

With remote work, businesses have the option to re-evaluate their requirements and reimagine their workspaces.

Though, Remote Work Does Have its Own Challenges.

While working from home is a positive change for many, some employees can find it difficult to balance work and personal life when the lines between the two have been blurred out.

Additionally, you can’t just walk by a colleague’s desk or step away from your desk for a coffee and quick conversation.

This is why companies have to put more effort into amplifying engagement virtually and making sure employees don’t feel isolated.

Another big concern is the need for tighter security.

According to a Cisco survey, 84% of the respondents in Canada reported that cybersecurity has become more important today than before the pandemic.

As employees continue to work remotely, it is critical for organizations to put protocols in place and leverage secure technologies to tackle any potential challenges.

Microsoft, for instance, helps companies stay on top of security, privacy, and compliance as they ‘go remote’. The Microsoft Trust Center outlines all of the security & compliance services provided by Microsoft.

The Hybrid Model

While remote work will continue to grow, it can’t entirely replace workspaces. For many employees, working out of the office is needed as they have to operate machines, have to collaborate with peers, or interact with customers.

Once vaccination efforts ramp up, we feel that we will see more ‘hybrid models’ being put into place – where employees would have the flexibility to work from the office or their homes.

In the future, while employees will have the option to work remotely, they will also have the option to go into the office for in-person meetings such as brainstorming sessions and team-building exercises.

To prepare for this change, companies have to:

Leverage technologies that support collaboration, communication, and productivity.
Put policies, practices, and processes in place to make this new system work seamlessly.
Find ways to preserve and enhance their culture.

At SHEA Global, we partner with you to achieve end-to-end transformation and create hybrid work models that are secure and effective. Reach out to learn more today.

Business Technology – What Automation Means for the Aerospace Industry

SHEA Global Limited — 13/05/2021

Automation has long been an area of interest for many organizations.

According to the International Federation of Robotics, the number of industrial robots worldwide is growing by around 14% annually.

The need for technology to complement high-skilled labour and replace mundane manual work has been on the rise in every industry.

It is reported that 57% of employers want to use automation to improve human performance and productivity.

For manufacturers in the aerospace industry, involving complex and state-of-the-art systems, automation can help reduce backlogs, speed up production, and ensure the quality of production.

However, the aerospace industry has traditionally strayed away from focusing on automation because of the scale and size of an aircraft, the need for unique materials, and the complexity that exists in the production and assembly process.

That’s not to say that aerospace manufacturers can’t benefit from automation:

Efficiency and Productivity – Processes can run 24/7 even when there are no workers on the manufacturing floor.
Better Workplace Safety – Workers no longer need to do hazardous or dangerous tasks such as operating equipment, lifting heavy objects, or performing repetitive motions.
Improved Quality Control – Automation reduces chances of human error and allows for earlier identification of potential issues.

Here are some examples of aerospace automation that are common:

Assembly lines;
Material handling across the warehouse;
Drilling and more.

Boeing Co. is an example of an aerospace manufacturer that used automation by installing a panel assembly to drill holes and install rivets into wings. This helped reduce their scraps by 66% and cut the number of workplace injuries in half.

By implementing automation, and with the help of digitalization and Industry 4.0, manufacturers in the aerospace industry can improve internal processes, optimize real-time data collection, and remain competitive.

At SHEA Global, we have the solutions that can help aerospace organizations looking to automate all or parts of their manufacturing process.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a suite of solutions that can help you.

Dynamics 365 includes integrated ERPs that help streamline business processes, generate accurate pricing, and calculate total manufacturing costs.

It allows for agile manufacturing, better processing of production orders, and accurate planning of supply, demand, and capacity.

To learn more about the line of Dynamics 365 products and how we can help you, contact us today for a consultation!

Why does your business need SMART Auto?

SHEA Global Limited — 27/01/2022

Why does your business need SMART Auto? SHEA SMART is a unique solution for medium-sized retail and automotive organizations based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce and Supply Chain. With a preconfigured solution and an accelerated implementation strategy, businesses and their customers can realize the benefits of a fully integrated solution designed to meet all of today’s challenges faster than ever before.

How Can Businesses Deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience?

SHEA Global Limited — 25/08/2021

Customer relationship management (CRM) is one of the strongest and most important steps in any industry or company.

It’s the process where organizations manage their relationships and interactions with existing and potential customers.

The more you invest into your CRM process, the more rewards you can reap in the form of increased customers, more loyal customers, and increased revenue.

Especially in the retail world, the investments into your customer relationship management are very quickly evident.

When customers choose to shop at your brand, whether it’s in-store or online, they trust that they’ll have a pleasant and informed experience during and after their purchase.

A poor customer experience can result in a bad reputation and less business, regardless of where things went wrong during the customer journey.

But how can businesses ensure they are delivering “the ultimate” customer experience? How do they know if they are giving customers the wow factor?

Here are some of the considerations that retailers should focus on for customer experience.

Order Transparency

It’s no surprise that customers want to be informed of exactly what they are getting from their purchase and when their order is arriving.

Although this is more with online shopping than in-store shopping, transparency throughout the shopping process is important regardless.

Do customers know about any sold-out items in your store? Are they aware of shipping, return, and refund policies? Do they know when their orders will ship or where they can go to find an item that’s out of stock?

Having accurate, easy-to-access information about orders is key for managing customer relationships.

An Omnichannel/Multichannel Shopping Experience

Nowadays, customers what flexibility and options.

If customers found you on social media, they expect to see the same products and services when they visit your physical store.

If customers made a purchase online, they expect to choose how they want to receive their products.

An omnichannel shopping experience truly steals the show when it comes to customer relationships.

It also makes the CRM process smoother and easier as customers already have great experiences with your brand.

Personalization

Your customers expect personalization as much as they want flexibility.

Retailers can adopt personalization online by using customer data to customize search results and product recommendations.

In-stores, retailers can personalize the customer experience by understanding what a customer wants before entering the store and creating an engaging conversation based on their shopping preferences.

How We Help Improve Customer Experiences

At SHEA Global, we understand that a thorough CRM process is vital to gaining loyalty and trust from customers in the evolving global retail market.

We offer many solutions that can help retailers improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their CRM process.

Dynamics 365 for Sales (CRM) is one of these tools. It can help retailers manage the customer engagement lifecycle by gathering customer insights, nurturing sales, creating campaigns, and providing follow-up services.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!

You Can’t Go Online Without First Considering the Omnichannel Experience

SHEA Global Limited — 06/01/2022

If you have a traditional brick-and-mortar store and want to start selling online, you can’t just set up a Shopify account and take off. You must consider many things, like if your inventory will be in a distribution centre; if you’re able to reserve at the store; if you can shop online and pick up in-store, and more.

Moving from a traditional brick-and-motor store to an online shop is a whole different ball game than simply setting up a business at Amazon or Shopify. You need to figure out how or if you’ll replenish a physical store; if your inventory availability is viewable on your website; and if you are going to be truly omnichannel or just multichannel. What is the difference between the two?

A brick-and-mortar store with a website is doing multichannel retail. If you purchase something inside the store and you can only return it inside the store, then that is multichannel retail.

However, say you spotted a product on Facebook, and it led you to an online store where you purchased the product online. Or that when you wanted to change the size of an item you ordered online, you managed to do it inside the brick-and-mortar store. That is the true omnichannel experience.

SMART Retail can provide the right support for both the multichannel and omnichannel experiences, but as seen in our previous blogs, omnichannel is the most profitable. That’s why a smart brick-and-mortar store will consider this option first before going online.

SMART Retail offers a solution for all your omnichannel concerns and questions. SMART Retail is about meeting the customer at every point of their buying journey. Having a brick-and-mortar store, a Facebook page, a website, and being where the customer is. This helps to increase customer satisfaction because you will be able to meet the shopper right where they want, and where it is most convenient and easy for them.

Such an experience requires the brick-and-mortar store to access a lot of data, which needs to be carefully managed as it can exist in separate silos across an entire organization. In the meantime, marketing databases may not be connected with systems able to register choices or preferences. This is where SMART Retail comes into place, allowing all these points to be interconnected and managed properly, creating an ideal omnichannel experience.

SMART Retail is your go-to solution for creating a seamless omnichannel for your customers. The next time you think of going online, think of SMART Retail first. To learn more about our many solutions ranging from the aerospace industry to high technology, visit us at https://sheaglobal.com/

A Changing Business Landscape – Preparing for 2021

SHEA Global Limited — 04/01/2021

Change is the only constant.

What Heraclitus said hundreds of years ago, holds incredibly true today.

The pace of change we are experiencing today is unlike anything we have experienced in recent history. We have to think on our feet to respond to the changes around us or risk being left behind.

To help you navigate through the changes in the economic climate, technology, and consumer behaviours, we have put together a guide for preparing for 2021.

Data Will Reign Supreme

Unlocking data helps in gaining timely insights on customer behaviours which are critical to production planning, supply chain management, and sales activities.

In uncertain times, where many businesses are facing demand fluctuations and evolving customer preferences, data can come to the rescue.

This is particularly true for manufacturing companies. Data coupled with smart technologies can make factories more efficient when it comes to production and more agile in their ability to react to change.

Data can also guide manufacturers on optimal resource allocation by identifying areas of focus such as innovation and product design.

Sustainability is Here to Stay

Sustainability is steadily becoming an important consideration for many consumers across the world. They are making a conscious effort to choose green, ethical, and sustainably produced products.

A recent study from IBM and the National Retail Federation highlights that almost 70% of consumers in the U.S. and Canada feel that it is important for a brand to be sustainable or eco-friendly.

This is why brands are now reimagining their offerings, evaluating the impact of their operations on the environment, and pledging to go carbon neutral.

Microsoft, for instance, announced earlier this year that the brand will be carbon negative by 2030. Additionally, it will also work towards removing all the carbon, from the environment, that it has emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was founded in 1975.

Technology Enablement is Key

Technology enablement has become a necessity in today’s economic climate. Having the ‘right’ systems in place can help increase efficiency, optimize resource allocation, and reduce overall costs.

Integrating technology from end-to-end, from demand planning to retail management, and across departments, from operations and marketing to accounting and HR, can deliver multiple benefits. These include streamlining business activities, identifying efficiencies, and cross-departmental sharing of data.

Working with a strategic partner can help you review different solutions available on the market, such as back-office ERP solutions and customer-facing CRM systems, to create a technology framework that meets your needs.

Omnichannel Presence and E-commerce are the Future

This really doesn’t come as a surprise.

With widespread closures and lockdowns, across the world, online purchases saw an increase in 2020. According to Statistics Ca nada, retail e-commerce sales nearly doubled from February to May 2020 – witnessing an increase of +99.3%.

It’s interesting to see how the concept of retail has evolved this year.

The focus, particularly for brands in the fashion, retail, and F&B sectors, has now shifted to building better relationships with their consumers virtually. This is being done through stronger social media presence, personalization, and omnichannel support.

Many brands, in the B2C space, for instance, have realized that being less formal and more personal can help them better connect with their audiences, during these uncertain times.

So, as we welcome the new year, we need to reimagine our processes and take a critical look at our legacy systems. The world is changing and we have to embrace this change to thrive.

Not sure where to start? Connect with us to explore different solutions that you can leverage to stay competitive in today’s business landscape.

Demand Planning: Setting Better Buffers with DDMRP to Offset COVID-19 Risk

SHEA Global Limited — 22/10/2020

Global supply chains faced a rather unexpected domino effect this year.

Though, the situation was different for every company.

While some faced weakening demand, others saw a jump in sales. While some couldn’t procure raw materials due to shortages others struggled with logistical issues.

This is why effective demand planning is more important in today’s uncertain economic climate than ever.

We’ve previously written about Demand-Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) and why companies should care about it but COVID-19 adds a whole new angle to this story.

Why traditional methods just don’t work anymore…

However, in today’s fast-evolving manufacturing landscape, this approach doesn’t work because it:

Heavily relies on accurate forecasting
Doesn’t support customer-driven reductions to delivery times
Makes it harder to pivot given a change in production requirements
Doesn’t facilitate personalization of products or innovation – both of which are critical aspects for companies today

Effective Supply Chain Management in the Era of COVID-19

It helps you address the three key challenges associated with today’s supply chains – visibility, velocity, and variability.

According to a survey from the Institute for Supply Management®, a large number of companies are still expecting moderate to severe impact on supply chain operations, in the fourth quarter of 2020.

With DDMRP, they can reduce lead times, work with multiple suppliers, and still save costs.

This can be seen by looking at results achieved by companies that have implemented DDMRP. The companies saw:

I. Up to 30% improvement in service levels

II. Up to 60% reduction in inventory

III. Up to 70% reduction in work in progress

IV. Over 50% compression of lead times

How Can You Benefit?

DDMRP gives your business better control – which is particularly important in times where the demand is highly volatile and the industry landscape is changing rapidly.

Additionally, when it comes to DDMRP, the implementation is quick and you can see the results in as little as three months. So, you don’t have to wait long to see the difference.

DDMRP gives you the flexibility to do this. Additionally, it enables you to ascertain what inventory is required and when, so you are able to make better decisions quicker and with fewer resources.

With COVID-19 affecting the bottom-line, you have to find new avenues of cost savings.

DDMRP can help avoid these situations.

At SHEA Global, we are supporting businesses across 25 countries, in learning about and implementing DDMRP.

Digital Payments: How the Pandemic Pushed Electronic Cash Management

SHEA Global Limited — 03/03/2022

One the most immediate impacts of the pandemic was the augmented push towards electronic cash management. In June 2021, Visa polled 5,000 consumers in nine countries and found that nearly 70 per cent said COVID-19 has permanently changed how they pay for things and prefer touchless payment options.

Early in the pandemic, digital payments were strongly encouraged as a safety precaution to reduce contact. As a result, in just eight weeks consumer and business digital adoption leapt five years forward. Perhaps a silver lining of the pandemic, digital payments are improving efficiency and accuracy across multiple sectors, such as logistics and retail.

Digital Invoicing

For example, before the pandemic, the logistics industry was heavily reliant on pen and paper. While nearly 70 per cent of consumer payments were made digitally, 64 per cent of B2B payments were done by check. The average B2B invoice cost $17 and took ten days to process and carried an 18 per cent error rate. The entire lifecycle of a B2B transaction averaged thirty-four days.

In this case, the move to electronic invoice delivery improved the process on both sides of the transaction. Reducing paper invoices, manual data entry, record storage, and touchpoints streamlines the process and cuts down human error. Because electronic invoice payment processes cost 60 per cent less on average than paper, setup costs related are soon recouped.

Payment Gateway Technology

Accommodating the push towards digital payments can be a challenge for smaller retailers and vendors, however there are scalable solutions.

For example, the Square Reader can attach to a user’s phone and be used to accept digital payments at locations like farmer’s markets or food trucks, making it ideal for vendors handling a lot of in-person transactions. Square’s revenue in 2020 jumped to over $9 billion from under $5 billion in 2019.

For e-commerce and web-based businesses, Stripe is a cloud-based payment platform that accepts major credit and debit cards as well as digital wallets. Stripe can integrate with existing e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace. Like Square, Stripe has seen a lot of growth during the pandemic, with its valuation growing from $36 billion in April 2020 to $94 billion in March 2021.

Self-Service

The more payment options vendors present customers, the faster and easier they’ll get paid. Self-service options such as self-checkout, online portals, kiosks, or mobile can save time for customers and vendors while reducing contact.

A recent report found that over 36 per cent of surveyed customers indicated a “major increase” in using self-checkout options, while another 23.5 per cent had minor increase.

However, over 67 per cent expressed frustrations over self-checkouts that didn’t work properly. Over a quarter of respondents said they avoid self-checkouts because of past negative experience, so it’s clear there’s still some work to be done here. A self-checkout solution isn’t viable if it doesn’t provide convenience and speed.

Self-service portals are also a must-have for online shopping. Seventy per cent of customers now expect a company’s website to include a self-service application. Many customers expect a response within four hours to their questions, which isn’t feasible for many companies to respond in-person. Applications like chatbots or a thorough FAQ page can go a long way in helping customers.

We have expertise in digital transformation services and provide leadership and guidance in finding the right technology for your business. Contact us at https://sheaglobal.com to find new efficiencies and opportunities in your business through digital payments options.

Aerospace and Defence – Challenges on the Horizon

SHEA Global Limited — 12/08/2021

It’s safe to say that manufacturers in the aerospace and defence industry have weathered lots of storms.

Manufacturers constantly face technological advancements, government regulations, environmental policies, a growing competitive environment, and supply chain challenges.

As a result, it’s been tough for aerospace and defence industry manufacturers to keep up with productivity, efficiency, profit, supply, and demand.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the major challenges on the horizon for the aerospace and defence industry that manufacturers should consider when planning and improving their future operations and processes.

Implementation of Technology as a Manufacturing Differentiator

To stay on top of the pressures and competitiveness while complying with regulations, manufacturers can implement emerging technologies into their operations.

For example, additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a transformative approach to industrial production.

Not only does it create stronger parts and systems, but it also provides manufacturers with a lot of flexibility in product design.

It can help manufacturers in the industry improve their production efficiency and create many opportunities for raising revenue.

Establishing a More Collaborative Relationship with Suppliers

In a manufacturing process that relies on many specialized parts and assembly lines, the industry involves many complex relationships between distributors, manufacturers, and suppliers.

Developing a mutually beneficial relationship with suppliers can improve the collaborative process, increase efficiency in the supply chain, and create better customer relationships.

As a result, manufacturers in the industry can enjoy cost reductions, improved supply and demand responses, and better procurement processes.

Hiring and Training a New Workforce

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12 million manufacturing employees in the aerospace and defence industry are at least 55 years old.

As the current workforce looks to retire, companies need to hire, train, and upskill a wave of younger employees.

Companies can incorporate emerging technologies, new processes, and other skills to prepare a younger workforce for the evolving industry.

It also helps companies stay competitive and innovative in the increasingly difficult landscape.

How We Help

At SHEA Global, we want to help manufacturing businesses in the competitive aerospace and defence industry develop a strategy to help them stay competitive and profitable.

Regardless of your need to leverage smart manufacturing technology, improved supplier relationships, or training requirements, we have the tools to help you succeed in the industry.

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today!