Alexander Comley Ltd, a leading Midlands based manufacturer and stockholder of stainless steel, duplex and high nickel alloy flanges, pipes and fittings, has recently celebrated ‘go-live’ following one of the UK’s fastest implementations of Microsoft Dynamics™ AX with Syscom PLC. This comprehensive business management solution will enable Alexander Comley to improve business intelligence, increase efficiency and enhance company-wide collaboration.
Established in 1920, Alexander Comley is a well-known brand name with a blue chip customer base and a reputation for excellent service and products. Supplying the oil, gas, process plant and power generation sectors, Alexander Comley couples the latest machining equipment with expertise gained over extensive years of trading to deliver high quality products within short timeframes. “We supply standard and nonstandard items to suit customers’ requirements,” says Chris Bourne-Hallett, Managing Director of Alexander Comley Limited. “This niche, value-added element to our service, as well as our focus on developing excellent customer relationships, has been key to our success.”
Having outgrown their inflexible accounting package, Alexander Comley reviewed the software market for an integrated enterprise resource planning ERP system with the functionality and flexibility to support their growing business both now and in the future. “We wanted something that would allow us to easily extract and analyse the business data that matters to us,” says Chris, “as well as capture the wealth of information that is held across the company within a single system to enhance collaborative working. It is vital that the system encompasses the entire organisation for efficient sharing of information and to minimise duplication of efforts, plus incorporates the benefits of our existing stock system.”
After evaluating several software systems Alexander Comley found that only Microsoft Dynamics AX provided the right fit for its business. “It will give us fantastic visibility into the entire organisation and facilitate the traceability we need to comply with stringent industry regulations, without needing complicated and expensive ‘work-arounds’ to meet our requirements.”
Microsoft Gold Partner Syscom PLC, selected due to its proven industry expertise, has carried out a structured initial implementation in under seven weeks, alongside setting up and maintaining Alexander Comley’s IT network through Syscom Managed Services. “Everyone is feeling the impact of the current economic climate,” says John Moses, Managing Director of Syscom PLC. “However, many companies are realising that now is the time to invest in the right software. Companies with vision, like Alexander Comley Ltd, see the importance of taking advantage of this relatively quiet period. Streamlining their operations now ensures they will be ahead of the game when the upturn comes.”
“For us this is absolutely the right time to invest in software that will provide a foundation for growth,” says Chris. “Our continuous investment in technology to support our experienced workforce, alongside our understanding of customers’ requirements, allows us to continue providing market leading turnaround times and helps differentiates us from our competitors."