Noralta Technologies – Transforming Inventory to Fuel Growth with SAP Business One

SAP Business One Combines Functionality with User Friendliness

Noralta researched the software used by its customers and their suppliers, some of which were growing at Noralta’s pace. “Over and over we encountered the SAP Business One application,” reports Ross. “After looking into its functionality, we knew it would help us re-architect and simplify our processes. And with its user friendliness, we knew our managers could use it.”

For implementation, Noralta engaged ProjectLine Solutions Inc., a firm with substantial experience with SAP Business One. Using its well-established practices, ProjectLine went live on schedule and within budget in three months.

Faster, More Complete Information Enables Better Decisions

With its entire inventory finally on one screen, Noralta scoured its records, resolved conflicting item names, and shaved many steps out of inventory management – saving time and making records more current and trustworthy. “Full visibility corporate-wide lets us make better inventory management decisions,” says Ross. “As a result, we’re saving 20% of the carrying costs of our inventory, which run about US$2 million at any one time.”

Noralta renovated its financials practices to reduce general ledger accounts from 12,000 to 600, simplifying accounting and improving confidence in financial records. The firm sped up month-end and year-end closing, which now culminate with a 10-minute final closing function that used to take four hours. Overall ledger records had been nine months out of date, but now the firm has closed the gap to three months and is on track to reach its goal of one month. Fine-grained information such as cost of sales on a per-truck basis is now available for the first time.

Managers who relied on out-of-date paper reports now use strong reporting tools to view the data they need in seconds on their own SAP Business One screens. New users find the software inviting and straightforward to learn, swelling the base of licensed users to 24.

Growth Continues Without Concern for Business Processes

With its revised processes, Noralta smoothly absorbed the Calgary location and is continuing its rapid growth. “We have two new locations in the plan, but this time there’s no concern about our processes for incorporating them,” Ross concludes. “We’re also doing bigger jobs than ever, and to help manage them, we’re considering the next step in our partnership with SAP – job-costing software.”