ERP Re-Implementation for a Multinational Manufacturing Client

A manufacturing client required project management support to re-implement IFS ERP system to eliminate extensive customization.

The Challenge

The client implemented the ERP system IFS in 2016. In 2020, four years post-implementation, the Client’s pain points included:

  • Only utilizing 50% of the purchased IFS functionality
  • Only utilizing ~50% of the customizations implemented in 2016
  • Experiencing downtime associated with ‘core code customizations’
  • Unable to leverage new developments released by IFS due to heavy customizations. Operating on IFS version installed in 2016.
  • High resistance and nervousness from the business to start any new initiative on IFS

Client Project Objectives

  • Eliminate 50+ Core Code Customizations and help the business transition to standard IFS functionality
  • One-year timeline to transfer IFS functionality currently utilized by the business in IFS APPS 8 to the latest version IFS APPS 10
  • Manage budget

Mantrax Project Objectives

  • Deliver Client Objectives without the project taxing the Client’s day-to-day operations
  • Client’s business team (NOT the Project Team) to lead decisions on processes. Project Team to present options on how to leverage Standard IFS Functionality.
  • Deliver a positive and seamless project experience for the Client Project Team and the impacted Client stakeholders.

Services Provided

What We Did

Mantrax helped select an IFS partner through a methodological selection process including RFQ cadence, vendor interviews, customer referrals and pilot projects with short listed vendors. 

Mantrax worked with the IFS consulting partner and internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to structure the gap analysis between current IFS version and targeted IFS functionality. Barrday’s goal was to transition to standard IFS functionality, as a result, it was important to structure the gap analysis in a manner that highlighted technical, functional, business process and change management tasks necessary to support the full implementation.

Mantrax worked with Barrday to assess current and future state internal IFS capability and capacity requirements. To help fill gaps in capacity and capability, Mantrax developed and managed the full recruitment and onboarding process to strengthen the internal IFS team and to prepare for re-implementation.

Mantrax provided tactical day-to-day project management services to help drive objectives to completion. Project management services included standard project services, as well as team member coaching and active risk management to help ensure project timelines were achieved. 

As part of the project management services, Mantrax managed all external vendors directly to align on project objectives, to structure weekly work plans and to manage the overall project budget. 

Results

100% Elimination of Core Code Customization

50% Reduction in Project Resource Allocation

100% of Project Scope Delivered

$200,000 Annual Savings in Operating Expenses

Tools We Used

Full Stack Development

Strategy

Implementation Consulting

Read the full Case Study to see how Mantrax helped Barrday re-implement IFS and shift to standard IFS functionality.  The keys to project success were strategic project design, regular mentorship for team members and day-to-day tactical project management.

Every company and project is unique, as a result, at Mantrax we focus on developing a unique project strategy and practical hands-on support to help clients reach objectives on time, on budget and without unwanted chaos.

Download the full case study to read additional client testimonials and for details on the project results.

Assess

Decide on the new technology stack which was best suited for their business

Plan

Create a list of all database objects (tables, stored procedures, user-defined functions) which needed to be migrated

Develop

Have a senior developer work on this project – one who knew the PHP framework as well as the new framework chosen for this application (Angular / Express JS)

Build

Rebuild the application one screen at a time (to get a realistic estimate of time and effort remaining). In parallel, migrate the database objects to a newer supported platform

Maintain

Maintain the current production application to ensure business continuity