Shannon Global Energy Solutions Develops Robust Enterprise Resource Planning System with the Help of IT Solutions

Shannon Global Energy Solutions (formerly Shannon Enterprises of W.N.Y. Inc.) and its sister company Shannon INSULTECH® engineer and manufacture products such as blanket insulation, insulation jackets, and insulation covers in the United States and Europe for customers around the globe. With Shannon’s unified computer automated design/computer numerical control/enterprise resource planning (CAD/CNC/ERP) approach from design through manufacturing, the company is the world leader for reusable and removable insulation with facilities in the U.S. and Europe. Shannon’s strong market position and “technology forward” approach led management to seek ways to optimize its capabilities further.

When Shannon Global decided to streamline its operations by investing in an in-house Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, management knew they did not want a “cookie-cutter” solution. Instead, they wanted to develop a targeted, specialized solution specific to the company’s standards and commitment to quality.

• Management wanted to fully automate as many business processes as possible.
• They also wanted to enhance the sales module and quoting system.
• The solution needed to support new features to facilitate business operations and be flexible to enable future customizations that would adapt the platform to Shannon personnel’s needs.

Shannon leadership connected with experts at IT Solutions, who recommended Claris FileMaker as a flexible, highly tailorable solution for the firm’s new ERP system. The global company’s requirements were varied and extensive, but IT Solutions’ FileMaker experts were confident they could meet the firm’s needs. After working closely with Shannon staff and management, IT Solutions exceeded Shannon’s stated goals.

• Implementing the ERP system has enabled Shannon to enhance its sales module and quoting system significantly. The new system supports up to 300 field inputs for sales orders, further enriching visibility into every sale. The implementation also enabled integrating and interlinking multiple part numbers, finding part numbers, and tagging parts to speed up quoting processes, resulting in a flawless sales process.
• The ERP system has provided extensive support for ongoing reporting requirements. This has enabled Shannon to change its FileMaker reporting logic as needed to follow the methodology of the new enterprise operating system (EOS) that the firm implemented.
• The system has streamlined communication and operations as it supports other business functions, including planning, quality assurance and control, and accounting.
• In addition to the value of the ERP system build out, the deployment has enabled Shannon to achieve business process automation.

IT Solutions’ implementation has enabled the FileMaker ERP platform to evolve with Shannon despite an ever-changing business environment. The solution’s superior capabilities expedite information retrieval, making data access more accessible and faster. Furthermore, increased efficiencies and improved communication ensure Shannon customers experience an efficient sales process.

• As Shannon continues its growth trajectory, the customized FileMaker implementation will help the firm ensure continued uniformity with vital data like part numbers and descriptions.
• IT Solutions’ FileMaker implementation is enabling Shannon to implement data governance, further promoting data standardization, which reduces duplications and streamlines business processes.

In short, the ERP platform enables all staff to “be on the same page” — uniform access to work orders, specifications, and other elements to ensure a smooth flow from design to production. This outcome has had a direct, positive impact on company profitability and efficiency.

“The developers provided suggestions on how to do things better and more efficiently,” says Joe Lauria, Chief Operations Officer of Shannon Global Energy Solutions. “We explain how we want the solution to work, and they continue to provide suggestions on how to implement it. It’s a very collaborative process.”