How SAM Transformed Operations and Boosted Growth with Acumatica Cloud ERP

SAM, the UK’s largest manufacturer of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) mouldings, is a family-run business founded in 1990 by Sam and Julienne McCrea. Known for its strong values of teamwork, integrity, and respect, SAM produces a wide range of products, including skirting boards, architraves, door linings, and stair accessories. 
 

With operations spread across two facilities—a 10-acre site in Antrim and a recently acquired 5-acre facility in Donington—SAM has grown to serve customers across Northern Ireland and the UK.

Despite its success, SAM faced mounting challenges with its legacy ERP system, EFACS. The traditional, on-premises solution wasn’t keeping pace with the company’s expanding operations. 

Sales staff struggled to update orders remotely, often relying on office colleagues to input information, which wasted time and frustrated employees. Worse, the system’s per-seat licensing model meant limited access—when more users tried to log in, the system simply kicked them out.

The Search for a Better System
 

Initially, SAM explored on-premises ERP solutions like SAP and Sage. However, upgrading their outdated infrastructure to support such systems would have required significant investment in servers and hardware. 

Additionally, the licensing costs of traditional systems were restrictive. The company quickly pivoted to evaluating cloud-based solutions.
 

While researching cloud ERPs, Patton discovered Acumatica Cloud ERP. The solution immediately stood out for its cost-effectiveness and flexibility.

Acumatica’s licensing model, based on transactions rather than users, allowed SAM to expand its workforce without worrying about escalating costs. The system’s intuitive design and user-friendly interface also made it a compelling choice.

The Transformation: Implementing Acumatica During a Pandemic
 

In March 2020, SAM made the difficult decision to temporarily close its manufacturing sites following government guidance during the pandemic. While this was a challenging period, the company used the downtime to implement Acumatica Cloud ERP. 

When the government allowed businesses to reopen, SAM was ready to hit the ground running.

With Acumatica in place, SAM’s teams could continue working seamlessly, whether on-site or remotely, ensuring uninterrupted service to their customers.

The Benefits: A New Era of Efficiency and Customer-Centricity
 

Implementing Acumatica Cloud ERP brought transformative benefits across SAM’s operations:

Anywhere Access Enhances Customer Service
 

With Acumatica, SAM’s mobile sales team gained instant, anytime access to critical information. Sales staff could now enter orders remotely, with data appearing in the system within minutes—a significant improvement over the delays they experienced with the old system.

This real-time visibility extended to the production team, allowing them to see daily booking volumes and better plan manufacturing schedules.
 

Streamlined Order Processing
 

Acumatica’s integration capabilities allowed SAM to seamlessly connect sales orders with dispatch and production systems. Adding notes, attaching files, and automating customer notifications further simplified order processing. 

Customers now receive real-time shipment updates, eliminating the need for follow-up calls.
 

Improved Customer Experience
 

SAM’s customer-first approach is at the heart of its success. Acumatica’s flexibility allowed the company to customise features such as customer-specific codes and electronic ordering (EDI). 

These small yet impactful adjustments enhanced customer satisfaction and strengthened relationships.

Real-Time Data for Better Decision-Making
 

Acumatica’s built-in dashboards provided executives with instant access to financial data, production updates, and order statuses. This real-time visibility improved decision-making and enabled accurate forecasting.

The system’s open API also allowed SAM to integrate third-party applications and maintain connections with legacy systems during the transition.
 

Enhanced Security and Peace of Mind
 

Hosting their ERP in the cloud brought SAM robust security and reliable backups, offering peace of mind that critical data was safe.
 

Setting the Stage for Growth
 

As the UK’s construction sector experiences a surge in demand, SAM is riding the wave of growth. With Acumatica, the company is positioned to scale seamlessly. 

Future plans include spinning up a new division for residential home building and developing a customer portal to provide secure, real-time access to order information. Thanks to Acumatica’s flexibility, these initiatives can be executed without incurring additional licensing costs.

For SAM, Acumatica has been more than just a software upgrade—it’s been a foundation for transformation. The company’s newfound agility, improved efficiency, and enhanced customer service demonstrate the power of a modern ERP system.

Are you ready to modernise your business and set the stage for growth like SAM? 

At AcuPower, we specialise in empowering businesses with seamless ERP solutions as a trusted Acumatica reseller and development partner. Whether it’s end-to-end implementations, customisations, integrations, or bespoke solutions, we fine-tune Acumatica to perfectly align with your unique business needs.
 

With a team of 60 Acumatica experts and a proven track record, we’re equipped to guide you through every step of your ERP journey. From introductory calls to personalised demos, we ensure you understand exactly how Acumatica can transform your business. 

Beyond implementation, we offer comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure your team is equipped for long-term success.

Let AcuPower be your trusted partner in unlocking the full potential of Acumatica Cloud ERP. Contact us today to begin your ERP journey toward streamlined operations and sustainable growth.

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