22 October 2008

Catalyst will have the ability to track parts across its operations

Catalyst Manufacturing Services has chosen to use Microsoft Dynamics NAV to keep on top of surging orders and to roll out Internet-based functionality for suppliers and customers.

Catalyst Manufacturing Services, a contract electronics manufacturer with operations in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, Endicott, New York, and Mexico, has selected Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 to manage its complex business and fuel future growth. The company is implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV across Catalyst’s facilities with the help of Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Western Computer. NAV will replace an existing MAPICS enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

“Microsoft Dynamics NAV enables us to run our operations with far greater precision and puts us in the driving seat to go after business opportunities,” said Mary Roberts, chief financial officer at Catalyst, which caters to companies in the military, aerospace and medical markets. “Its capabilities will allow us to take Catalyst to the next stage in its development.”

Microsoft Dynamics NAV enables us to run our operations with far greater precision and puts us in the driving seat to go after business opportunities

Mary Roberts, chief financial officer Catalyst chose Microsoft Dynamics NAV over solutions from Oracle, EPICOR Software and Made2Manage following a rigorous eight-month evaluation process. Catalyst executives were taken with the low learning curve its employees, already fluent in Microsoft Office, face in getting up and running with Microsoft Dynamics NAV. The solution is seamlessly integrated with Office and features an almost identical user interface, so end users can get up to speed with minimal training.

Catalyst is implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV as the cornerstone of a comprehensive refresh of its IT infrastructure that includes deploying a new datacentre running Microsoft SQL Server 2008, with which Microsoft Dynamics NAV is natively integrated. The open standards-based solution is also fully interoperable with the Mechanical Execution System (MES) Catalyst is rolling out to machine staff on the factory floor to capture data at the point of manufacture. This data will be fed back into Microsoft Dynamics NAV to enrich and inform decision-making.

The ability to track parts, right down to their individual serial number and vendor of origin, across its operations will enable Catalyst to ensure its data integrity is of the highest order. This is something Catalyst’s existing solution could not accomplish and an imperative for the firm’s medicine and aerospace clients, which have strict requirements. Executives anticipate that the capability will give Catalyst a powerful competitive differentiator and be especially useful in instances where individual components are subject to recalls, allowing employees to quickly comply with edicts from customers and suppliers.

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