BAE's Military and Air Information division consolidates seven Electronic Warfare Receiver Pods (ERPs) into a single solution.
Freshened Article:
Moving multiple business applications, including seven ERP systems, under one unified platform has been a significant undertaking for BAE Systems' Military Air & Information (MAI) division. As John Booth, the project lead, puts it, "Having seven ERP applications is, without a doubt, not the best place to be."
The customization of these systems posed a challenge, as each had been tailored to fit the division's unique needs. This personalization meant that upgrades couldn't be easily implemented, and whenever they were, the customizations had to be paid for again.
Beyond the ERP platforms, MAI also managed a whole ecosystem of supplementary applications, from project management tools to e-procurement systems, each tied to a specific ERP platform.
Booth is currently spearheading the project to migrate MAI's core operating processes onto a single, standardized ERP platform—Infor LN. The decision to Opt for Infor LN was driven by its compatibility with existing operating processes and the ease of adding supplementary apps like asset management and project management with Infor's ION integration platform.
MAI's new motto is a simple one: "We are taking Infor LN vanilla." Booth explains that while they can influence the Infor LN product roadmap as a significant customer, they aim to avoid overly customizing the application to minimize long-term complications.
Convincing users to let go of their customized solutions has proven to be tricky. "On any change programme," Booth says, "your first immediate reaction is resistance. So I've had to do a lot of selling." However, the project has the support of departmental directors who understand the inefficiencies associated with the current set-up.
With a team of 100 people working on the project, many of whom hail from the business units, MAI is now preparing for a phased rollout of the new system, starting with manufacturing units, followed by supply chain teams.
For more insights, check out:* Babcock Marine moves to single ERP instance. Pay-as-you-go ERP underpins Michelin's services strategy.
Enrichment Data Adapted:
- Merging multiple ERP platforms can address data inconsistencies, streamline processes, and enhance decision-making.
- Customization and data fragmentation can lead to costly upgrades, making it difficult to adapt to new technology or business needs.
- Implementing a unified platform like Infor LN can provide operational efficiency, automation, and cost control, while reducing the risk of errors and enhancing customer experience.
- Successful implementation requires careful planning, user adoption strategies, and coordination between business units and IT teams.
- The migration of business operations at BAE Systems' Military Air & Information (MAI) division to a unified platform, such as Infor LN, is not just about technology; it's also a strategic move to streamline finance & business processes and reduce costs associated with maintaining customized ERP systems.
- As John Booth, the project lead, aims to minimize long-term complications by adopting Infor LN's standardized platform, he also recognizes the need for technology integration to encompass supplementary applications like asset management and project management, thereby ensuring that MAI's business processes remain competitive in the modern, technologically-driven world.
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