Exide Canada is a manufacturer of automotive batteries. They are the largest after-market supplier of batteries in Canada, with approximately 60% market share. Exide is a nationwide enterprise with a manufacturing facility and distribution centre in Maple, Ontario and a western distribution centre in Calgary. In addition, they have 15 localized branch offices connected to their distribution centres. 

OUR EXPERTISE: 

Our work with Exide Canada demonstrates our capability of Extending Software – adapting standardized software and creating customer-specific functions. 

THE CHALLENGE:

Exide Canada had recently purchased CMS/400 (Canadian Manufacturing Systems) software to replace System 36 software they’d developed themselves. The standardized CMS software worked well for the actual manufacturing of batteries, but could not properly control some of the unique distribution aspects of Exide’s business. What was required was a DRP system that could incorporate CMS ordering, inventory and forecasting information and accurately determine quantities of batteries to be shipped from the plant to the distribution centres. There were also several ‘niche’ industry functions that needed to be added to Exide’s IT operations. These included: calculation of warranties, core-charges based on weight, and specialized rebate and pricing structures. 

AIMSOFT SOLUTIONS:

Because of our extensive experience with CMS software, we were able to develop DRP (Distribution Resource Planning) functionality outside the existing CMS software, without jeopardizing the integrity of the CMS software. Our specialized software solution was tightly integrated with the essential ordering, inventory and sales forecasting data obtained through CMS. Then we gave them ‘extended’ distribution control within their enterprise.

We also ‘extended’ Exide’s CMS software in other ways, specific to the battery industry. We enabled their access to useful information about such things as: lead factor, acid factor, voltage and scrap. We were also able to develop financial applications unique to Exide – an invoicing module that included pricing, warranty considerations and discount calculation. 

THE RESULTS: 

• Exide Canada’s investment in CMS Software was vastly enhanced though the addition of applications unique to Exide’s operations

• Exide’s head office was able to more precisely determine manufacturing and shipping requirement for the Distribution Centres

• Using the same information, Exide’s Distribution Centres could more closely control battery shipments to branches

• Exide attained efficiencies and economies through new, more reliable production information

• Exide’s customers appreciated a more controlled invoicing structure