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"TEC's solutions, which include research comparison reports selection tools
consulting services are driven by its powerful analysis engine, eBestMatch.TEC also provide a selection of Case study."
Source: Technology Evaluation
Centers
Case Study: How Flakeboard Aligned Its Multisite Organization by Applying
TEC's Evaluation and Selection Methodology
Evaluation and Selection Methodology is also known as :
Evaluation Methodology,
Selection Methodology,
Evaluation Selection Methodology,
Software Selection,
Evaluation and Selection Criteria,
Evaluation and Selection Process,
Evaluation and Selection Project,
Complete Evaluation and Selection,
ERP Evaluation,
Software Evaluation,
Software Test Methodology,
Software Evaluation Forms,
Software Evaluation Reports,
Software Evaluation Template,
Software Evaluation Checklist,
Software Evaluation Criteria,
Business Evaluation Software,
Performance Evaluation Software,
Supplier Evaluation,
Performance Evaluation,
Strategy Evaluation,
Template Evaluation,
Technology Evaluation,
Extending Evaluation and Selection.
Company Background
Flakeboard is the largest manufacturer
of particleboard and medium-density
fiberboard panels in North America.
Since 1960, Flakeboard has focused
on growth within the composite panel
industry and on the formation of a
highly integrated business model
through constant reinvestment and
optimization. The company has grown
from a pilot plant designed to showcase
panel manufacturing equipment, to
a multisite, world-scale producer of
composite wood products.
Challenges: Scalability, Integration, and Centralization
Flakeboard needed a centralized, flexible, and scalable system that would easily
integrate with disparate IT systems in global regions, while fulfilling the unique needs
of the companies it was acquiring. A signiicant portion of its growth is attributable to the
acquisition of several new facilities, which also meant acquiring and integrating disparate
IT environments.
A project team was assembled to assess all Flakeboard site locations, systems,
and needs in order to provide the best solution. The project involved evaluating the
existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to determine if it could adequately
support and integrate with the multiple systems already installed in the newly acquired
companies. Once the evaluation was complete, the team needed to decide between
upgrading and implementing a new system.
The new system would also have to integrate with Maximo, an enterprise asset
management (EAM) application installed in Flakeboard's US mills and mandated to
play a continued role in their strategic vision.
"Our current ERP system could not communicate effectively with the different systems
in the other facilities. We needed to replace it for operational efficiency," said Mike
Anstey, IT manager, Flakeboard.
Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) and Flakeboard worked together to shape the
evaluation and selection project into a comparison between best-of-breed technology
and integrated systems. "We needed a better understanding of the ERP systems
available to us," said Bob Lloyd, manager of business and logistic solutions at
Flakeboard, "to efficiently narrow our choices down to the top four contenders."
Solution: Reducing the Costs, Risks, and Time
Associated with Software Selection
The initial phases of Flakeboard's extended evaluation and selection project involved
collecting high-level, prioritized requirements from each business unit. As the project
progressed, TEC's methodology offered a means to build consensus amongst the
different facilities, while making each feel that its needs were well represented
throughout the decision-making process.
By taking advantage of a standardized (RFP) template customized
for Flakeboard's specific requirements and integrated with TEC's decision model and
support engine, eBestMatch, Flakeboard's project team was able to analyze software
according to its priorities. The team also used the "what if" scenario capabilities
provided by the engine, which made it possible to evaluate solutions based on current
and future needs.
TEC's analysts played an essential role in Flakeboard's requirement-gathering process,
providing valuable guidance and training. "We worked closely with Flakeboard to help
create an RFP template that was customized to their specific requirements," said
Denis Rousseau, director of project delivery at TEC, "and supported them throughout
the process of developing the categories necessary to accommodate a two-pronged
evaluation of best-of-breed and integrated solutions."
Benefits: Best-it Software Selected Using TEC Methodology
Flakeboard realized key benefits by using an impartial third party throughout the
software evaluation and selection process. Flakeboard is currently implementing
a scalable, viable system that integrates seamlessly with all of its facilities and IT
systems. The new solution meets its existing needs and will support future growth and
strategic acquisitions.
"After evaluating our shortlist of vendors, we decided to go with Epicor's Vantage
product," said Bob Lloyd, "It was a detailed yet efficient exercise to work through the
process, but we were confident this system most effectively aligned with our facilities'
business activities, while providing the flexibility required for continued growth."
Another beneit TEC provided was the objectivity and guidance it offered during the
vendor pre-screen process. This gave both Flakeboard and its shortlist of potential
vendors the clarity to make informed decisions, saving time and associated costs.
For instance, one vendor actually pulled out when it realized the project involved
customization needs that its resources were simply insuficient to fulfill. Had the
relationship progressed, it would have been costly for both parties, since such
mismatches only become apparent later, during implementation.
"While every technology deployment comes with its own unique set of challenges, the
TEC process was more eficient both from a cost and time perspective," commented
Bob Lloyd. "We would highly recommend Technology Evaluation Centers' services
and methodologies to other companies looking to simplify a complex process."
Flakeboard is currently implementing its new system.
"The TEC evaluation and selection
methodology proved more costeffective
and helped us more clearly
identify a best-it vendor solution, when
compared with other current methods."
Bob Lloyd
Manager, Business , Logistic Solutions
About Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC):
TEC is a leading provider of research and decision support technology designed to help
businesses evaluate and select the software solutions that best it their particular needs.
Its mission is to reduce the costs, risks, and time associated with software selection and
implementation. Decision-makers from around the world come to TEC when they want
to make informed decisions, rapidly and cost-effectively.
For more information, please visit
www.technologyevaluation.com/services/tec-solutions"
or contact
Leona Patlik, Project Sales Coordinator
E-mail: projectsales@technologyevaluation.com
Tel: 514-954-3665, ext. 244