Dennen Steel Finds the Solution for its Unique Business Processes
Company Size
1,000+
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009
- RF-SMART
Tech Stack
- ERP
- Automated Data Collection (ADC)
- Handheld Devices
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Customer Satisfaction
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Functions
- Quality Assurance
- Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases
- Inventory Management
- Process Control & Optimization
Services
- System Integration
- Training
About The Customer
Dennen Steel Corp. is a steel assembly, welding, and stamping manufacturer based in the United States. Founded in 1947 by two brothers from Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company initially focused on buying and selling scrap steel from World War II. Over the years, Dennen Steel has significantly expanded its operations, adding various manufacturing processes such as stamping, welding, and assembly. The company has also grown its geographic presence by opening manufacturing centers across the country, including locations in Burns Harbor, Indiana, and Iuka, Mississippi. With a focus on integrating its operations into a seamless supply chain, Dennen Steel aims to enhance visibility and data collection to support its business growth.
The Challenge
As Dennen Steel expanded its operations and added new manufacturing processes, the company faced significant challenges in integrating its operations into a seamless supply chain. The lack of visibility and limited data collection capabilities were major issues that needed to be addressed. The company recognized the need for an ERP and Automated Data Collection (ADC) solution to support its evolving business needs. The existing manual processes for inventory management and production tracking were inefficient and prone to errors, leading to inaccuracies and delays in operations.
The Solution
To address its challenges, Dennen Steel implemented Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 as its ERP system and selected RF-SMART for Automated Data Collection (ADC). The decision was based on RF-SMART's certification with Dynamics AX and its proven integration capabilities. The implementation began in February 2011, and RF-SMART was able to meet the business needs of the manufacturing company from the start. One of the first areas to benefit from the implementation was the receiving department. With RF-SMART's ADC workflows, receiving personnel could enter inventory data using handheld devices, providing immediate updates and improving visibility. The solution also enhanced the company's ability to track production operations and finished goods in real-time, eliminating the need for manual tag writing and reducing errors. Additionally, RF-SMART's workflows were customized to handle specific processes like slitting, allowing for individual identification of co-products. The implementation led to significant productivity improvements and streamlined inventory management processes.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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