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Software
Syspro: Flexible, open architecture optimizes an IT investment
September 20, 2012 by Syspro
The Company: Camille Cotran founded Densigraphix in 1979 in Montreal, Que., when he saw an opportunity to provide copier dealers with a lower cost alternative to OEM electrostatic copy paper. As the company’s dealer base migrated to selling and servicing the first generation of Japanese plain paper copiers, Densigraphix introduced generic toner to lower the cost per copy and increase the dealers’ profits. In 1989, Densigraphix saw the potential of the fledgling laser cartridge remanufacturing business. Ten years later, Densigraphix acquired Sel-Drum Corporation, a company that targeted the same customer base as Densigraphix, but focused on replacement copier parts such as drums, blades and fuser rollers. With the acquisition, Densigraphix has given its customers the ability to one-stop shop for both toners and copier parts.
The Challenge: In today’s increasingly rapid and competitive business environment, the ability to communicate and share relevant information across the entire enterprise, as well as up and down the supply chain, is critical to satisfy a demanding marketplace. To achieve this goal requires an ERP system with a flexible, open architecture. Densigraphix chose to leverage the open architecture of the Syspro ERP system to refine and extend its business processes to sharpen its competitive edge.
The Strategy: Densigraphix implemented Syspro Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Syspro’s open architecture leverages Microsoft.NET component architecture and XML standards to deliver “e.net solutions,” an open communication framework that provides users with a standardized method for directly accessing Syspro’s business functionality. Through the use of business objects, in-house applications can be created to enhance, simplify and extend Syspro functionality onto websites, into warehouses and on to the shop floor. Since business objects use the core system’s security, third party developers are relieved of the burden of duplicating Syspro security settings in their external applications. Furthermore, since business objects are separate from Syspro source code, external applications will continue to work after upgrades to future versions of Syspro.
The Results: B2B integration facilitates the transformation and exchange of information between Syspro ERP and other applications, including legacy systems. Densigraphix’s partners and customers can order, query and update their information, regardless of the conversion requirements and data formats used. “Our Internet applications write orders to Syspro using business objects,” says Cotran. “That enables us to quickly establish and manage Internet relationships with other organizations. It also makes it possible for us to automate document interchange effortlessly.”
Using business objects and Syspro, Densigraphix has taken advantage of an open architecture to optimize its IT investment. “For many businesses, Syspro ERP works right out of the box, but for companies that are actively involved in refining their business processes, Syspro’s focus on flexibility and integration can open up a world of opportunity,” Cotran says.
A version of this case study ran as part of the 2012 Software Case Study Guide in the September 2012 issue of Manufacturing AUTOMATION.
