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MIS keeps graphics provider in the fast lane
Alongside its nationwide vehicle wrapping application service, Fenn Graphics specialises in producing vehicle livery for commercial vehicles, public transport, advertising and promotion. This means the company's production facility is home to a range of manual and semi auto screen printing machines, plus high resolution Nur Fresco and Mimaki wide format digital inkjet printers, used to produce vehicle livery graphics on a range of vinyl substrates, which are cut to shape using computer aided plotter/cutters.
A comprehensive management information system supplied by Shuttleworth keeps the business running smoothly, with modules for template estimating, sales order processing, costing, invoicing, data flow, CRM and accounts access.
Estimating the amount of raw material required to cover a commercial vehicle and calculating the time it will take to produce the livery is a complex process, made easier by the Shuttleworth Estimating module.
Before an accurate quote can be produced, Fenn must first produce a visual representation of the job. Fenn graphics studio maintains a comprehensive image library of vehicle templates for every type of commercial and public transport vehicle. They superimpose the customer's graphics onto a template of the desired vehicle to ensure that the design fits the vehicle specification and doesn't interfere with door handles and windows. The visual is then approved by the customer before the job is quoted.
Right first time
Factors affecting price include the size and number of vehicles, the type of material used and the complexity of the graphics. In creating an estimate, job planning is generated for the process.
Managing director, Tony Herod, explained: "A great deal of care is taken in the planning to ensure we get it right first time. It would be very costly to re print a job due to a miscalculation because the adhesive vinyls we use are expensive. In a competitive market, it is essential to know exactly what it costs to make the livery in order to make an informed decision on pricing."
Shuttleworth's DataFlow module is a recent addition to the Fenn MIS, used to collect accurate shop floor data. Tony Herod continued: "DataFlow was up, running and making a difference within days. It has alleviated the need for physical job tickets, removing a time consuming manual process. If there is one module that guarantees an almost instant return on investment it's DataFlow."
Record, analyse, improve
The customer relationship module (CRM) module is another addition, enhancing Fenn's account management. Tony Herod said: "We use the events facility in the CRM to record all non conformances as part of our QA programme. We review every query or complaint that gets logged, even if it was the customer's error, to see if we can further improve our processes."
Clearly Fenn Graphics has made good use of its software tools to build a business at the forefront of its chosen market. It has established a track record for quality and reliability and has a customer portfolio which includes Sky, RAC Auto Windscreens, B&Q, Staples and Asda.
Tony Herod concluded: "Our MIS really works for us. Of course we use it for the obvious things such as making sure that jobs are produced on time, but we also use it to record and analyse information to facilitate continuous improvement. That's why we survive in this competitive market and that's why we employ the Shuttleworth management information system."
