Cognos Analytic Applications, Metrics Manager, & Enterprise Planning raise the roof at MUELLER, INC.
“We were able to
analyze data in ways we could never imagine.”
Mark
Lack,
Planning and Financial Analysis Manager
Company Overview
The business began three quarters of a century ago
when Walter Mueller opened the Mueller Sheet Metal
Company in Ballinger, Texas. Mr. Mueller built the
family business by providing quality water cisterns
crafted from sheet metal to local farmers and
ranchers.
In 1984, the Davenport Family acquired Mueller
Supply Company from the Mueller brothers. Since that
time Mueller, Inc. has undergone rapid expansion
becoming a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered
metal building and residential metal roofing
products.
Today, Mueller, Inc. serves the Central and
Southwest U.S. markets from 3
manufacturing/distribution locations, 21 retail
outlets, employing 500 people, while continuing in
its heritage of directly serving the end user with
quality metal building products.
Mueller is a customer-focused company that values
growth and the opportunities for advancement it
generates. While maintaining a strong financial
base, Mueller is committed to continuing its
long-term growth rate of doubling in size every five
years.
Challenges Faced
Under the executive guidance of Bryan Davenport,
Philip Arp, CFO and Mark Lack, Planning and
Financial Analysis Manager, had spent several years
developing and refining a true Balance Scorecard.
Together they had led the company in a process of
identifying key performance indicators in the areas
of finance, customers, internal processes, and
learning and growth. Their metrics dependencies were
studied and process maps created to reflect their
leading and lagging characteristics.
After developing the metrics and gaining buy-in from
Mueller personnel the next challenge they faced was
extracting and disseminating the information in a
timely yet cost-effective manner. A robust solution
that could be implemented quickly was needed because
the scorecard was critical to communicate Mueller’s
business strategy. Maintaining scorecard
implementation momentum was crucial.
The Solution
On February 29th, 2004, Mueller chose to purchase
the full suite of Cognos Analytical Applications, as
well as the Cognos reporting tools. Four months
later, Mueller signed a consulting agreement with
CD
Group. CD Group’s combined knowledge of the Cognos
Analytical Applications and
JD Edwards EnterpriseOne were key
to being selected.
The first phase of the project was the
implementation of the Sales and GL applications. The
combination of these two modules, with one key
customization enabled better than expected analysis
as well as access to the core metrics needed in the
Balanced Scorecard.
In early 2005, Mueller is fine tuning the Sales and
GL modules and automating the balanced scorecard
using Metrics Manager. Later in 2005, Mueller will
implement the Production, Inventory, and
Manufacturing Analytical Apps.
Benefits Realized
Through the implementation of Sales and General
Ledger, Mueller has gained:
-
Faster access to information
(getting information in 3 minutes rather than in
3-4 days)
-
Faster access to standard
reports
-
Ability to conduct thorough
project pricing analysis
-
Tools to evaluate target
market strategy and success
-
Knowledge to implement future
applications
Through the partnership of Cognos,
CD Group, and the client project team, Mueller is
well on its way to becoming a state of the art
implementation of Corporate Performance Management
tools and processes.
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