Cation & Company Consulting works with a broad spectrum of clients across a diverse range of industries. From local dairy producers to international leaders in the manufacture of telecommunication cables, we listen to each client’s unique needs and concerns to help them design and implement their JD Edwards solutions. Here are just a few of the companies we have helped to realize their goals. Oil & Natural Gas Producer
The Client: One of the largest independent producers of Oil and Natural Gas in Canada.
The Challenge: Our client, a user of JD Edwards 8.0 had to find a replacement on short notice for their departing Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Application Support resource.
The Solution: They engaged us to provide EAM Application Support for a 3-month project pending the hiring of a full-time replacement. Our consultant helped maintain the continuity of EAM use by the business and became an integral part of the EAM Support Team. She was subsequently promoted to Interim Support Team Lead and the engagement was extended a further four months.
The Result: This project helped the business get a great start on continuous review of maintenance processes to leverage greater value from their JDE solutions.
Energy Provider
The Client: A national provider of portable fuels, equipment and services.
The Challenge: To upgrade from Oracle/JD Edwards World A7.3 to EnterpriseOne 8.12 Financial, Order Management, Supply Management and Maintenance applications while also extending the use of E1, improving business processes, and adapting E1 to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) requirements affecting the 2010 fiscal year. The client had faced considerable challenges in obtaining user acceptance of revised business processes which had resulted in missed E1 project deadlines and significant turnover in external consulting staff.
The Solution: After terminating two prior E1 financial consultants, the client engaged us to configure, test and train users on E1 Financial programs (General Accounting, Accounts Payable and Fixed Assets) and provide guidance in the conversion of Fixed Assets to IFRS requirements. We gained the respect of financial staff and worked with them to complete the implementation of E1 Financial applications according to the client’s revised project plan. We devised a simple conversion approach using multiple ledgers in E1 Fixed Assets to maintain separate costs and depreciation values for over 300,000 assets that met both IFRS and GAAP requirements.
The Result: In a difficult situation, we restored calm and confidence to the finance team. Where other consultants failed, we were able to help get the project back on track and completed according to the client’s plan. Our recommendation for IFRS conversion saved the client substantial time and cost.
Construction Company
The Client: One of the most diversified conglomerates in North America, offering expertise in Commercial Building, Heavy Civil, Industrial, Mining, Pipeline and Telecommunications.
The Challenge: The client, a user of JD Edwards 8.0 was upgrading to version 8.12. Their objective was to implement the new system with as little disruption to business processes and current functionality as possible.
The Solution: Subcontracting to another Oracle Partner, our Enterprise Asset Management consultant was able to provide the client with an understanding of the net changes between 8.0 and 8.12 functionality while assessing how current customizations could be eliminated using the new features of the system, helping to build a roadmap for future improvement. Our consultant played a strong role in developing end-user training documentation through the use of the Oracle User Productivity Kit (UPK) tool.
The Result: The client was able to implement 8.12 in a short timeframe with very little post implementation follow-up support required.
Specialty Paper Manufacturer
The Client: A historic leader in the specialty paper industry.
The Challenge: As the result of an acquisition and privatization, our client had to purchase and implement new systems in less than four months! We were challenged with the task of completing the implementation of maintenance and related applications – a project that can take over six months – in just three months!
The Solution: Our client selected JD Edwards EnterpriseOne 8.11 to replace the seller’s existing applications. Our consultant led the implementation of E1 Maintenance Management modules, focusing on preventive and predictive maintenance, workflow and control, stores/procurement integration and KPIs.
The Result: Not only was the project completed on time and on budget, it was – and remains – one of the fastest full implementations of JD Edwards E1 Enterprise Asset Management software that we know of. Our client’s success was written up in Paper 360 magazine.
Forestry Products Manufacturer
The Client: A world leader in the manufacture of Oriented Strand Board.
The Challenge: As a start-up division in a remote location, our client was struggling with the task of hiring staff with JD Edwards experience and training those lacking experience. After several unsuccessful attempts to implement the JD Edwards World Plant and Equipment Management module, the client realized that they needed to standardize their maintenance practices and make JDE easier to use.
The Solution: Management decided to upgrade to JD Edwards EnterpriseOne 8.10 (including Financials, Enterprise Asset Management, Purchasing, and MRO Stores) to address their needs, and trusted Cation & Company to make it work. With our guidance the project team selected and documented the company’s best practices processes. We configured E1 to streamline their operations in accordance with their new processes. The project team members solidified their E1 knowledge, increasing their division’s ongoing business success by delivering E1 end-user training.
The Result: Users found E1 8.10 and its standardized business processes to be more user-friendly, intuitive and manageable. Everything ran on schedule, despite a last-minute expansion of project scope.
Global Chemical Manufacturer
The Client: A global leader in the chemical products and services industry, serving industrial customers.
The Challenge: Our client wanted a quick start “pilot” implementation of JD Edwards E1 software solution that could be used as a template for roll-out to seven additional plants. Their objective was to minimize project costs by reducing external consulting involvement. They recognized that a standard configuration would allow them to roll-out E1 to other plants using their internal project team.
The Solution: The client selected JD Edwards EnterpriseOne 8.10 Financial, Supplier Management and Capital Asset Management applications. They engaged Cation & Company to configure EAM modules for the pilot plant project and to develop the project plan for the subsequent roll-outs to the remaining plants. We started by developing a JD Edwards design blueprint for Enterprise Asset Management applications based on Maintenance Best Practices As a next step, we configured E1 to deliver on best practices and subsequently tested, delivered E1 training and assisted with data conversion.
The Result: With an extensive focus on training and by keeping the project plan simple, we helped our clients meet their goal. They now had a blueprint to successfully roll-out JD Edwards EnterpriseOne 8.10 Enterprise Asset Management to the remaining plants effectively and independently.
Consumer Packaged Goods Manufacturer
The Client: A well-established regional manufacturer and distributor of dairy products.
The Challenge: Our client – a competent user of JD Edwards World A7.3 financial, distribution and manufacturing applications – wanted to implement World Plant & Equipment maintenance operations at a minimal cost. They approached one of the large international consulting firms to complete a small pilot project for a small production line... the quote they got back was well over 6 figures!
The Solution: Cation & Company was happy to help do the pilot project plan within the client’s budget. Initially, we worked with the client every other week to minimize costs, but were soon afforded a full-time commitment for more ambitious results. This additional time allowed us to work intensively with the client to ensure they had the knowledge to confidently and effectively rollout World Maintenance Applications on their own.
The Result: Not only was the client’s project delivered on-time and under budget (less than 6 figures), but our consultants trained their team to independently roll out their maintenance setup to other branch locations. Our client completed their roll-out, met their cost goals and realized their anticipated efficiencies in maintenance operations. Since they achieved their goals, we achieved ours.
Industrial Goods Manufacturer
The Client: A world leader in the manufacture of communication networks – cables and connectors.
The Challenge: The client was growing rapidly – internally and through acquisitions – and as a result, owned and managed multiple ERP software programs. They were in need of a single ERP software package that could deliver advanced functionality and facilitate the setup of new business as new plants were acquired. These plants needed to be unified on a common system infrastructure that was both diverse and user-friendly.
The Solution: The client decided to standardize all their operations on JD Edwards and upgrade to E1. They needed the flexibility and functionality of JDE to seamlessly integrate new business acquisitions. As an alternative to implementing the traditional module, we implemented E1 using parts of the Service Management module because it would more easily integrate with future software updates. It was important for us to consider what will work best for our clients in the long-term.
The Result: With our guidance and assistance with design, configuration and training, the project was completed on time and on budget. The new maintenance configuration could now be quickly extended to additional plants with minimal effort. More importantly, the approach meant there was reduced effort required in the case of an upgrade to new JD Edwards releases, resulting in lower upgrade costs down the road.
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