npower selects Maxima’s MAXcel as their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution of choice for SPI, its energy services business.
Background:
SPI, part of npower’s Energy Services directorate, is one of the largest mechanical and electrical building services companies in the country, providing services to local authorities, housing associations, main contractors as well as a variety of consultants and private commercial and industrial clients.
The Customer Need:
Contract administration for installations had been a challenge for SPI due to the reliance on manual record management using spreadsheets and continued growth within the business. Further intelligence was not being captured centrally and for the most part sat with key staff.
In addition, SPI were looking for an ERP solution which was easy to use, functionally rich and had a proven industry track record. More specifically SPI required robust functionality to address:
- Financial reporting
- Contract management specific to the service and maintenance industry
- A rapid development environment
The Maxima Solution:
Maxima proposed MAXcel, powered by Microsoft Dynamics® AX for the Construction and Service Industry to address SPI’s requirements. MAXcel is a Maxima developed solution which has gained significant recognition and success in this industry.
MAXcel is a scaleable, reliable ERP solution that provides up to the minute, adaptable management information, critical for businesses that are poised for growth and diversification. The solution reduces manual effort and speeds up the order-to-cash cycle whilst providing greater financial control and visibility of project and service performance and profitability.
The diagram below highlights the core modules delivered as part of Microsoft Dynamics AX and the additional industry specific modules that make up the MAXcel solution.
MAXcel is fully integrated with the Microsoft suite offering SPI maximum flexibility and alignment with their Microsoft strategy taking advantage of tools such as Microsoft® Windows® SharePoint®, Microsoft Reporting Services and Microsoft Office.
Why Maxima?:
Maxima have over 20 years of industry expertise delivering world class systems and services to construction and service maintenance clients within this sector. Maxima are also a certified partner for leading enterprise software vendors including SAP & Oracle.
Maxima Gold Partner Status with Microsoft is enhanced by the achievements:
- In 2008 Maxima were nominated to the Microsoft President’s Club placing Maxima in the top 5% of Microsoft Dynamics Partners worldwide.
- Maxima has passed the Lionbridge Veritest Product Certification process confirming that Maxima developments conform to Microsoft Development standards.
- Maxima committed to and attained the HMRC CIS accreditation and is approved for the electronic Government Gateway.
- Maxima have also customised Microsoft Dynamics CRM for the Construction Industry, specifically to meet the project-based business development needs of contractors, consultants, building products and plant hire companies.
The MAXcel advantage and real Return on Investment:
MAXcel is able to deliver on measurable efficiency indicators. The MAXcel promise is an improvement in gross margin in the range 1% to 3%. This is achieved in the following ways:
- Improvement in the quality and traceability of valuations and applications at property level minimising re-keying errors and reducing incidents of queries and disputes.
- Transparency of materials pricing and improvement in materials management.
- Billing and invoicing improvements due to tighter control in field and contractor management.
- An integrated system allows for enhanced collaboration both off and onsite resulting in improvements in resource utilisation.
- Contract win rate due to enhanced agility to fulfil on contract requirements faster with deeper accessible and relevant information.
- Customer service enhanced by integrated and electronic relationship management.
- Robust record management making for effective contract reviews as well as improved supervision, control and monitoring of projects.
About SPI:
SPI npower is the specialist mechanical and electrical installation and maintenance services business within npower's energy services division. SPI works primarily in the social housing, public building, and commercial sector, delivering mechanical and electrical services for Local Housing Authorities and Housing Associations, in public buildings (such as schools and libraries), and in commercial buildings. www.spi-ltd.co.uk
