KYDEX, LLC Gains Faster, Easier Access to Key Information and Analysis
Commentary by George Sanchez, Director of Information Technology, KYDEX, LLC
KYDEX is a worldwide leader in specialty
thermoplastic sheet manufacturing, with
the unique ability to produce custom
products in an extensive array of color
and texture combinations for applications
requiring high performance and regulatory
compliance. With its lean manufacturing,
formulation, and technical expertise, KYDEX
has established a proven track record of
delivering consistent, high-quality products
in accelerated time frames.
Time for a Change
Prior to deploying Birst, KYDEX relied on a
text-based ERP system for sales operations
reports. After exporting data from the
system, IT employees spent valuable time
using spreadsheets to perform additional
calculations related to each period’s billings
and bookings. These static reports were
distributed to decision makers, who then
had to contact IT if they needed additional
analysis. When the company decided
to change ERP systems, it seemed an
opportune time to implement a business
intelligence (BI) solution as well.
“To create daily sales reports, we were
exporting information from our ERP system,
manually performing additional calculations,
and then distributing the reports via e-mail. It
was a very time-consuming process,” said
George Sanchez, director of information
technology for KYDEX. “We needed a BI
solution that could provide basic reporting,
as well as advanced analysis to help with
forecasting and planning. And we needed all
of that to be easily accessible by business
users in real time, through online dashboards.”
A Low-Risk, Fully Functional Solution
KYDEX also required that its new BI solution
be affordable and quick and easy to deploy.
“We wanted something with minimal up-front
costs in case it didn’t work as expected or
people didn’t use it,” said Sanchez. “Given
those requirements, we started looking for
a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution and
decided to evaluate Birst when an executive
from another company recommended it.”
“We chose Birst because it offers a
low-risk, cost-effective way to quickly
implement and easily maintain a
comprehensive BI solution.” —George Sanchez, Director of Information Technology, KYDEX
After comparing several on-demand
solutions, KYDEX selected Birst because
of its SaaS technology, as well as its wide
breadth of functionality and extensive
self-service capabilities. These capabilities
include a highly intuitive, Web-based user
interface and ad hoc reporting and analysis,
accessible via dashboards.
“We chose Birst because it offers a low-risk,
cost-effective way to quickly implement
and easily maintain a comprehensive BI
solution,” said Sanchez. “With Birst’s
SaaS technology, we don’t have to worry
about installing extensive infrastructure
or entirely new versions of the application
when updates come along. Birst handles
all of that for us, and also provides the full
functionality we need.”
Increased Insight Improves
Business Results
Now, using Birst, KYDEX employees can
make more informed decisions with direct
access to dynamic, online dashboards that
provide up-to-the-minute sales-, finance-,
and operations-related information, at various
levels of detail. And because Birst has
eliminated the need for manual calculations,
the KYDEX IT team is able to repurpose the
time it spent creating spreadsheets.
With Birst, KYDEX is able to easily view and
compare each period’s billings and bookings
and analyze sales trends based on a variety
of different factors, including color or market
segment. “We’re always looking for ways
to proactively provide our customers with
the products and colors they need,” said
Sanchez. “When Birst reports that sales
of a certain color class are on the rise, we
know that’s where designs are headed
and can ensure that we’re stocking the
right colors and providing customers with
brochures and sample sets that will wow
them. Because of Birst, we know what our
customers want before they know what they
want.” By observing sales trends, KYDEX
is also able to better target marketing and
sales efforts, and more accurately predict
future sales performance when developing
budgets and sales plans.
Leveraging the ability to easily create
additional reports within Birst, KYDEX plans
to extend its deployment by developing key
performance indicator (KPI) dashboards for
all aspects of its business. “Birst is providing
us with valuable information and analysis
that’s helping to enhance our performance,”
Sanchez said. “By creating these KPIs
and monitoring them through Birst, we’re
extending that insight into all areas of our
business so that we can continue to better
understand—and improve—our results.”