Challenges
Ace Adhesives has been a client of CK Systems for over 20 years. Long before this new software project began, we had been delivering technical support for their Pegasus Opera accounting solution on a day-to-day basis. Our partnership strengthened even further when the team at Ace asked for our help to develop a new software tool to replace its existing formulation software which was a key component in their manufacturing planning and decisions.
As a specialist glue manufacturer, Ace Adhesives relied heavily on its formulation software as a vital bank of quite specific and highly classified recipe information. As the program was installed on a very old computer running an old operating system, there were concerns over its reliability and system security. This was further exacerbated by the individual who had designed and written the software no longer being available, meaning the team at Ace had no form of technical support for this vital piece of software.
We proposed a new, bespoke solution that would deliver the security and support that Ace Adhesives required and we also improved the older version with several enhancements to help better inform production decisions.
Solution
We wrote the new software application from scratch by working closely with the Ace Adhesives team ensuring that we took the time to understand all the current processes, end user requirements and complicated calculations. As the Ace Adhesives team is not IT technically minded, we allowed for an open conversation centred on the outcomes they wanted to achieve and this approach enabled us to propose features that would answer their real day-to-day needs.
As well as building a robust store for its confidential formulations, we introduced a number of enhancements that were improvements on the old system.
Such enhancements included the option to issue manufacturing instructions directly to production, including health and safety and packaging information. Ace Adhesives can also now fully trace the formulation history which enables them to manage version control and identify any associated risks, something that they did not have in the old system and had to resort to their paper-based systems.
Throughout the implementation, we worked with the client’s production team to test the software, find glitches and fix them in a timely manner. This close collaboration with open lines of communication allowed us to remove friction during implementation and keep the process moving forward steadily at a pace that was comfortable for both the client and the CK Systems development team.
Result
With its new bespoke software, Ace Adhesives has gained better visibility and control over its raw materials and allowing them to reduce waste in their production process.
This software is pivotal to Ace Adhesives’ daily operations, and we continue to offer ongoing support to minimise disruption from technical issues.
We continue to meet with the team to review the software, incorporate technology upgrades and adapt it to their changing needs as and when required. There is now a roadmap to link the formulation software with Ace Adhesives’ accounting software, Pegasus Opera, to create seamless internal processes.
About Ace Adhesives
Ace was established in 1986 by two people with a genuine passion for the adhesive industry. With two adhesive manufacturing sites and a third distribution warehouse they are well placed to serve the whole of the UK quickly and efficiently. Their UK and European labs regularly develop new products and work closely with commercial glue manufacturers to make sure they are up do date with the latest machinery and production techniques.
“There are plenty of things to worry about each day, but thanks to CK Systems our accounting software is not one of them!”