When EQI needed to optimize their warehouse operations quickly, they turned to RSM to implement the NetSuite Warehouse Management System.
Opportunities to grow revenue and strengthen business processes can emerge at any time. Nevertheless, the window of opportunity is often tiny, and having the right insight and resources is critical for success.
Headquartered in Spring Lake, Michigan, EQI delivers comprehensive supply chain solutions for line-ready metal components in the industrial equipment market. When a customer wanted EQI to manage additional inventory at their Berea, Kentucky, warehouse, the proposed timeline was rapid. Despite this challenge, EQI stakeholders saw an opportunity to strengthen inbound processes and increase visibility and tracking in conjunction with the new business.
RSM US LLP initially implemented the Oracle NetSuite enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for EQI and had discussed adding the NetSuite Warehouse Management System (WMS) to optimize operations at some warehouse locations. When the new inventory opportunity arose, RSM and EQI quickly determined that NetSuite WMS would be an excellent fit. Time was of the essence to have the solution in place to align with new demands.
“When we needed the Kentucky implementation, RSM was very quick to revisit earlier conversations. That helped set us in a good direction,” says EQI Manager of IT Operations Curtis Beene.
A flexible, innovative implementation strategy
To meet EQI’s fast timeline, RSM suggested a more agile plan for the NetSuite WMS implementation. Instead of a full implementation, the approach RSM proposed could establish the necessary elements for EQI in less than half the time, with any further optimizations occurring after go-live.
“The accelerated timeline was a huge success,” says RSM Supervisor Blair Schuyler. “Rather than a full-blown implementation, we were able to set up the basic necessities for them and get them going to start tracking the new inventory quickly.”
Beene detailed the relative ease of the NetSuite WMS implementation process. “It was a great experience,” he says. “We went live without any interruptions on the production floor. And, we didn’t experience any challenges. The transition was seamless.”