Replacing an over-complicated global IT System on such a short timescale, iMetal needed to be a very good fit for our business ‘out of the box’ – we were changing email systems, networks and hardware all at the same time, so we needed a system that would integrate with everything else we were doing, seamlessly and with no hassles.

Getting used to a new system was tough; there was so much to learn, but as you get more familiar with it, it all falls into place.

iMetal has improved efficiency and communications across the Group – from access to CRM (Customer Relationship Management) through to Transport Planning, the sharing of information has improved the service we provide to our Clients, and improved stock traceability and the automated retrieval of test certificates has made a huge difference to how we work as a business.

One of the greatest cost savings that we saw from Metalogic came from its licensing. Because we are a globally positioned company, we are able to have concurrent licensing allowing us to only pay for ‘active’ licenses rather than named licenses. Initially during our RFP processes other ERP packages only allowed named licenses, which would have required 1100 user licenses. The savings from this alone in concurrent licensing reduced our annual spend on our ERP by 50 percent.

Our main selection criterion was not cost – we felt that iMetal, being a metals specific system, would give us continuity of functionality from our bespoke system. We could see from the start that iMetal would be simple to use and simple to learn, would deliver ‘longevity’ and still support the business as it grows.

Metalogic were able to work flexibly and train the users in a way that reduced disruption to our business. Although no fixed date for the project was set at the starJCY2t, the system went live in a timely fashion – in only a couple of months – and within budget.

EMS has delivered real benefits to the business in terms time and money saved, as well as cash collected, and has enhanced the professional image of I S & G to our customers.

In the future we will be delivering all of our documents via EMS, the advantages of being able to email Purchase Orders, Quotations, Sales Order Acknowledgements and Test Certificates via email, more quickly and at no cost, are all too evident.

The facilities and features of iMetal have freed up what were huge administrative tasks and enabled us to concentrate our efforts on selling steel. iMetal has enabled our business to grow and given us the most professional presentation to the marketplace of any steel trading or stockholding business in the UK. Looking back we cannot imagine how we coped. As a trading platform iMetal has given us the assurance and competitiveness to take our business forward and as we move more and more into export markets, making increased use of multi-lingual documentation, following up everyday enquiries in different languages, tailoring them to ensure they are country relevant, along with professional documentation and imaging attachment we are confident that iMetal will grow with us. Couple this with the enthusiasm and passion of the development and support team we know this will continue to contribute to the professional advantage that differentiates us from our competitors.

The scene that greeted us was one of devastation this was our place of work, the company had been built from scratch – seeing the impact of the flood waters and the damage it caused along with colleagues work and personal effects littering the floor evoked strong emotions in everyone.

Nobody can imagine the chaos and disruption caused unless they have experienced it for themselves. The peace of mind we now have operating on the Cloud is invaluable, knowing that our data is recoverable at any time should we be unlucky enough to be in this situation again. I cannot recommend highly enough to organisations to consider working in this way.