Maton Guitars takes EXO on the road

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Published on the 10/05/2011 | Written by MYOB

AT A GLANCE

Maton Guitars

INDUSTRY

Manufacturing & Distribution

BUSINESS OBJECTIVE

Upgrade their underlying database from Interbase to Microsoft SQL
Support the efficient flow of information from data entry to reporting
Streamline delivery of key business functions in an easy-to-use interface

SOLUTION

MYOB Exo Finance (Core Module)

THE BENEFITS

Integrated suite of manufacturing, inventory and financial capabilities
Strong reporting functionality and the ability to account for multiple foreign currencies
Increased levels of customer satisfaction
Noticeable time savings and reduced paper trail
High visibility of on-line orders
Online sales function in multi currency for international orders

FOR MORE INFORMATION

MYOB//
E: biggerbusiness@myob.com
NZ: 0800 696 239
AU: 1300 555 110
https://www.myob.com/

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A growing global market has meant increasing complexity for the Melbourne-based instrument manufacturer, but MYOB Exo has taken it all in its stride…

For David Steedman, general manager at Maton Guitars, Australia’s premiere manufacturer of professional guitars, it is vital to have access to accurate and relevant information.

And it’s not only David; the management team at Maton is overseeing rapid global expansion and also require tailored information to react swiftly to market changes.

That is why Maton Guitars decided to make two major changes in their business. They upgraded their underlying database from Interbase to Microsoft SQL, to strengthen their reporting functions, and implemented the foreign currency function of the MYOB Exo finance module, to allow Maton to invoice in foreign currencies.

“Exo is always running on my desktop,” says Steedman. “It gives me production numbers, stock levels, financial information, sales orders, you name it. I can make projections, run reports and, with overseas transactions, even see the numbers in multiple currencies. Exo Is also the system through which we drive our daily production scheduling. In short, Exo is absolutely essential for not just myself but for the business.”

Steedman is just one of many Exo users at Maton Guitars.

“There are five or six managers who rely on Exo as much as I do,” explains Steedman. “We have been running Exo in its various iterations for close to a decade and, as a result, it is an integral component of our business processes.”

Expert support
OxygenExpress has been supporting Exo at Maton Guitars since 2004. “We were invited in by Maton to help them upgrade their underlying database from Interbase to Microsoft SQL,” says Patrick Saundry, managing director at OxygenExpress. “This gave them a standards-based environment to support the efficient flow of information from data entry to the user interface to reporting. Since then we have worked closely with David and his team to define and produce procedures that support their own unique business processes – such as using serial numbers to track the manufacturing and sales process as well advanced work order generation and online ordering – to help them manage their business more efficiently.”

Steedman appreciates the reporting capabilities that Exo offers. “As you might imagine, generating reports is a major part of my job,” he explains.

“OxygenExpress has helped us develop a full range of reports so that I can prepare all of the standardised reports that support my day-to-day activities. With Exo, running reports is fast and efficient so I can spend my time interpreting the numbers instead of compiling them.”

International growth
Exo has been a key enabler as Maton expanded outside of Australia to tap into a growing international market for their high-end products.

Accuracy, data integrity and flexibility in the presentation of key business data were fundamental requirements as Maton targeted musicians in the UK, USA, New Zealand, Italy, Japan and Germany.

To compete successfully in the international arena, Maton had a clear need for a solution to issue and account for invoices in the currency of the international market. “Being able to track currency fluctuations, especially with on-line ordering and customised orders, is highly valuable in managing potential risk to profits in today’s environment,” says Steedman. “Exo’s capability to process online sales orders in a number of different currencies allows us to look at the numbers and understand the immediate impact for us in Australian terms.”

The ability to offer on-line sales to international customers has been a big boost for Maton Guitars.

This particular function, which was implemented with assistance from OxygenExpress, has improved customer satisfaction as it supports more options for engagement.

“On-line ordering in the currency of the purchaser,” concludes Steedman, “has provided us with a firm foundation for international expansion as well as continuing success domestically. In addition to facilitating sales and supporting the manufacturing process, we rely on it for not only our every-day activities but for strategic decision making as well.

Exo has been a real enabler for us.”

Intuitive interface
Exo’s browser-based interface means that Maton’s team can be up and running with minimal training.

Salespeople are able to log on from anywhere and check Exo derived reports to view stock availability and order status, improving customer service levels.

Exo also delivers reports that identify both actual as well as outstanding sales by model, customer and salesman. These reports, which can be downloaded and further analysed by managers, are an integral part of the sales management function.

“This [visibility] has resulted in noticeable time savings, reduced the paper trail and provided greater accountability internally,” says Steedman.

“Having a solution that enables staff to view where orders are in the manufacturing process helps drive efficiency. Exo has delivered improved production scheduling for us by generating near-real time reports depicting all relevant production and sales data. This gives all of our managers’ meaningful information for our daily production scheduling.”