Concise Consulting Ltd. was established in 1997 since when we have undertaken a large number of projects, here is a sample of the types of projects we have been involved with.

AHED Ltd., Stockton on Tees and Wakefield, England

Ahed Ltd, were a distributor of plumbing and heating equipment to the trade. They are now part of the BSS Group Plc and are trading as F&P Wholesale (Wakefield).

CCL provided Ahed Ltd with a range of IT services including project management, implementation, support and development over a 7 year period up to July 2008. This including defining and implementing IT strategy.

The hardware was mainly AS400 based which CCL was responsible for managing. CCL managed and implemented two hardware upgrades during this period to a model 720 and then to a model 520. During this period, the operating system was upgraded a number of times from the original V3R7 through a number of intermediate versions to V5R3. CCL was responsible during this time for managing the systems, applying PTF’s and defining and scheduling backups. CCL Defined and managed the system scheduled jobs using a job scheduler they developed specifically for Ahed.

CCL installed an Ethernet network, ADSL and a Windows server for file/printer sharing and running an email server. This replaced individual internet email accounts and dial up modems. The server and email application were subsequently upgraded by CCL to a Windows 2003 server running Microsoft Exchange.

CCL designed, developed and implemented an EDI system for Ahed. This was based on the Inovis TrustedLink product with interfaces into an ERP application (Chorus/Jobs). CCL developed all trading partners setups, maps and interfaces and provided support services once these were completed. All messages were in Tradacoms format and included orders, invoices, credit notes, acknowledgements and delivery advices. Links were also developed to third parties such as Freeway Commerce and WeSupply.

CCL also developed a number of modules to link to the Chorus/Jobs ERP system used at Ahed. These included reporting and data extraction routines to provide data to users in Microsoft Excel format.

Ahed Ltd were taken over by BSS Group Plc in December 2007. BSS Then embarked on a project to replace all of the IT systems at Ahed with their Group standard systems which are based on UNIX. CCL were part of the project team and managed the transfer of all EDI trading partners and messages over to the BSS EDI systems. As the group systems needed enhancing to cater for all of the features used by Ahed, CCL managed these developments which were undertaken by BSS staff. CCL also managed the removal and disposal of all of the redundant IT equipment at AHED.

PWS Distributors Ltd., Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham

PWS are one of the UK’s most successful suppliers and distributors of kitchen components to manufacturers, retailers and installers of fitted kitchens.

CCL have provided PWS Distributors Ltd with a range of IT services including project management, implementation, support and development over a period of 10 years.

The hardware is mainly AS400 based. CCL managed and implemented a hardware upgrade from a model 170 to a larger model 270. CCL were responsible for defining and maintaining the system scheduled jobs using the JBA System Manager.

CCL designed and developed a number of interfaces with the ERP system (JBA System21) including a Windows based Warehouse Management and Document Imaging systems.

CCL Designed and developed a web based ordering system using XML, SQL Server, IIS and ASP. The resulting order files were then interfaced into the ERP sales order processing system.

CCL upgraded JBA System21 and all of the PWS specific modifications from version 3.5.1 to version 3.5.2 sp4.

PWS have now moved away from the standard JBA System21 screens and now use an in-house developed front end for all sales order processing. This is based on Windows and uses SQL server as the data store. During the cut-over to this, CCL developed a number of interfaces so that data could be passed from the new system to JBA System21 and processing could be carried out in parallel on both systems. CCL also developed interfaces between the new system and the JBA System21 Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable systems.

Warnaco BV, Klundert, The Netherlands

Warnaco BV in The Netherlands is part of the American group Warnaco Inc. and is the European distribution centre for the Calvin Klein range of underwear, jeans and accessories.

The initial assignment for CCL was to manage the EDI systems within Warnaco BV using ETS/400 as the mapping and communications tool. This involved day to day operational support and implementation of new trading partners and messages.

The majority of EDI messages used the EDIFACT standard and included: ORDERS, ORDRSP, DESADV, INVOIC, PRICAT, INVRPT, SLSRPT. There was also Tradacoms orders and invoices and X12 orders. There were also a number of ‘flat file’ interfaces with customers and other service suppliers.

The in-house ETS/400 application was then replaced by an externally managed solution provided by GXS. This involved transferring all trading partners and existing maps to the GXS system followed by thorough testing. This work was carried out by GXS staff in the US, Europe and the Philippines but was managed by CCL on behalf of Warnaco. CCL also developed interfaces with Warnaco’s ERP systems and developed a communications module which was used to control the transfer of data between Warnaco and GXS.

As part of this project, all existing ‘flat file’ interfaces and other file transfer processes were migrated over to the communications module. This provides Warnaco with a standard method of translating and transferring files, internally and externally.

Once the GXS system had been successfully implemented, additional trading partners and messages were added. Warnaco staff were trained in the operation of the systems which they then took over and now manage.

A number of other interfaces have also been developed by CCL for Warnaco. These include interfaces from a Work Flow system into an accounts payable system and interfaces with Spanish and Italian banks.

Crossling Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Crossling are the North of Englands largest independent plumbing and pipeline distributor. They are based in Newcastle upon Tyne and have 14 branches throughout the North of England supplying builders, plumbers, heating engineers, major house builders, housing associations and local authorities.

CCL were asked by Crossling to develop interfaces between their EDI supplier (Freeway Commerce) and their ERP system (JBA System21). This involved translating and validating invoices and credits from suppliers and then posting these into the accounts payable system. Invoices which matched with purchase orders were automatically passed for payment while other invoices and all credits were held for manual checking.

Jackel International Ltd, Dudley, Northumberland

Jackel International is a manufacturer and distributor of baby accessories under the Tommee Tippee and Maws brands.

CCL managed the implementation of a new ERP system (JBA System21) which included Warehouse Management, Sales Order Processing, Purchase Order Management and Finance Modules together with the implementation of the Inovis TrustedLink EDI system.

CCL developed a number of customer specific modifications and interfaces including a mobile sales force ordering system and an export documentation system.

Stead McAlpin and Company, Carlisle, England

Stead McAlpin are part of the John Lewis group and are specialist printers of high quality furnishing fabrics.

CCL designed and developed an application to record and control breakdowns and planned maintenance of factory equipment.

Aiwa(UK) Ltd, Middlesex, England

CCL designed and developed an interface between JBA System21 and a Warehouse Management system based on UNIX. The interface system is used by sales offices in England, Germany, The Netherlands, France and Poland and links to the European Distribution Centre in The Netherlands.

Autrans Europe Ltd., Sunderland, England

Autrans Europe Ltd provide logistics and warehouse services to the Nissan car manufacturing plant in Sunderland.

CCL carried out modifications to a Warehouse Management system which involved developing a number of programs to be used by radio data capture devices.

Danone Waters Deutschland, Mainz, Germany

CCL developed a number of interfaces to receive and process EDIFACT invoices and credit notes into an ERP system (JDE World).

Imass Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

CCL managed the setup, migration and interface requirements of South East Water as they moved to an Oracle based customer billing system supplied by Imass. This involved managing a team of 10 analysts and programmers who were specifying and developing migrations scripts and interfaces to and from external organisations. CCL co-ordinated and scheduled the work within Imass to ensure that this was completed within the overall project timescales. CCL also provided input into the design and functionality of the interfaces as well as being responsible for ensuring that the completed interfaces met user requirements. CCL managed this process on behalf of Imass and were the main point of contact for the client.

InOne Europe, Hemel Hempstead, England

CCL designed and developed a European wide EDI solution for Yazaki Europe Ltd on behalf of InOne Europe.

Yazaki Europe Ltd are a Japanese manufacturer of wiring harnesses for motor vehicles. They have manufacturing plants and sales offices throughout Europe and supply all of the major motor manufacturers including Ford, GM, Mercedes, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Saab, Scania and Nissan.

CCL developed EDI mappings and interfaces for EDIFACT, Odette and VDA messages to an ERP system (JDE OneWorld). Messages included DELINS, DELFOR, DELJIT, AVIEXP, DESADV, ORDELI and INVOIC

JBA (UK) Ltd, Birmingham, England

JBA were the original authors of the System21 ERP system.

On behalf of JBA, CCL undertook a number of development projects for clients throughout Europe. These included Doctor Martens, Lee Cooper, Sioen Industries, Dunlop Sports and Semi-Tech

Reebok (UK) Ltd, Lancaster, England

CCL provided technical support services for an ERP system developed specifically for Reebok by an off-shore development company. This system comprised Sales Order Processing, Stock Control, Warehousing, Purchase Order Management and Finance modules.

Whessoe Varec Plc., Darlington, Co Durham

Whessoe Varec were a manufacturer of valves and gauges to the oil and gas industry.

CCL managed and implemented upgrades of JBA System21 ERP system from v3.2 to v3.4.2 and to v3.5.1. This included analysing existing modifications to determine if these should be carried forward and then re-developing and testing these.

A number of other developments were carried out including the development of a sales commission system, the development of a BACS interface and the development of an MRP reporting system.

CCL also replaced the existing Token Ring network with an Ethernet network using TCP/IP and multiple Windows servers.