United Surface Preparation has always been committed to efficiency and customer satisfaction. As their operations grew, they anticipated an opportunity to enhance their processes by integrating their Prophet 21 ERP system with 3M’s database, and for the role of automation in inventory management.

Expected improvements included:

• Eliminating Time-Consuming Manual Updates: Managing product pricing, inventory, and purchase orders required constant manual updates, which took time away from more strategic tasks.
• Allaying Frequent Coordination with 3M: Their team had to constantly follow up with 3M for the latest data, leading to delays in accessing accurate information.
• Mitigating Inventory Management Risks: Without real-time updates, there was always the challenge of balancing stock levels, ensuring they neither over-stocked nor ran out of critical products.
• Improving Customer Service Efficiency: Providing customers with the most up-to-date product information was sometimes delayed due to the time required to pull and verify data.

While none of these were insurmountable issues, United Surface Preparation saw a clear opportunity to improve and decided to take action.

To make their operations more efficient, United Surface Preparation partnered with DCKAP Integrator to seamlessly connect their Prophet 21 ERP with 3M’s database. This wasn’t about fixing a broken system but about making a great system even better.

• Using DCKAP’s pre-built 3M connectors, the integration was completed in just three months, allowing for a quick and seamless transition.
• Once the systems were connected, pricing, inventory, and purchase order data flowed automatically, eliminating the need for constant manual updates.
• The integration ensured that United Surface Preparation had access to the latest data at all times, reducing delays and enhancing decision-making.

Integration pipelines were set up between 3M and the client’s core P21 system. Data flowed unidirectionally from 3M to P21 in batches.

1. Product Pricing: Current pricing is displayed, eliminating extra steps in locating and manually calculating prices.
2. Product Inventory Levels: A real-time view of stock levels means they always know what’s available.
3. Purchase Order (PO) Processing: Orders move smoothly between systems, reducing extra steps and manual entry.

The impact of the integration was immediate and significant:

• Increased Efficiency: Manual tasks were reduced, allowing the team to focus on more valuable business initiatives.
• Faster, More Accurate Customer Service: With real-time data, they could provide customers with the most accurate information instantly.
• Smarter Inventory Control: The risk of over- or under-stocking was minimized thanks to real-time monitoring and automated updates.
• No More Back-and-Forth with 3M: Pricing, inventory, and purchase orders now sync automatically, eliminating the need for constant follow-ups and saving valuable time.

United Surface Preparation knew the power of technology in refining their operations. By integrating their systems with DCKAP Integrator, they enhanced efficiency, improved accuracy, and freed up their team to focus on what truly matters, serving their customers. Their timely strategy not only optimized their internal workflows but also positioned them for continued growth and success in the future.