Access Supply Chain means Mission Possible for Surrey Satellite
Press Release - Thursday, May 01, 2008
Independent spacecraft manufacturer, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), has just been sold by its university owners for a record sum. The company’s Access Supply Chain ERP system has supported SSTL through a period of sustained growth, helping streamline manufacturing and stock control processes, and delivering reductions in lead times of up to 25%.
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is a high-tech organisation that was spun out of the University of Surrey in 1985, so the results of the university’s satellite research programmes could be made available to a wider industrial community. Employing 250 staff at its headquarters at the Surrey Research Park in Guildford, SSTL manufactures and operates complete space systems based on small satellite technology. The company has launched 27 small satellite missions to date, making it the most successful organisation of its kind in the world.
As SSTL began winning more contracts, it needed to streamline stock control and manufacturing processes. It chose the Access Supply Chain solution to replace a very basic system, some of which was paper-based. This meant SSTL was able to reap benefits very quickly in terms of speed, accuracy and visibility of information. The business had the supporting software it needed to enable it to move on to a new dimension and the flexibility for future expansion.
Previously, SSTL was only able to manufacture one satellite at a time. Today, with the help of the Access Supply Chain solution, the company is simultaneously manufacturing five satellites or more and it uses Access Supply Chain software to support manufacturing ‘from cradle to grave’. “It’s a key part in what we do,” says Manufacturing Manager, Geoff Cooper. “It’s where we record all part numbers, generate the bills of materials, procure all the materials and manage the progress of those through the clean room and into the Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) area.”
Time is a crucial asset in this sector and the system’s top level works order functionality has helped smooth out workload fluctuations. “A number of components that we routinely use have very long lead times. This top level works ordering means we can identify these items at an early stage - by using Access Supply Chain more effectively, we can reduce our schedule risk. We’ve been able to cut lead times by anything up to 25 per cent,” he says.
Last month, the university sold almost all its 85% stake in SSTL to European space industry giant, EADS Astrium, in what is thought to be the largest cash sale of a college company in UK history - a reported £40 million and £50 million.
ASC.010508.LS.SSTL
Editors’ notes:
About Access Supply Chain
Access Supply Chain specialises in the provision of manufacturing and distribution solutions for small, medium and large companies.
The Access Supply Chain software is a modular Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that helps manage and facilitate the operations of most vertical industry companies.
Modules cover every procedure from purchasing of raw materials, automation of works orders, bill of materials, scheduling and traceability, to costing, quotations, SFDC, warehousing and despatch.
With its scalable modular structure, excellent functionality and flexibility, the Access Supply Chain software combines all the advantages of a standard packaged software with the fit of a bespoke solution. It has limitless potential for integration and can be deployed with complete confidence in every part of the organisation.
Access Supply Chain recently received major honours at the Best of British IT Manufacturing Awards 2007 with two of its customers, winning 'best use of IT in supply chain management' and being highly commended for 'best use of IT in manufacturing and business management'. It was also recognised at The Manufacturer Awards 2007, when one of its customers won the 'IT in Manufacturing' category, and for its pivotal role in helping sister company Access Accounting win the title of Financial Software Provider of the Year at the Real FD/CBI FD's Excellence Awards 2007.
Access Supply Chain is part of the Access Technology Group of business software companies. Formed in 1991, Access was one of the first software vendors to recognise the huge potential of the Windows® operating system and to harness Microsoft® applications for the benefit of its clients, delivering them significant commercial advantage.
For further information contact:
Helen Carpenter
Head of Group PR
T: 01206 322575
F: 01206 322956
E: helen.carpenter@access-accounts.com
W: www.access-supplychain.com
