Evans Industries ERP Case Study

The Challenge

Evans Industries was constrained by an outdated ERP system that could not meet the evolving requirements of its diverse customer base. Manual and error-prone labor tracking, extensive use of paper for job documentation (up to 500 pages for program docs) and an inability to efficiently manage job costing and kanban scheduling all posed significant challenges. These inefficiencies limited operational transparency, slowed down quoting processes and hampered the company’s ability to leverage advanced manufacturing capabilities such as 5-axis machining (with a maximum travel of 108" x 43") and high-precision milling (maximum travel of 100" x 69").

The Solution

Seeking to modernize their operations, Evans Industries evaluated several ERP options. Ultimately, the decision was driven by the need for an easy-to-use, fully integrated manufacturing ERP system with best-in-class scheduling and paperless capabilities. With Global Shop Solutions ERP, Evans Industries implemented shop floor data collection with barcoded badge scanning, automated labor tracking and security controls for data accuracy. Golomb notes: “Now, machinists simply scan their barcoded badges into the Shop Floor Data Collection stations on the shop floor and the system automatically captures the data. The system allows us to set security levels so employees can only update their own data and they can now find the correct job in seconds as opposed to minutes.” Additionally, the ERP system introduced indirect work order allocation for downtime and improved document control, allowing Evans Industries to accelerate their transition to a paperless shop floor and support continuous improvement.

The Results

With Global Shop Solutions ERP fully deployed, Evans Industries realized substantial operational gains. Automated labor tracking and barcode scanning significantly reduced time spent on manual data entry, while employees gained immediate access to accurate job data - eliminating wasted time searching for information. The transition to paperless documentation improved efficiency and reduced errors associated with managing extensive program documents. Job costing became more precise, supporting Evans Industries’ unique costing approach and enhancing financial oversight. Advanced scheduling modules enabled better management of kanban and custom orders, leveraging the company’s high-capacity machinery. Daily balancing processes improved with clear allocation of downtime, providing management with deeper insights into machine utilization. Golomb emphasizes: “Global Shop Solutions has also simplified the daily balancing process by ensuring all downtime gets allocated to an indirect work order. This gives us a clearer picture of how much time people are actually spending on the machines.” The culture at Evans Industries shifted toward greater technology adoption and continuous improvement. As Golomb reflects: “Getting Global Shop Solutions has forced us, as individuals and as a company, to get better at using technology to run our company. As we continue to use more of the system, work goes faster because everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing. People no longer waste time searching for jobs or job data because it’s all there with a few clicks of the mouse.” By leveraging Global Shop Solutions ERP, Evans Industries elevated their operational capabilities, improved accuracy and positioned themselves for future growth in high-tech manufacturing sectors.