From Silos to System Integration: Crystal Units’ Journey to Automation, Powered by MSBC
Crystal Units Limited is at the forefront of the UK’s glass manufacturing industry. It specialises in high-quality insulating glass units, decorative glass processing, and custom glass solutions for architectural and interior glazing projects. This innovative firm produces around 30 tons of glass products daily from its London base, serving a wide-ranging market with a commitment to quality and expert design.
Over the years, Crystal Units has forged a strategic partnership with MSBC, utilising our business and technology expertise and service offerings, to meet evolving market demands and maintain a competitive edge.
Challenges
Crystal Units faced several operational challenges that held back growth and efficiency:
- Manual and Paper-Based Processes: Many workflows were manual, leading to inefficiencies and delays.
- Multiple Disconnected Systems: There was no common technology aligning sales, manufacturing, HR and finance, which created silos and duplicated time and costs.
- Lack of Business Insights: Without integrated systems management had no real-time insights into operations.
- Disjointed Departments: Limited integration caused separate departments to face communication and coordination challenges.
Solutions
MSBC collaborated with Crystal Units to develop and implement solutions to meet their unique business:
Central Barcode-Based Document Management
MSBC introduced automatic filing of electronic documents, which significantly reduced manual handling and errors.
System Integration
By integrating Sales, Manufacturing, HR, Finance and Logistics, MSBC eliminated the need for re-typing information. This reduced errors, improved the accuracy of data, and enabled real-time reporting. Transportation was improved with vehicle tracking and route optimisation, which reduced labour, fuel and servicing costs.
Automation of Compliance Processes
Manual compliance processes were automated, ensuring adherence with the latest industry regulations.
Custom Reports and Dashboards
MSBC developed a wide range of custom reports and dashboards, enabling Crystal Units to analyse live data from multiple systems during decision-making.
Preferred Tech & Consulting Partner
MSBC served as a trusted partner, evaluating and defining automation requirements based on Crystal Units' specific business logic.
Outcome
The collaboration between Crystal Units and MSBC led to significant improvements across the business:
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Streamlined Workflows: The centralisation of systems and automation of processes streamlines operations, reduces bottlenecks and delays, and preserves cash.
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End-to-End Automation of the Order Cycle: The entire order cycle from estimates to dispatch is automated, increasing speed and accuracy.
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Time Savings for Staff: Employees save time on day-to-day tasks while having access to all the information they need.
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Increased Operational Efficiencies: The integration and automation of systems result in noticeable increases in efficiency across all departments.
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18% Year-on-Year Improvement in Customer Satisfaction: Enhanced operations translate into better service delivery and an 18% improvement in customer satisfaction.
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Improved Visibility across Departments: With integrated systems, management and staff have full visibility into operations, enabling improved decision-making and collaboration.
"We've been associated with MSBC for two decades now, and throughout this long-standing partnership, they have consistently proven themselves to be more than just a service provider—they’ve become a vital part of our growth journey. Their deep understanding of our industry and business needs has allowed them to deliver innovative technology solutions that have streamlined our operations, improved our efficiency, and enhanced our ability to serve our customers.
From automating our processes to integrating complex systems, MSBC has always been ahead of the curve, helping us stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. Their proactive approach and commitment to excellence have not only kept us at the forefront of the fenestration industry but have also provided us with the tools and insights to continually adapt and thrive.
It is rare to find a partner who truly understands the intricacies of your business and works tirelessly to ensure your success, but with MSBC, we have found exactly that. Highly recommended!"