David Apthorpe

1

• David Apthorpe

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Who are Buxton Spa Bakeries?

• Formed in 1992
• Makers of the Holmfield brand
• 75 years of baking experience, spanning four
  generations of the Higgins family.
• The bakery currently produces over a million
  cakes per week and employs in excess of 120
  staff.
• Turnover of approx 5 million

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What do they make?

• Bakewell Tarts
• Apple
• Bakewell
• Blackcurrant
• Lemon
• Strawberry
• Apple Pies
• Cherry Bakewells

• Coconut Tarts
• Jam Tarts
• Mince Pies (inc. Luxury)
• Treacle Tarts
• and now Bakewell Puddings!

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When?

• All University Holidays Since 2002
• Worked Full Time for Gap Year (2003-2004)

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Buxton Spa Bakeries 2002

• 1 Computer on Dial-Up for all e-mail internet
  use
• 14 Computers, All VERY different setups
• 1 Page Website place-holder
• No ERP / MRP
• No EDI
• No Data Security / Backups
• Data frequently replicated

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Buxton Spa Bakeries 2005

• All computers on broadband internet
• Standardised Dell Computers with Office 2003
  Windows XP Professional
• CMS-based website
• Complete ERP / MRP implementation
• EDI
• Data Security / Backups

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Server

• Microsoft Small Business Server
• Ease of Maintainance
• Required functionality for certain software we
  use (Sage)
• Uses Sophos Anti-Virus Spam Remover
• Backed up on AIT Tape Nightly
• Allows for mobile workers (e.g. Managing Director)

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ERP

• Uses Sage Line 50 Manufacturing Controller
• Data Stored on a Microsoft Small Business Server
  with MSDE
• Most processing occurs on the server
• Data Backed up Nightly

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ERP Implementing

• Technology is easy to install set up
• People are more difficult to persuade!
• Different people working on the system
• Deep End Swimmers
• EDI-phobes
• Stuck in their ways

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ERP Expected Benefits

• Direct identification of required re-ordering
• Automated systems for ordering
• Saves approx. 6000 / year by staff reduction

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ERP Unexpected Benefits

• Automatic accurate cost identification
• Identification of problem areas
• Task transferral (reduction in data duplication)
• Invoice pairing

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Bakewell Pudding Launch

• Brand New National Product
• Different from Bakewell Tarts!
• Entire product was developed whilst using the new
  system
• Allowed fast product deployment
• Other systems allowed quick design ordering
  systems
• Fast Costing (EDI)

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What Did I Learn?

• People are key to IT
• but they will abuse the system!
• ERP, MRP EDI
• is incredibly useful
• but needs careful implementation

• Small Business Work is VERY different to large
  organisational work
• Very close to every department

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• Thank you for listening

www.buxtonspabakery.co.uk