Black Bros. Co. Leverages Aptean’s Cloud Software to Increase Uptime and Foster Collaboration

A trusted name in discrete manufacturing since 1882, Black Bros. Co. leads globally in superior machinery—known for high-quality products with unmatched durability. The company sets the standard with innovative, high-production laminating and roll coating equipment. Beyond being an elite American manufacturer, Black Bros. also offers modern in-house engineering, expert onsite testing and exceptional customer support to ensure success from start to finish.

At the core of Black Bros.’ day-to-day operations sits cloud-hosted discrete manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) software from Aptean. In addition to the functionalities and increased visibility that discrete-specific solutions provide, shifting to cloud-based systems has further elevated Black Bros.’ processes.

The success of made-to-order (MTO), mixed mode and other discrete manufacturing companies like Black Bros. hinges on efficient production, accurate, data-driven decision-making and seamless collaboration. Disparate software systems often create information silos and hinder organizational agility.

Cloud-based, discrete manufacturing software bridges this gap—providing organizations with a centralized platform for real-time data, efficient workflows and robust collaboration tools.

Black Bros. IT professional Robert Letterly shares how Aptean’s discrete manufacturing ERP and CRM solutions have remarkably improved the company’s operations. He also explains the compelling reasons behind the decision to shift from on-premise to cloud software.

A Single Solution That Unites Black Bros.’ People, Data and Processes

The end-to-end visibility provided by Aptean's ERP and CRM solutions has empowered Black Bros. to unite its people, data and processes—bridging the gap between sales and operational staff and ensuring everyone is on the same page. As a result, customer inquiries are handled with precision and efficiency, significantly enhancing overall communication and performance.

“Now, with the Aptean ERP and CRM, everybody is integrated. So, everyone knows the answers to the questions that customers bring up,” Letterly said.

Industry-Specific Solutions That Support Business Growth

Letterly attributes Black Bros.’ growth to its staff’s ability to get to the root of the issue by leveraging Aptean ERP and CRM software.

With functionalities that facilitate process automation, provide actionable data insights and enhance visibility, the discrete manufacturing ERP allows Black Bros. to own the shop floor, operate with greater efficiency and meet customer demands with ease and precision.

Cloud Software Gives Greater Uptime and Peace of Mind

Black Bros.’ main goal when migrating its system to the cloud was to increase uptime after major weather incidents had previously knocked down the company’s on-premise servers, resulting in downtime.

Instead, cloud-based Aptean software ensures 99.9% uptime, giving Black Bros. peace of mind.

Black Bros. faced other significant challenges with its on-premise system, making it difficult to prioritize remote employees and requiring cumbersome remote desktop setups. These limitations often left remote team members feeling isolated and hindered overall collaboration. With Aptean’s cloud-hosted software, all employees now have seamless access to real-time data from any location.

This upgrade has eliminated the need for complex remote desktop solutions and ensured that remote staff with internet-connected devices are fully integrated and can operate as efficiently as their in-office counterparts. With a cloud-based system, downtime for updates and bug fixes is significantly reduced as these are pushed through the cloud, giving team members easy access to the latest version at no extra cost and in any location.

Additionally, software that resides in the cloud is powered by a secure online environment using advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, geo-fencing and intrusion detection.

“Our people can be anywhere, for any reason and still have the same access to our operational data.”

Aptean’s Customer Success Team Points Black Bros. In the Right Direction

Aptean’s team of experts provide Black Bros. with the technical support and advice it needs to achieve its business goals. Having Aptean as a partner gives discrete manufacturers a competitive edge in the industry.

For Black Bros., leveraging its investment in Aptean ERP and CRM software to its fullest potential requires more than just cutting-edge technology. It's about seamlessly integrating people, processes and technology to drive efficiency and maximize returns.

Advice for Companies Looking for Cloud-Based, Discrete-Specific Solutions

As on-premise systems require ongoing investments in file security and storage infrastructure, Black Bros. has realized significant cost savings after switching to a cloud-based solution.

As Letterly highlighted, it's crucial to consider the hidden costs beyond the initial ERP implementation. Aptean's cloud-based solutions provide a centralized platform, eliminating the need for multiple vendors and streamlining IT management for Black Bros.

“The Aptean cloud-based suite of products gives you all the storage and security that you’re going to need in order to operate efficiently and safely in today’s environment,” Letterly said.

Aptean as a Top Provider of Cloud-Based Software

Black Bros.’ story exemplifies the transformative power of Aptean's cloud-based, discrete manufacturing solutions. The company’s journey highlights Aptean's unwavering commitment to customer success, ensuring companies like Black Bros. can achieve remarkable results.

Prior to Aptean, Black Bros. faced limitations with on-premise systems. These hindered collaboration, data access for remote employees and organizational agility. Aptean's robust solutions addressed these challenges head-on, providing Black Bros. with a centralized platform that streamlines information flow, empowers remote teams and fosters informed decision-making.

Discover how Aptean’s cloud-based, purpose-built solutions can transform your operations. Request a personalized demo or contact us today.