TurtleSpice ERP! (Week 1)

Welcome to TurtleSpice ERP, our new series on software selection!

We’ll follow one company’s software selection process, from beginning to end—with your help.

In fact, the fate of the company’s software selection project is in your hands.

Cast your vote at the bottom of the post, and next week I’ll move the scenario forward based on the winning answer.

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Here’s the scenario:

In just six years, Westchester, California (US)-based TurtleSpice has grown from a single-kitchen weekend project to a multi-million dollar manufacturer.

The secret of its success: TurtleSpice Sauce, an innovative condiment that can be used as a dressing for everything from fish, poultry, and red meat, to pasta and pizza, to iceberg lettuce and carrot sticks.

TurtleSpice is now a major supplier of sauce packets to airlines, and during busy periods ships upwards of 5,000 orders a day in various configurations, including single-serving packets, bulk containers, and jars.

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Today is a Friday like any other at TurtleSpice.

Except that today, Mike Chelonia, TurtleSpice’s comptroller, is struggling to wrap his head around the latest action item to hit his desk.

He knew it was coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

Mike’s CFO has mandated him to select an ERP system for TurtleSpice in order to overcome its current lack of manufacturing and reporting abilities, to enhance the overall operational efficiency of the company, and to better handle compliance issues.

In fact, compliance is becoming nearly unmanageable thanks to an expanding product line (although current product expansion is a debacle, Mike thinks, with its proposed new product—TurtleSpice Juice—being possibly one of the most disgusting beverages ever conceived).

Unfortunately, Mike has no idea where to start with the task at hand. As far as he can tell, he’s been landed with this action item for no better reason than that he’s “Mr. Efficiency,” and that he’s a good “numbers guy.”

But right now he’s not feeling so efficient. He’s heard horror stories about ERP selections, and he’s not thrilled with the prospect of being yet another.

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About TurtleSpice:

* Currently, TurtleSpice’s traceability system is paper-based, with data being handwritten onto batch sheets. TurtleSpice is also using Excel for financials, and an in-house-developed order entry system that’s showing its age.
* TurtleSpice faces a number of compliance issues, including FDA regulations, facility inspections (HACCP compliance), labeling language requirements for Canada and Mexico, multi-currency billing and invoice capabilities, and occupational health and safety requirements.
* Since 2004, TurtleSpice has outsourced its distribution to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider for logistics and freight, having made the change when its delivery volume started to exceed the capacity of its single delivery truck.

Useful TurtleSpice stats:

* manufacturing, warehouse, and corporate HQ facilities all located on one site
* $50 million in revenues for FY 2007
* 120 employees, 85 system users
* budget for licenses, implementation, and maintenance: $500,000-$750,000
* seeking training, support, and yearly maintenance
* implementation time frame: 6-12 months

Back-of-napkin business requirements (in no particular order):

* automate financial processes
* tracking of compliance issues
* manage employee records and payroll
* track maintenance and repair for equipment and fixed assets
* warehouse and inventory management
* improve e-commerce capabilities
* better tracking of customer service and support
* record and track sales orders
* manufacturing management
* manage recipes for new products