All too often, it was a case of ‘the computer says no’ for Cumbernauld based CMS Window Systems when it was dealing with its previous software supplier. It was refreshing then for it to switch to Business Micros and benefit from what CMS describes as a ‘truly customer orientated approach’.

CMS Window Systems is a specialist window, door and curtain walling fabricator with a large social housing customer base, so has quite specific manufacturing and reporting requirements when compared with a typical trade supplier.

The team at Business Micros has invested time in understanding this and, over the last four years, has put together what is now a completely bespoke software package based on the Evolution and EvoNET platforms.

Mark Owens, Sales and Operational Planning Manager at CMS, has been very pleased with the service. He says: “What continues to impress us about Business Micros is the flexibility shown by the whole team. They almost never say No to a request from us, but always find a way to adapt the software so that it does what we need it to do.

“Whether that is changing a report in EvoNET or rationalising the customer defaults in Evolution, they make it clear that their priority is to fit the software to our business rather than the other way around.”

CMS has a two day per month support contract with Business Micros so that it can carry out ongoing development of its software. However, Mark says that it is not just the time that Business Micros spends, but the approach which really matters. He adds: “The support team are on call all week for us to contact by phone and we get regular visits from the programmers. They almost seem to enjoy the challenges we set them, and clearly see the development work they do for us as part of a process of continual product improvement.”

In terms of payback, CMS calculates the value of the Business Micros software in terms of the ongoing functionality and features it offers. It is continually adding new reports within EvoNET and says that social housing clients appreciate the insight that this brings to their relationship with CMS.                                            -1-

Using Evolution and EvoNET, CMS has complete barcode scanning of its factory and can track every profile and glass unit from delivery to despatch. This ensures that it can identify problems or errors before they ever become visible to the client and helps to ensure that it can maintain an efficient, right first time service.

CMS Window Systems is one of Scotland’s fastest growing manufacturing businesses and a market leader in the design, manufacture and installation of PVC-U and aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling. Employing more than 265 people at its 15-acre main manufacturing and recycling facility in Cumbernauld, together with its branch in Kirkcaldy, the company works extensively with local authorities, housebuilders, property developers and main contractors to provide windows, doors and curtain walling capable of delivering the most energy efficient and comfortable homes and buildings.