How a Metals ERP Combo Creates Benefits for Stainless Steel Service Centers

Research conducted by Forbes found that manufacturers are only achieving about 40% of their production capacity as they are too busy with data entry. We hope that’s not you, but if it is, we have a solution. Implementing a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system automates workflows so manufacturing is easier, faster, and more consistent. Metals ERP systems like Jonas Metals iMetal software and our Sage Intacct accounting software solution play a crucial role in meeting the growing demands of customers and achieving success in the stainless steel service center industry.

A Winning Combination

Stainless steel has been around for a long time (since 1913 to be exact) and is widely used in various industries because of its strength and versatility. Just like the superheroes in Marvel movies (who also sometimes throw steel beams around), stainless steel can also repair itself. From automotive and construction to aerospace and military equipment, and even touchscreen gloves, pretty much everyone has a use for it.

This demand for this material is what is making the global stainless steel market grow at an annual growth rate of 7.4% from 2023 to 2030. Sage Intacct and iMetal are two very different yet specialized software solutions commonly used in the stainless-steel industry. Both have their own unique purpose and, when unified, optimize operations and significantly improve manufacturing performance. When these metals ERP systems are leveraged effectively, we see tend to see:

• a reduction in data entry and duplication of efforts,
• faster access to insights that matter,
• lowered operation and inventory costs,
• improved management of inventory, purchasing, and accounting, and
• increased business agility.

While iMetal brings the industry-specific manufacturing & distribution technology needed, Sage Intacct brings financial technology and data analytics – most notably in the critical financial and operational metrics. Its best-in-class accounting platform offers intuitive analytics, visually appealing dashboards, and customized reporting on important accounting activities like accounts receivables, accounts payables, multi-dimensional General Ledger, cash management, and sales tax and fixed assets. By combining the data from iMetal, this fully integrated visibility creates the ideal metals ERP for a stainless-steel business.

Streamlined Operations

Integrating the two different ERPs helps streamline inventory management, production planning, sales, order processing, and financial management. Automated workflows allow data to seamlessly flow between the two integrated systems, eliminating the need for multiple manual data entries and reducing costly errors, which we mentioned are costing manufacturing companies big money on wasted productivity.

The collaboration and workflows between teams and departments across your manufacturing facility are also strengthened because the two systems combine all the necessary tools into one centralized platform everyone uses in their day-to-day work.

Improved Supply Chain Management

Iron and steel comprise about 95% of all the tonnage of metal produced annually in the United States and the world. You can just imagine how important it is then to have an effective supply chain that meets the demand for this essential material. The iMetal and Sage Intacct combo creates a metals ERP that provides a stainless-steel business with a more complete inventory management system.

After implementation, you’ll immediately notice improved real-time inventory visibility into stock levels, as well as enhanced tracking of materials and better control. This ensures minimized stockouts and reduced carrying costs. With accurate inventory information that’s always up to date and accurate, you can better meet industry demands, optimize logistics, and improve your supply chain performance.

Centralized Data Centre

The automation tools that iMetal and Sage Intacct offer give staff more insight while also freeing up time. Automating complex workflows allows staff to focus more on impactful work, like improving productivity, and less on mundane activities that don’t provide long-term business value. Thanks to Sage Intacct's powerful reporting and accounting tools your service center can automate your mundane and complex financial tasks, like invoicing, billing, multi-location reporting, and more. 

Even more, your staff will gain a guiding light by being able to easily dive deeper into the numbers to find out what’s hidden beneath the surface and uncover what’s truly going on. There’s a lot of research about data-driven decisions and having a fully integrated industry-specific ERP combo makes that possible.

Higher Scalability

Whether you need to scale up or down, the dynamic duo iMetal and Sage Intacct can accommodate your business by being highly flexible and adaptable to any changes your stainless-steel business faces. Our team can also help you easily add and/or tailor new modules, other systems, or applications to keep up with efficiencies, customer demands, and unexpected industry changes or requirements. By leveraging both ERP systems properly, you can optimize operations and improve performance, so you stay relevant in the industry and ahead of competitors.   

Without trying to sound like a broken record, stainless steel is highly sought after, and manufacturers need to keep up with demand if they want to stay competitive. If you’re looking for financial stability, optimized operations, and improved customer satisfaction (all of which are necessary to remain in the game, may we add) our team and solutions can help. Integrating iMetal software with Sage Intacct is the perfect match you need to achieve pivotal manufacturing success.