A large optical maker needed to replace its legacy AS/400 system with a corporate-standard ERP. eSolia managed the full rollout of Baan ERP across a complex multi-site environment — Japan headquarters, an order center, a 3PL distribution center, and a US data center — requiring multilingual coordination and deep functional expertise.
Project Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Team | PM x 1, Consultant x 6, Developer x 4, Engineer x 2, Functional Key User x 6 |
| Users | 100 |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Effort | 400 person-months |
| Sites | Tokyo, New York, California |
What Needed Solving
Inventory levels were too high. Distribution logistics were inefficient. Functional processes were non-standard, and the human interface between Japan and the US was poor. The legacy AS/400 system created SOX compliance liabilities — its code was opaque, undocumented, and poorly designed. Supply chain management was inadequate, and reporting was inflexible or unavailable.
What We Did
We implemented the corporate-standard Baan ERP system, adopting global processes and best practices. We introduced a mentor-centric "buddy system" to help new users learn the global processes. Distribution was migrated to a new 3PL provider for higher efficiency. The project required constant bilingual coordination between the Japan and US teams across all phases — requirements, development, testing, training, and go-live.
What the Client Gained
- Significant inventory reduction through the ERP and new 3PL arrangement
- Transparent reporting across the organization
- Standard, secure, SOX-compliant processes
- Improved communication between the Japan and US operations
- A flexible, scalable system replacing the legacy AS/400
Technology Involved
- Baan ERP
- Unisys hardware running Windows Server for Datacenter
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Business Objects and Crystal Reports
- EDI via TIE and Argo21
For ERP and large-scale system projects in Japan, see our Project Management services.