TGI Includes Online Configurator in Enterprise 21

An image from the Technology Group International Product Configurator powered by TDCI BuyDesign

2005-09-27 - Toledo, OH, USA: ERP software company Technology Group International (TGI), has included a new online product configurator as part of their flagship product Enterprise 21.

The inclusion of the configurator in Enterprise 21 is the result of an agreement between Technology Group International and TDCI. Technology Group International has joined the TDCI channel partner program, which means that it can use TDCI's BuyDesign(TM) Control Center configuration engine as an optional component Enterprise 21. BuyDesign Control Center is the core component of TDCI's BuyDesign Product Customization Management System designed to support a holistic approach to the design, marketing, sales, and production of customized products.

The online configurator speeds quoting and order entry time, decreases costly errors by eliminating non-buildable products, and automatically creates bill of materials and routings for manufactured products. This is obtained by creating a rules-based product configuration matrix that provides easy to use, selection criteria for the end user. The software allows for streamlined product configuration by providing a simple drop down menu approach with immediate online graphics to show the user the configured product.

TGI sayst that this not only provides internal cost savings, but also dramatically increases the level of customer satisfaction by providing an intelligent sales force that is quick to respond to customer requests. To offer even greater pay back, the configurator is fully web enabled to allow for internet deployment and serve as an electronic expert which can help customers purchase products in a realtime, 24/7 store front setting.

Technology Group International is making much of the fact that Enterprise 21 provides an online product configurator that is fully integrated into a complete ERP system. This allows the Enterprise 21 ERP software package to manage not only the front end configuration needs, but also provides for a tightly integrated process of managing the entire enterprise wide fulfillment process through product design, order management, advanced planning, procurement, manufacturing, warehouse management, and post sales support.

Integration of the two software products has already been completed, and the combined solution is available immediately. The first customer implementation is currently under way. In addition to embedding BuyDesign Control Center into the core Enterprise 21 solution, TGI will also sell Sales BuyDesign - a flexible and comprehensive web-based application that leverages the power of BuyDesign Control Center to provide 24x7 web-based sales and service for highly customized products.

Representatives of the two companies were enthusiastic about the new offering. "It provides state-of-the art configuration functionality while being easy to integrate. We are already seeing a great deal of interest in this new capability," said Scott Smith, President of Technology Group International. "We are very pleased to welcome TGI as a BuyDesign channel sales partner," added Dan DeMuth, TDCI President. "TGI's ERP solution has already proven to be a good fit for many mid-size manufacturers and now it will be an even better fit for the growing number of to-order manufacturers in a variety of industries."

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