June 2008 – The Lloyd Fraser Group, a leading logistics services company, is implementing an electronic procurement system from COA Solutions (formerly CedarOpenAccounts) to increase business efficiency and replace time-consuming paper-based procurement in line with its environmental agenda. The new system will go-live in late Summer 2008.
Lloyd Fraser was keen to make use of electronic procurement to automate purchase order processing at its 32 sites across the UK. The company also required a flexible and user-friendly web-based system that could support its future development plans. COA Solutions’ eBIS system was selected because of its advanced functionality and scalability. Having previously implemented COA Solutions’ OpenAccounts finance system, Lloyd Fraser had direct experience of working with COA Solutions and was also keen to further this relationship. Furthermore, with offices throughout the UK, Lloyd Fraser was impressed by COA Solutions’ strong local presence.
Graeme Johns, Financial Controller at the Lloyd Fraser Group comments, “Since implementing COA Solutions’ OpenAccounts finance system, we have seen dramatic improvements in decision making and financial control and have also enjoyed further productivity and advanced reporting capabilities since upgrading to OpenAccounts v6. Therefore, we are confident that COA Solutions fully understands our business needs and we look forward to eBIS providing us with additional benefits across the organisation.”
By using COA Solutions’ eBIS system, Lloyd Fraser’s 1400 staff will be able to raise purchase orders in minutes rather than days and weeks. Users can also identify the cost codes they require by using a look up facility on the system rather than having to manually search for the right codes, freeing-up staff time.
Johns adds, “As we operate from a number of remote sites, eBIS will streamline our business processes and dramatically improve our efficiency as staff will be able to remotely raise purchase orders and have instant online access to key financial details relating to their specific areas of responsibility. eBIS will also help to eliminate paper pushing, supporting our green policy whilst reducing administration time through less re-keying of data. In the future, we plan to use eBIS to replace a range of paper-based processes such as holiday requests and expense claims.”
COA Solutions (formerly CedarOpenAccounts) is the UK’s leading supplier of integrated business management and information systems to public, private and not-for-profit organisations in the service sector. COA Solutions prides itself on getting close to its customers by understanding their businesses and responding to their business needs.
COA Solutions’ award-winning Smart Business Suite combines core financial management, procurement, human resource and payroll systems, integrated with a range of collaborative, document management and business intelligence solutions. These solutions extend the value and effectiveness of the finance, HR and payroll departments across the organisation and enable managers in the business to monitor, analyse and continually improve corporate performance.
COA Solutions has more than 500 experienced and professional staff supporting and servicing over 4,000 clients across the UK service sector including Companies House, Newcastle City Council, WHSmith, Royal Bank of Scotland, Aer Lingus, National Express Group, DFS, RSPB and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust.
Lloyd Fraser is a private limited company providing quality third party logistics at competitive rates employing over 1,400 staff operating out of 32 sites nationwide. Lloyd Fraser believes it can be appreciably different by working together to deliver its promises, acting with integrity and respect and looking for continuous improvements. Lloyd Fraser’s business is not driven by the needs of external shareholders and it understands that to compete amongst much larger competitors it must offer a more innovative solution at a better cost. Lloyd Fraser strives for sustainable relationships with customers rather than fast profits.
The strategic vision of the company means that it is developing and winning new business in its key vertical markets. The Lloyd Fraser group has highlighted key areas where it can differentiate its product offering and is constantly monitoring its value propositions. This strategic vision is driving the organisation forward and it can expect significant growth in the near future. Lloyd Fraser’s services benefit customers in a broad range of market sectors and it works alongside some very high profile businesses.
COA Solutions Contact:
Liz Ebbrell, COA Solutions
[email protected]
+44 (0)1625 856505 or 07917 634 705
www.coasolutions.com
Ben Carey, COA Solutions
[email protected]
+44 (0)1625 856505
www.coasolutions.com
Lloyd Fraser Contact:
Mike Dennis, Lloyd Fraser
[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 1788 826518
Fax: +44 (0) 8717 143939
www.lloydfraser.com
