March/April 2024

Software
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
AUTOMATION
Greg Beachim, Sales Manager at Cyncly business First Degree Systems, says a measured
approach to investment will lay the foundations for tomorrow’s growth.
Investment in infrastructure and systems should
begin yesterday, or at least that’s how it feels
when you realise that your business operations
are not ready for an sudden change in market
demand. This is the view of Greg Beachim,
Sales Manager at Cyncly business First Degree
Systems, supplier of the Window Designer suite
of software.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations with companies
who are reviewing the way they are run, to
improve efficiencies and customer service,”
Greg says. “This is great news, because the right
software, used in the right way, can reduce errors
while maximising output for less cost.”
Since software forms a critical component of
a manufacturer’s infrastructure, upgrades are
unlikely to have an immediate effect, Greg believes.
“Window Designer can play an important role from
quoting, through to design processing, and back out
to delivery,” Greg says. “This isn’t a sticking plaster
approach. This is a fundamental investment by a
fenestration business into its future.”
Changing conditions
Significantly, once Window Designer is installed,
it can help companies adapt quickly to changing
conditions, while preparing the ground for future
opportunities.
Cyncly is a leading provider of software solutions,
which has teams of dedicated professionals
who help customers identify the challenges of
tomorrow, and deliver solutions that will help
them thrive, according to Greg.
Key to Cyncly’s strategy from 2024 onwards, he
says, is a recognition of the part the consumer – or
the end-user – plays in the life cycle of a product.
“Many of our conversations may exist in the
B2B space,” Greg argues, “but we’d be foolish
not to factor-in the consumer in the design and
manufacturing process.
“The right
software, used
in the right way, can
reduce errors while
maximising output for
less cost”
“At a simple level, homeowners are conducting
more of their research and purchasing online,
which is encouraging increasing numbers
of window companies to move more of their
operations in to the virtual space.
“With the right software tools, we can help create
a single journey from quote, to order, to design
processing, to the factory floor, to dispatch, and
ultimately back to the homeowner.
“At each point, you are reducing the need for
double entry, which removes human intervention,
and reduces the possibility of errors. You are
also speeding up the processes, which can help
window fabricators meet their promises for
shorter lead times.”
From this initial software-driven framework, other
processes and efficiencies can be built in, which
can offer further benefits, Greg explains. These can
include tracking orders through a factory, managing
stock levels, closer communication with suppliers.
“This isn’t about what software can do, it is about
what our customers want to achieve, and how
we can help them do that most efficiently,” he
says. “Many companies have already invested in
high-end machinery, such as cutting and prepping
centres, welders, corner cleaners, and bead saws.
We are creating solutions that help them maximise
the potential that investment offers.”
Greg says that he is talking to more
fabricators who are taking on greater
automation within the window, door and
glass industry as a strategic response to
overcome external pressures.
Greg Beachim
For example, as window retail companies look
for a single supplier of window products, window
fabricators are adding in new production lines
across PVC-U and aluminium in response. This,
in turn, requires larger or multiple premises,
greater stockholding, and more employees.
“Where companies are scaling up to meet
the requirements of their customers, they are
exposing themselves to increased costs that
could put pressure on their cash flow,” Greg says.
“Stock control is an excellent case in point. If you
are introducing new product lines, in multiple
systems, in a wide range of colours, then you
have to allocate space in your warehouse for the
stock required to make them. And you are talking
about profile, gaskets, glass, hardware – all of
which ties up money in stock.
“Cyncly provides the digital intelligence to speed
up fabrication, reduce waste, reduce stock
holding, reduce reliance on human intervention,
improve profit margins, and put the business on
a secure footing to win new business – now, and
into the future.”
Contact First Degree Systems / Cyncly:
01283 808042
www.firstdegreesystems.com
46 T F MARCH / APRIL 2024 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN