AXIS Conference Draws Leading Metals, Wire & Cable Companies

New Software Features, Productivity Improvements, B2B Communication, Cost Management, and Sarbanes Oxley Among Hot Topics

Representatives from metals producers, processors, and service centers, and wire & cable manufacturers from across North America gathered in Lenox, Massachusetts this week for the annual AXIS User Symposium. Attendees were all users of the AXIOM enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution developed and supported by AXIS Computer Systems, Inc. (AXIS). The event is organized jointly by AXIS and the AXIS User Society (AX-US), an independent organization of companies that employ the AXIOM software.

Although companies represented at the conference ranged from primary producers operating integrated mills and mini mills, to a wide range of tube, pipe, bar, wire, and specialty product producers, steel and aluminum service centers, and cable manufacturers, attendees had much in common as part of the overall metals supply chain. “AX-US Symposium gives us an opportunity to learn from other companies dealing with similar challenges,” stated several attendees. “In some cases, those companies are customers or suppliers, so it also helps strengthen our supply chain relationships.”

AXIOM is the most widely used ERP solution in the wire and cable industry today. Over the past several years, it has also become one of the most widely deployed ERP solutions in the metals producing and processing industry. With the resurgence of activity in the United States steel industry currently underway, that trend is continuing with a number of large steel companies selecting AXIOM over the past year. AXIS is seeing a growing adoption of the ERP approach within the service center segment as well, with several service centers now in the process of implementing the AXIOM software.

Attendance at this year’s conference represented a cross-section of the AXIS customer base, with companies ranging in size from relatively small to some of the largest in the industry. Representatives from companies such as International Steel Group, Gibraltar Steel, AK Tube, Nelson Steel, Newport Steel, Plymouth Tube, Standard Steel, Aluminum Line Products, Copperfield, Johnstown Wire Technologies, Northwire, Rockbestos, Harbour Industries and many others met to discuss industry issues, learn about new software features, and share experiences through presentations, panel discussions, and networking events.

Speakers from companies like PMX Industries, Marion Steel, Special Metals, Hendrix Wire and Cable, Superior Essex, and others presented sessions ranging from eCommerce successes to technical systems deployment techniques, security, and innovative ways to use AXIOM. For instance, one integrated steel producer presented how they have used the flexibility built into AXIOM to develop a material provisioning and melt planning process driven by material characteristics information in AXIOM work orders. A panel of companies that have recently implemented AXIOM also shared their respective project successes and lessons learned.

Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions were held during the conference focused on individual industry segments as well as various functions such as sales, finance, manufacturing, etc.
Solution and service suppliers such as Hudson Global Resources, TDCI, Bravepoint, Decision Resources Inc., Midwest Systems, and ExpectIT LLC were also in attendance, presenting a number of 3rd party solutions integrated with AXIOM to provide specialized capabilities like electronic document delivery, RF data collection, XML transaction import/export, and reporting/analysis tools. AXIS consulting partners also ran sessions on issues such as the impact of Sarbanes Oxley, accelerated ERP implementation methods, techniques for upgrading releases, performance tuning, rapid closing procedures, and real-life examples of using AXIOM to reduce cost throughout an operation.

AXIS demonstrated a host of new software features planned for release 4.6 of the AXIOM solution scheduled for availability later in 2004. New and enhanced capabilities include: automated surcharge management, furnace lot scheduling, slitting and spooling, non-conformance reporting management, dynamic product descriptions, configurable purchase/material requisitioning, tag-based and schedule board production planning, actual costing, and enhanced EDI. AXIS consultants also ran sessions with tips and techniques for activities such as: multi-company financial consolidation, leveraging AXIOM exit/entry procedures, and security.

Representative comments related to individual sessions included:

“Great real-life examples…”

“This session alone would justify our CFO attending.”

“Good demo – it’s priceless to see theory put into practice.”

“Good interaction!”

“Very well prepared; very well presented.”

“The (AXIOM) product is moving in an excellent direction.”

“Roundtable discussions were very helpful.”

“Excellent panel discussion on the user’s view of implementation”

“Good common sense advice.”

“Presenter had good real-world experience.”

“I wish we would have seen this session earlier in our process…”

The AX-US Board was elected for the coming year. Companies represented on the Board include: Fisk Alloy Wire, Gibraltar, Harbour Industries, ISG, Marion Steel, Nelson Steel, Perryman Company, Special Metals, and Superior Essex.

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