AXIS Conference Attracts Leading Metals, Wire & Cable Manufacturers

Attendees Learn About New Software Features, Discuss Industry Best Practices, and Share Implementation Experiences

Representatives from metals producers, processors, and service centers, and wire & cable manufacturers from across North America gathered at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, New York 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. “The AXIS conference is a special annual event for us,” stated one attendee. “Every company here has similar challenges, so we all gain a lot of insight from talking with each other about the things we are each doing to improve our businesses with the AXIS software.” A first-time attendee added, “I’m surprised how willing everyone is to share their experiences – other conferences we’ve attended just haven’t been as open as this one is.”

AXIOM is the most widely used ERP solution in the wire and cable industry, and one of the most widely deployed ERP solutions in the metals producing and processing industry. AXIS is also seeing increased adoption of the ERP approach within the service center segment, with a growing number of service centers selecting and implementing the AXIOM software over the past year.

A cross-section of the metals and wire & cable industries

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 AK Tube, Aluminum Line Products, Carpenter Technology, Copperfield, ECD, Fisk Alloy Wire, Homogenous Metals Inc., Harbour Industries, Johnstown Wire Technologies, Krueger and Company, Mittal, Northwire, Ohio Coatings, Perryman Company, Plymouth Tube, PMX Industries, Rockbestos, Sharon Tube, Special Metals, Standard Steel, Stripco, Uniti Titanium, Ziereck Manufacturing, and 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 C&M Corporation, Dynamet, Gibraltar Steel Processing, Nelson Steel, Superior Essex, and others presented sessions ranging from AXIOM implementation experiences, to eCommerce successes, to technical systems management techniques, financial management, and a number of innovative ways to use AXIOM.

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.

A wide range of related solutions and services

AXIS solution and service partners Bravepoint, Decision Resources Inc., Hudson Global Services, Midwest Systems, Progress Software, and TDCI were also in attendance, presenting a number of 3rd party solutions integrated with AXIOM to provide specialized capabilities like RF data collection, XML transaction import/export, and reporting/analysis. AXIS consulting partners also ran sessions on issues such as Sarbanes Oxley, demand management, material planning, data archiving, 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, as well as prototypes of planned capabilities. New capabilities scheduled for delivery with the upcoming release 5.0 of AXIOM include attribute-based order-entry, attribute-driven pricing, dynamic routing generation, and advanced financial reporting. Significant enhancements are also included in areas such as: eCommerce, freight calculations, and actual costing. A number of new end-user productivity features planned for release 5.0 were also previewed. In addition, AXIS consultants ran sessions with tips and techniques for activities such as: tag scheduling, non-conformance reporting, order holds, certifications, outside processing management, sales contract management, security management, leveraging AXIOM exit/entry procedures, and security management.

The AX-US Board was elected for the coming year. Companies represented on the Board include: Aluminum Line Products Company (APLCO), Dynamet, Gibraltar Industries, Harbour Industries, Nelsen Steel, The Perryman Company, Special Metals, and Superior Essex.
Representative comments from attendee evaluations included:

• The conference was very beneficial for our motivation and continued progress!
• Had a great time, met a lot of people and learned a lot!
• One of the best that I have been to!
• The product keeps getting better and the symposiums always hold a high standard of excellence.  Keep it up.  I will keep coming back – unless the boss finds out how enjoyable they are and decides he’s coming instead of me!
• Excellent interaction among companies!

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