The Problem


Rawlings, a global sports equipment manufacturer, faced significant challenges with outdated and fragmented systems for new product tracking and product lifecycle management (PLM). The company relied on an unsupported version of Microsoft SharePoint for new product tracking and had attempted to manage their PLM through an Access database and later with Oracle.

These systems were disjointed, causing inefficiencies, difficulties in data access, and communication problems across their supply chain. Rawlings needed to integrate these disparate systems into a cohesive solution that would streamline operations, centralize information, and improve communication with their global supply chain.

The Solution


TDK Technologies partnered with Rawlings to develop a comprehensive PLM solution within Salesforce, using Propel, a Salesforce add-on. This new system consolidated all essential data, from product specifications and manufacturing details to tariffs and cost structures, into a single platform. The solution also enabled two-way communication with Rawlings' ERP system, automating critical processes such as UPC code generation and data synchronization between systems.

Additionally, the transition from the old SharePoint version to a cloud-version in Office 365 was managed smoothly, with all files and tracking systems migrated online. The implementation of single sign-on between Salesforce and Microsoft Active Directory further streamlined user access, ensuring seamless integration between Rawlings' preferred Microsoft and Salesforce environments.

The Results


The integrated PLM solution significantly improved Rawlings' operational efficiency. The new system enabled centralized management of product data, enhancing visibility and control across the entire product lifecycle. Communication and collaboration with suppliers were streamlined, reducing misunderstandings and delays in the global supply chain.

Despite the complexity of migrating data from Oracle's minimally documented APIs, the project was completed successfully, with minimal disruption to Rawlings' operations. The PLM system went live ahead of the company's ERP upgrade, ensuring a smooth transition for users without the need for retraining. Since going live, the system has been highly reliable, with only a few minor bugs reported, all of which were quickly resolved. Rawlings' teams are now able to access detailed reports, track approvals, and manage supplier interactions more effectively, contributing to the overall success of their product development processes.