How Macally Modernized Operations with Bista Solutions and Odoo A Case Study
Company Overview
- Name of Company: Macally
- Country/Location: Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA
- Industry: Computer Accessories
- Implementation Partner: Bista Solutions
- Apps Implemented: Inventory, Sales, Accounting, Shopify, Amazon, Multi-Company, EDI Integration (SPS Commerce)
- Website: https://us.macally.com/
About Macally
For over 30 years, Macally has been a trusted name in computer accessories, specializing in high-quality mice, keyboards, and related products. Headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California, this family-owned business is now led by its second generation. Known for its dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction, Macally had reached a point where modernization was essential for growth.
With an expanding eCommerce presence and increasing operational complexity, the company recognized the need to overhaul its outdated infrastructure to support its ambitious business goals.
Key Challenges Before Partnering with Bista Solutions
Macally faced several operational challenges that highlighted the need for an ERP transformation:
- Outdated Infrastructure: The company relied on a 30-year-old legacy system, requiring extensive manual data entry and offering limited scalability for e-commerce growth.
- Disconnected Systems: Without integrations for platforms like Shopify and Amazon, manual workflows dominated the order and inventory management processes.
- Inefficient Multi-Company Operations: Managing six entities under a parent company (Mace Group) required a centralized system to handle intercompany transactions and consolidated financial reporting.
- EDI Integration Challenges: Meeting specific requirements for retail partners like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Amazon Vendor Central presented significant technical hurdles.
- Manual Workflows: Teams spent hours on repetitive tasks, such as order processing and invoice handling, reducing time available for strategic initiatives.
These challenges made it clear that a robust ERP solution, tailored to their needs, was essential for scaling the business.
Why Macally Chose Bista Solutions?
After evaluating several ERP platforms, Macally selected Odoo for its modular design and ability to support custom workflows. However, the choice of implementation partner was equally critical.
Bista Solutions stood out for its technical expertise and understanding of business workflows.
Their transparent approach to customizations and out-of-the-box recommendations offered a clear path to balancing cost and functionality.
“Bista felt like a trusted partner from day one,” says Helen, General Manager at Macally.
The Implementation Journey
Macally’s implementation journey began in February, with the ERP system going live in September. Bista Solutions worked closely with Macally to address their unique requirements through a combination of tailored solutions and responsive support.
Key Highlights of the Implementation:
Custom eCommerce Integrations:
Shopify and Amazon were seamlessly integrated into Odoo, providing robust automation for critical eCommerce workflows such as:
- Order Processing and Tracking: Orders placed on Shopify and Amazon were automatically synced to Odoo for efficient processing and real-time tracking.
- Returns and Refunds Management: Simplified handling of customer returns and refunds across multiple entities through automated workflows.
- Settlement Reports and Inventory Adjustments: Automated reconciliation of financial settlements and real-time inventory updates to maintain accuracy.
- Multi-Company eCommerce Support: Shopify and Amazon integrations were extended across six entities within the system, allowing streamlined management of orders, returns, and settlements for each entity independently.
Result: Hours of manual work were eliminated, ensuring improved accuracy and significantly faster order fulfillment processes.
Multi-Company Setup:
A robust multi-company environment was implemented, integrating six entities under a single system with features such as:
- Automated Intercompany Workflows: Intercompany transactions, including transfers, invoices, and reconciliations, were automated, reducing manual efforts and errors.
- Centralized Oversight with Independent Operations: Each entity maintained independent financial records while benefiting from centralized reporting and oversight for the parent company, Mace Group.
- Enhanced eCommerce Management: Multi-company setup enabled seamless tracking and reporting of Shopify and Amazon operations at both entity and parent company levels, optimizing efficiency.
EDI Integration with SPS Commerce:
Bista delivered customized solutions to meet the coding requirements of key retail partners, ensuring:
- Smooth data exchange between entities and partners.
- Full compliance with retail standards and protocols.
Real-Time Reporting and Analytics:
Leadership gained unparalleled visibility into operational performance through real-time reporting capabilities, enabling:
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Access to up-to-date metrics across entities and eCommerce platforms allowed for swift strategic adjustments.
- Improved Insights: Enhanced operational insights across the organization, leading to better resource allocation and performance tracking.
Throughout the process, Bista maintained consistent communication, ensuring that every issue was addressed promptly, often within 24 hours.
Results and Business Impact
The partnership with Bista Solutions delivered transformative results for Macally:
- Operational Efficiency:
- Automation of manual workflows significantly reduced processing times for orders and invoices.
- Teams were able to redirect their focus to analytical and strategic initiatives, driving business growth.
- Streamlined eCommerce Operations:
- Seamless integrations with Shopify and Amazon allowed Macally to efficiently handle B2C fulfillment without additional overhead.
- Optimized Multi-Company Management:
- Intercompany transactions were automated, improving transparency and simplifying financial reporting across six entities.
- Scalable EDI Workflows:
- Custom EDI integrations ensured smooth operations with major retailers, enabling Macally to meet partner requirements effortlessly.
- Enhanced Data Visibility:
- Real-time reporting tools provided actionable insights, empowering leadership to make informed, strategic decisions.
Testimonial from Helen, General Manager of Macally
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Helen emphasized the importance of defining business requirements early in the process. Clear communication and alignment between teams laid the foundation for a successful implementation. She recommends working with a trusted partner like Bista Solutions, who can guide businesses through the complexities of ERP deployment while addressing their unique needs.
Conclusion
Macally’s transformation journey highlights the power of a well-implemented ERP system to modernize operations and drive business growth. With Bista Solutions’ expertise, Macally achieved seamless integration of its eCommerce platforms, streamlined intercompany operations, and automated workflows, all while gaining actionable insights from real-time data.
For businesses in the computer accessories or consumer electronics industries, Macally’s success story demonstrates that with the right ERP solution and implementation partner, scaling operations and overcoming operational challenges is not just possible—it’s transformative.
If you’re ready to modernize your business, Bista Solutions can help you unlock your potential with tailored Odoo ERP solutions.
