186% ROI after big bang replacement

Challenge

Breg faced significant challenges managing product and supplier information. Data was spread across 20 systems (including Oracle, Epicor, and Microsoft, to name a few); employees struggled to access the needed information for document management and product development. The complex ecosystem required extensive training, with top performers needing six to 12 months to onboard, which was especially costly during high employee turnover and supply chain disruptions. This, alongside the inefficiencies in their product development and control processes, significantly impacted speed to market and hindered quick decision-making. These issues highlighted Breg's urgent need for a more integrated system to manage its product lifecycle and quality processes.

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Solution

After determining that it needed a modern product lifecycle and quality management system, it selected Propel Software. Breg chose Propel for its ability to unify disparate data silos, ease of use, and portfolio of PLM and QMS products to allow end users to improve sourcing and development by making product information accessible.

"For me, Propel's value is really in its interconnectedness. When you're connecting your people, your data, creating process linkages, you have access to the intellectual power of your organization. Paper processes just aren't designed with that in mind, and neither are some older PLM tools."

^{Erika Blair, Product Development Manager}

Nucleus Research, a global provider of ROI-focused technology research and advisory services, found that the benefits of Propel deployment include time savings in product development and document control processes, improved employee satisfaction, and reallocating headcount costs.

One of the most significant lessons was approaching the system implementation with an "art of a possible" mindset. Rather than simply digitizing existing processes, Breg succeeded by rethinking and redesigning workflows to leverage Propel's capabilities fully. This approach allowed them to utilize the system's full potential rather than being constrained by legacy processes that were no longer optimal. Additionally, Breg learned the value of involving end-users early and often in the deployment process. By creating detailed user personas and gathering feedback throughout the implementation, they could ensure that the system met the needs of those using it daily, leading to high user satisfaction and adoption rates and ultimately driving a strong ROI.