Access Group
213 Case Studies
A Access Group Case Study
TMB Patterns, a Bridgwater-based thermoforming and precision toolmaker, was struggling to turn ERP-generated work orders into reliable delivery dates. Relying on error-prone, single-user spreadsheets left planners spending up to four hours a day manually scheduling, with no real-time view of capacity or the impact of last-minute orders. After market research the company selected Access Group’s Access Orchestrate planning and scheduling solution to integrate with its ERP and provide live production visibility.
Access Group implemented Access Orchestrate with training and a smooth handover, delivering a single live production schedule that removed spreadsheet-based duplication and reduced errors. The system’s capacity planning and “what‑if” tools let planners see whether orders can be met, decide on overtime or subcontracting, and allocate time to each production step, improving decision‑making and operational efficiency. Access Group continues to support TMB Patterns as it integrates Orchestrate with shop‑floor touch panels so staff can book and activate jobs directly.
Andrew Rodd
Sales and Business Systems Manager