PEERLESS-AV: MAKING THE MOST OF AN ERP SWITCH TO ACUMATICA
QUICK LINKS
MEET PEERLESS-AV
Peerless-AV has been a leader in audiovisual solutions for over 80 years. Based in Aurora, Illinois, with additional locations in Mexico and the UK, Peerless-AV proudly designs and manufactures the highest quality products, including outdoor displays and TVs, dvLED and LCD video wall systems, complete integrated kiosks, professional carts and stands, and mounting solutions.
Boasting such clients as The Jackie Robinson Museum, Monterrey International Airport, and Lincoln Park Zoo, Peerless-AV develops meaningful relationships and delivers world-class service across commercial and consumer markets.
We've always had an engineering department. We've always been a manufacturer. And so basically, cradle to grave, we design all the way through making sure we ship it out the door the right way.
JASON KRUK
MANAGER OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS, PEERLESS-AV
THE CHALLENGE
Peerless-AV sought to undertake an ERP migration. Under their previous ERP system, which had become quite outdated in its functionality and no longer received much support, the company identified critical workflow challenges:
- Data consistency issues: Files were scattered across locations, with team members frequently working with incorrect or outdated design data.
- Manual data entry: Engineering often needed to re-enter data multiple times across different systems and specifications.
- Lack of scalability: Engineering required better tools to keep up with expansion and growth.
THE SOLUTION
Peerless-AV implemented a comprehensive digital transformation:
- SOLIDWORKS PDM for design workflow and revision control
- Acumatica as their new cloud-based ERP system
- CADTALK to bridge engineering data from PDM to Acumatica
After evaluating multiple ERP solutions, Kruk took a methodical research approach. He spent considerable time watching CADTALK's YouTube videos and comparing capabilities with competitors. A conversation with a custom trailer manufacturer at Acumatica Summit proved influential—the customer shared his experience with CADTALK's configurability and customization capabilities.
CADTALK is also an Acumatica Certified Partner and a member of acu-connect with numerous successful Acumatica integrations and partnerships.
Kruk’s key decision factors in choosing CADTALK included:
- Configurability: Ability to customize the solution beyond out-of-the-box functionality for Peerless-AV’s specific workflow needs
- Breadth of experience: Real-world ERP implementation experience and consulting from companies with similar challenges
- Core value proposition: Focus on solving the fundamental data integration challenge
Just being able to push that data is 90% of it. Everything else on top of that is just like cream on top.
JASON KRUK
MANAGER OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS, PEERLESS-AV
IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH
The implementation coincided with managing a complex, multi-system transformation – ERP implementations require great guidance and care. Kruk led the effort with a team of four additional people, alongside CADTALK, coordinating multiple software implementations simultaneously.
Phase 1: Establishing the Foundation
The year before switching to Acumatica, Peerless-AV moved all design files into SOLIDWORKS PDM. The company also established formal workflows to ensure proper revision control and approval processes for design files.
Phase 2: Configuring CADTALK Integration
An early decision involved choosing between integrating at the SOLIDWORKS level versus the PDM level. CADTALK's implementation team recommended the SOLIDWORKS approach because of how data maps to custom properties in CAD files—advice that proved correct as the project progressed.
Phase 3: Industrial Engineering Workflow
Unlike some manufacturers, Peerless-AV structured their workflow with Industrial Engineers (IEs) taking ownership after design approval. The IEs work with design files, coordinate with costing, and complete final configuration before parts are activated in Acumatica.
BEFORE CADTALK
AFTER CADTALK
ROI AND TIME SAVINGS
- 1Eliminated Redundant Data Entry
Design engineers populate custom properties in SOLIDWORKS files, and that design data flows automatically to Industrial Engineers downstream with CADTALK’s integration. This eliminates questions, delays, and duplicate entry across multiple departments. - 2Improved Data Accuracy
Files are now properly reviewed and corrected if needed before progressing into Acumatica. The right versions of the right files are sent into Acumatica, eliminating guesswork and potential errors from scattered files. - 3Faster Time-to-Market
The streamlined workflow from PDM through CADTALK to Acumatica represents a significant improvement over the previous process. With an intuitive interface and automated data flow, IEs can efficiently manage the transition from engineering to production. - 4Scalability for Growth
With growing product lines including outdoor TVs, kiosks, charging stations, battery cabinets, and direct view LED walls, CADTALK provides the infrastructure for Peerless-AV to handle increased complexity without proportional increases in manual effort.
With CADTALK’s software, our industrial engineers are able to do what they need to do and push that into Acumatica. That’s a huge time saver.
JASON KRUK
MANAGER OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS, PEERLESS-AV
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
1. Partner Responsiveness
Throughout the implementation, Kruk cited CADTALK’s responsiveness as a key component of ensuring the integrations were put into place correctly and in a timely manner. Regular check-ins helped maintain accountability on both sides.
2. Technical Expertise
CADTALK's depth of knowledge on both the engineering and ERP sides of the integration proved invaluable. Understanding Acumatica's capabilities, including item classes, allowed the implementation team to guide Peerless-AV toward optimal configurations.
3. Flexible Engagement Model
Complex implementations rarely follow a straight path. CADTALK's willingness to maintain engagement through periods of intense activity and quieter phases allowed the project to progress at a sustainable pace without constant pressure.
I've had nothing but good things to say about everybody I've worked with at CADTALK... the receptiveness, the being able to work through things together, and responsiveness. I've never felt like I've been forgotten or left alone. CADTALK was patient with us. They allowed a slow burn... Some companies want to be in and out and in and out and that's it. They managed that really well too.
JASON KRUK
MANAGER OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS, PEERLESS-AV
BEST PRACTICES FOR MANUFACTURERS
Detail-Oriented Planning
Successful implementations require getting into the specifics of how data flows, what transformations occur, and how departments will interact with systems. While tools like CADTALK can dramatically improve workflows, organizations must still invest effort to configure, test, and optimize.
Best-of-Breed Approach
Rather than forcing a single system to handle every function, Peerless-AV selected specialized solutions for different needs and integrated them together. Modern intelligent integration platforms make this strategy more viable than ever.
Common Pain Points
Many manufacturing challenges are universal: reducing keystrokes, ensuring data accuracy, and making sure approved versions are visible to everyone who needs them. The key is finding purpose-built solutions to address these common issues.
For manufacturers with complex engineering requirements, CADTALK provides the missing link between CAD systems and ERP platforms, eliminating redundant data entry, ensuring accuracy, and enabling teams to focus on value-added activities rather than manual data management.
