Laycast

Laycast Ltd is a long established Foundry producing Cast Iron components, predominantly for the automotive industry. 1998 saw the completion of a new £15 million facility, equipped with the latest casting technology. The new foundry is completely computer controlled, with electric melting, fully automated sand preparation and DISAMATIC casting process.

In order to support their manufacturing capabilities, Laycast decided to implement a new production control system to manage the complete business process from order receipt through manufacturing scheduling and despatch. REDNET was selected because it was developed specifically for the foundry market and incorporated the features that Laycast needed to effectively manage their production process. The system, whilst delivering significant improvements in efficiency and management of business critical information, also quickly highlighted deficiencies in the supporting IT infrastructure. Laycast needed a reliable, high performance IT infrastructure that also provided flexibility and scalability for planned growth.

Clearbase proposed a 3 phase solution to deliver the performance required. The 1st phase was to upgrade the existing network infrastructure. Managed Ethernet switches delivering 100/1000 Mbps performance were installed and configured to support the existing CAT5e and Fibre Optic installation.

The 2nd phase was to install a new server that could support the increased demand. The powerful combination of HP ProLiant servers and Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 was chosen. This scalable solution streamlined internal communications, enhanced security, and enabled efficient pay-as-you-grow IT expansion.

The 3rd phase implemented a rolling program of client PC replacement. Clearbase supplies, installs and manages these as part of a complete IT management agreement. This ensures that users are fully supported and that the core infrastructure is proactively monitored and managed to prevent security breaches or failure.

"Clearbase have improved our IT performance so that we can now realise the benefits that REDNET will bring to our business. The ongoing IT management means that we can focus on our core business with the reassurance that our IT infrastructure will not let us down."

Richard Cosgrove - Finance Director