Pactrol Controls Ltd (part of the Emerson Group), based in Wigan in Lancashire, have been using Singlepoint for 10 years. They make controls for gas, electric and water heating systems, as well as weather watchers, but manufacturing moved to an EMS site in Hungary a couple of years ago and they have adapted their use of Singlepoint to meet these changes. 

There are 15 users of Singlepoint in the UK with a further 5 in Hungary and without the modules that have been developed, there would still be very long and involved manual processes for various approvals. The main generic Singlepoint modules in use by Pactrol are Document Control, Issue Management and Engineering Change. However, they have also had numerous other modules created for them and have also developed their own after some training by Singlepoint.

Pactrol faced a significant challenge when they moved their manufacturing base to Hungary. The existing manual, paper-based systems for production concessions and component approvals were unsuitable for an international operation, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. 

There was a pressing need for an integrated system that could operate seamlessly between the UK and Hungarian facilities.

“For a number of years now we have been using a tailor-made module written by Singlepoint for production concessions notes and permits, which is used by the UK and Hungary sites. 

However, we were using a manual paper-based system for component approvals as there weren’t that many, but when manufacturing moved completely from the UK to Hungary, we also decided to have a Component Approval module written for us by Singlepoint. Our previous system had involved a form being completed, datasheets printed out and attached, then walked around for approval. This wasn’t practical when we needed to send the information to Hungary as it was time-consuming and expensive.”

Dave Beeston, Product Compliance Manager

In response to the logistical challenges brought about by the manufacturing move to Hungary, Pactrol collaborated with Singlepoint to create custom modules that would digitise and streamline their approval workflows. 

Tailored solutions, such as the Component Approval module, replaced outdated paper-based systems, introducing an efficient, electronic process. This initiative enabled seamless operations between the UK and Hungarian facilities. 

Training provided by Singlepoint empowered Pactrol’s staff to adapt and evolve workflows, ensuring a dynamic and responsive system that could accommodate the company’s changing needs without the constant need for external support.

The shift to a digital process has brought about substantial improvements for Pactrol. 

“Through training by Singlepoint, I was able to modify the existing Permit workflow and have also made some changes to forms etc as user requests have come through. Without the training, we would have had to approach Singlepoint for every change. Singlepoint’s Technical Manager, Andy Greenhalgh, created an Engineering Change module as our training aid and I have been able to ‘clone’ this workflow to create my own. If ever I get stuck, however, Singlepoint have always been there to help me”

Dave Beeston, Product Compliance Manager

Continuous evaluations and enhancements of Singlepoint have resulted in the automation of numerous manual processes, significantly increasing efficiency for Dave and his team. 

Looking ahead, there are plans to expand the use of Visual Navigator and introduce a new module for managing holiday approvals, furthering the company’s efficiency gains.