Materials

MLA’s Material Management System (MMS) is a well-established, ground breaking material management and control system that was originally developed in 1987. With a rock-solid reputation for its precise, efficient and seamless material management, it has been used in multiple and diverse industries from engineering and construction, in all disciplines, to boilers, mines and refineries. The highly modular system ensures each project is uniquely crafted, with every detail recorded accurately (according to the project specifications and needs), thereby ensuring the ultimate profitability and project success.

“THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND COST-EFFECTIVE MATERIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”

MMS can link all database facets related to material management. This includes planning, design, purchasing, document registers and accounting as well as MMS combined with ERP systems combining client’s ERP engineering and purchasing control with getting material into the artisans hands on site. MMS is the only “pull-system” that correlates engineering models or blueprints to daily on-site construction.

The step-by-step process, the ease of data-transfer over various networks, the traceability of materials and the precision in execution, are just a few reasons why corporations such as Bateman Madagascar, Glencor/Katanga Mining, Sappi and Murray & Roberts have benefitted from MMS.

NO SHORTAGES AT ANY POINT IN THE PROCESS FROM INCEPTION TO HANDOVER

Material shortages can be costly to any company, resulting in standing time, schedule disruptions, delays and/or overruns. These variables can cost the contractor dearly in both time and money and can, in some instances, result in penalties.

Shortages can occur at any stage of a project, from buying and delivering goods, to goods being damaged or missing in the final tally. Often, just when you think you’ve got a machine well-oiled in a seamless transition from manufacture to delivery, a tiny chink in the network causes a slip-up and the resulting shortage.

1 – EXPEDITING

A key part of material control is keeping tabs on suppliers and the transport of materials. Comprehensive reports and an enquiry system keep the construction team, expeditors and inspectors fully informed on what’s happening day to day. With everyone working from the “same page” and everyone focused on the same goal, there’s little room for error and the possibility of resulting conflict.

2 – NO EXCESS MATERIAL AT THE COMPLETION OF A PROJECT

The irrecoverable value of material left over at the end of a job, can eat into project profits and may spell disaster for a project. MMS has many tools to help reduce the amount of material left over at the end of a project and is able to account for the material that is. It handles any combination of bought-in and free- issue.

3 – MOST EFFICIENT USE OF BOUGHT MATERIAL FROM BULK START TO COMPLETION

Material control is not just about getting the required material, but ensuring that there’s a steady stream of material as and when it is required. Combining MMS with the planning process ensures that as project requirements shift, material requirements are simultaneously re-evaluated and material can be reallocated as necessary.

4 – MMS ALWAYS DELIVERS DESPITE LAST-MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS AND OTHER CHANGES

Change is an inevitable part of every project and, therefore, a part of every material requirement. The full order needs to be assessed regularly and typically this occurs on a three-week rolling horizon for a local project. This assessment is always done in close co-ordination with planning. With the combination of such an efficient material management system and detailed data analysis, the effect of most changes will be negated, preventing the project from being extended unnecessarily.

A full history of engineering changes, orders, receipts and issues are all succinctly tied together in a comprehensive, user-friendly format. If necessary, one can access a full three-dimensional history of the project material flow during or after a project. All shortages reviewed at every stage of the process.

5 – EASY-TO-USE, ACCURATE, FLEXIBLE AND FULLY-INTEGRATED MATERIAL MANAGEMENT

MMS is a dynamic, easy-to-use and easy-to-learn system. Being part of the globally accessible Microsoft family, it can be easily integrated into any set-up and accessed from anywhere. MMS is a needs-driven system, equally at home with site requisitions and central orders. It is built for both head-office & remote site use and MLA has a long history of successfully supporting remote systems efficiently.

ABILITY TO TRACK CHANGES AS FAST AS IT HAPPENS

MMS boasts flexible reporting mediums, including PDF and Excel; multiple modes of tracing material; an audit trail of “who did what”; the ability to track change as fast as it happens; and highly mobile data accessed easily across networks. Operators can access any of number of projects over the network, back-up or send projects and data with the push of a button. MMS is made up of multiple modules that can be tailored according to project specifications, magnitude and function – construction management or construction contractor.

THE MODULES INCLUDE:
Module 1: Project Set-Up
Module 2: Material Take-Off’s (BOM or Bill of Materials)
Module 3: Orders
Module 4: Receipts
Module 5: Issues
Module 6: Returns
Module 7: Inventory
Module 8: Truck ‘n Track

With material management under complete control, the focus of any business can be shifted from dealing with daily mishaps, to strategising, seeking and implementing super efficient procedures. MLA material management system allows companies and project teams to function with an unparalleled synergy that ensures the collective facets of a business push towards one goal – a successful and profitable outcome!