Universal Aluminium Systems produces aluminium extrusions for both the Glazing and Sign industries. These extrusions offer a unique combination of aesthetic appeal, innovative design, and optimum performance in a wide range of anodised or powder-coat paint finishes.


On his appointment in 2005, Ceri Hughes was asked to investigate the updating of the Sales Order processing system which, at that time, was spreadsheet based, with handwritten quotes sent out by Fax. He contacted Quintadena and asked them to develop a very specific interface to QuoteWerks, dealing with the precise (and rather technical) costing and pricing needs of the aluminium extrusion industry.


After lengthy and detailed consultation at all levels in UAS, a project scope was drawn up by Paul Hodgetts (Technical Director - Quintadena .) and programming work began in January 2006.


The system went into user acceptance testing at Easter 2006, whereupon further refinements were agreed and implemented. Full "live" deployment took place in June of that year.


Quintadena is currently in preliminary discussion with UAS regarding the possible deployment of the system, using "GO-Global" web enablement, into selected UAS customers, empowering such customers to draw up their own quotations for straightforward jobs, and save them directly into the UAS database in real time.


Ceri says, "Automation of the quotation process at Universal was absolutely necessary if we were to move forward and compete in the fast-moving commercial environment of the twenty-first century. Having achieved the basics - an in-house system which people can use and which eliminates the vast amount of double-entry that was happening before - we are looking forward to working with Quintadena , over time, to take greater advantage of our new system as a sales and marketing tool".