Enhancing Operational Speed and Clarity with an Industry-Specific ERP

Oxnard Pallet has been a key player in the pallet and trucking industry for over three decades.

The family-owned business based in Oxnard, California, started out as a small operation with just three employees. Today, it has grown into a mid-sized company serving a range of industries across the region. It also offers eco-friendly pallet options to its diverse client base.

Like many businesses in the pallet industry, Oxnard Pallet relied heavily on manual processes to manage its operations. But as the company grew, these old-school methods became a source of inefficiency and frustration.

This is the story of how Pallet Connect has helped Oxnard Pallet streamline and optimize its pallet operations and transform its way of doing business.

Challenges Pre-Pallet Connect

For years, Oxnard Pallet used manual systems to handle everything from scheduling and order tracking to invoicing. Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer Kat Miranda Vasquez recalls the difficulties they faced: “We lacked digitization. Manual processes like printing, scanning, mailing invoices, and handling spec sheets created delays and errors.” In fact, it wasn’t unusual for them to have to scramble to find the right documents, so mistakes and setbacks were inevitable.

With 40 to 60 employees and multiple daily deliveries, managing logistics without a centralized digital system led to frequent errors and miscommunications. Without a digital system, inventory updates were slow, and it was difficult to keep production, logistics, and customer service aligned. This often resulted in delays, especially when dealing with urgent or last-minute orders.

The lack of visibility across departments was a major challenge. “There was no real-time inventory tracking or material visibility, which led to inefficiencies,” adds Yesenia Flores, customer experience and operations integration lead.

Inconsistent lead times and communication breakdowns between teams were frequent pain points that frustrated both employees and customers.

Discovering Pallet Connect

Recognizing that the old ways of operating were no longer sustainable, Oxnard Pallet began exploring options for a digital solution. The decision to implement an ERP for pallet companies was initially driven by a long-time consultant’s recommendation to adopt inventory management software. But after researching various platforms, it was clear that Oxnard Pallet needed more than just pallet inventory tracking.

“So, then I said, okay why don't we look into an ERP software? One that actually does more than just inventory control; something that also manages all the other information that we need, like sales and drivers and scheduling and all of that,” recalls Kat.

After reviewing several ERP systems, they decided on pallet management software Pallet Connect because of its intuitive interface, comprehensive features, and strong support team. The fact that Pallet Connect was specifically designed for the pallet industry made it stand out from other options.

Beatrice Vasquez, co-founder and CFO, met Pallet Connect executives through an industry learning group, which solidified their decision. “I think at the end of the day, it was also about Pallet Connect being so specific to our industry,” Beatrice shares.

Kat adds, “I think what I loved about Pallet Connect is that I got to talk to somebody; I had the actual accessible support system. I was impressed by both the team and the user experience of the platform.”

Pallet Connect Implementation Process

Implementing Pallet Connect at Oxnard Pallet was a step-by-step process. The team started small, using the platform to manage orders and driver scheduling, gradually expanding its use to production and inventory.

Yesenia emphasizes the importance of taking baby steps: “We didn’t rush it. We started with a few customers and began scheduling drivers, deliveries, and pickups. We took baby steps forward, then little by little, we did more.”

One of the key factors that contributed to the success of the implementation was consistent team meetings and daily training sessions. “Our team adapted to Pallet Connect gradually, step by step, day by day,” says Kat. The transition wasn’t without challenges, but the gradual approach helped the team adapt without overwhelming them.

Training and accountability were also critical. The leadership team ensured that employees understood how to use the system to make their jobs easier. Everyone had to break old habits and encourage each other to embrace the new technology. The user-friendly design of Pallet Connect, along with its multi-language support, helped facilitate this shift, even for team members who were less tech-savvy.

Results and Business Impact

Since fully implementing Pallet Connect, the changes at Oxnard Pallet have been profound. One of the most immediate benefits was the increase in operational visibility. “There’s information sharing in real time,” says Yesenia. “We have better scheduling and planning, and less guesswork,” adds Kat.

This newfound visibility has dramatically improved scheduling and communication across departments.

Production and logistics teams are now better aligned, resulting in quicker turnaround times and more accurate order fulfillment. Yesenia points out that the automated processes have helped reduce errors in order handling, which has positively impacted their bottom line: “The speed from which production receives orders and starts producing has increased, reducing our previous cycle times and lead times.”

One of the most significant improvements was the shift from paper-based to digital pallet management processes. Invoicing, which once took hours, can now be completed in minutes. Beatrice recalls there were “lesser chances of errors or risk of paperwork getting lost.” The automated billing system has sped up payment collection and reduced paperwork errors.

Pallet Connect has also empowered the team by making data-driven decision-making easier.

“It eliminates several manual steps in our processes. It automates large volumes of data, which reduces both manual input and human error. This saves time on tasks, reduces decision fatigue since the system helps us manage and remember crucial details,” Kat explains. Employees are more accountable, and there is less need for constant oversight, allowing management to focus on growth and strategy.

No Going Back for Oxnard Pallet

With Pallet Connect, there’s just no going back to old ways and systems.

Beatrice sums up the impact of Pallet Connect on their business: “I do believe it has become an important tool that we can no longer live without, moving forward.”

Kat also highlights the importance of having real-time data for pallet companies: “We gained full visibility into all our data points which has significantly streamlined the flow of information across departments all in real time.”

“It has not only helped with communication but has let individuals grow to hold their responsibilities better and be more accountable,” Yesenia adds.

Oxnard Pallet’s journey with Pallet Connect is proof of the power of technology to transform even older traditional businesses.

By digitizing their operations, the people at Oxnard Pallet have not only improved efficiency but also enhanced team collaboration and customer satisfaction.

For businesses in the pallet industry looking to modernize, Oxnard Pallet’s experience demonstrates that adopting the right ERP system can make all the difference.

To learn more about how Pallet Connect can help streamline your operations, request a demo today.