The Rock-Solid Reporting Behind Marshall’s Global Performance
How World Famous and Iconic UK Manufacturing powerhouse Marshall cut a full day of manual reporting every week with one cost-effective tool that’s still powering smarter decisions today.
The Challenge
Back in 1997, Jon Ellery, the Managing Director of Marshall Amplification,
introduced a complete integrated manufacturing system into the company.
It collected data from each department, but because it didn’t deliver the level
of reporting he needed to enable him to monitor company performance in detail
across every department, he tended to rely on multiple, cumbersome
spreadsheets.
These were unwieldy to use, couldn’t be easily shared amongst the management
team and took many hours to prepare and maintain.
The impact on the business was considerable: as just one example, preparation
for any major presentation required his team to spend up to two days collecting,
inputting and analysing the data.
Jon has a strong IT skill base and so spent some considerable time researching
software solutions which could give him the level of reporting he needed at a
cost-effective price
The Company
Marshall’s journey began in the early 1960s when Jim and Terry Marshall built their first amplifier in their London shop, laying the foundation for a sound that would shape generations. After hearing that the jazz-centric music stores of the West End were unwilling to cater to the needs of the rising rock ‘n’ roll guitarists who dropped by their store, it was up to Marshall to create the sound that would set them apart. From the pioneering JTM45 to the legendary 1959 ‘Plexi’, UK craftsmanship is still at the core of the Marshall legacy.
Decades later, our UK-made amps remain iconic, built with the same passion, precision and durability as ever. Whether it’s a classic reissue or a hand-built custom design store model, Marshall’s UK-made amplifiers keep the spirit of rock ’n’ roll alive.
For over 60 years, the brand has remained dedicated to UK manufacturing, ensuring that a selection of its most iconic amps continues to define rock ’n’ roll with unmatched tone, power, and quality. From Slash’s electrifying solos to Jimi Hendrix’s legendary wall of sound, UK-made Marshall amps have powered some of the greatest moments in music history.
This heritage lives in every amp, inspiring the next generation of artists with the same distinctive sound that shaped rock music.
The Solution; How Octelas helped deliver the data
Being a web-based application, Jon Ellery identified Octelas business reporting
software by illuminis as a cost-effective solution and the right tool for the job.
Octelas software is easy to implement and use, removes the human error that
endless spreadsheets inevitably produce and gives one-click reliable information.
His sales and finance teams recognise and respect the credibility of Octelas
reports which are compiled automatically every day from the data produced by
their Avante MRP system.
Wherever Jon is in the world he can instantly access the data needed to monitor
sales and financial performance, which he regards as key to spotting trends and
managing his ordering systems.
Octelas software now saves Jon personally up to one day a week, giving him
more time to focus on managing the business with accurate information
refreshed each day from Octelas.
“It’s probably saved me two or three days a month, sometimes a day a week.”
Jon Ellery
Managing Director
