Revitalising STA Supplies with Manufacturing Custom Development

The Challenge: Modernising a Legacy System

For nearly 30 years, STA relied on a Microsoft Access-based database. Over time, it became slow, inflexible, and unable to meet their growing needs.
They required a custom solution to:
• Migrate decades of legacy data
• Preserve essential calculations
• Add modern features for scalability
• Improve overall user experience

Collaborative Development for a Tailored Solution

We began with discovery sessions, mapping out STA’s processes and goals. One invaluable resource was a 30-year-old binder documenting the original system. This guided our work, helping us retain important workflows while eliminating inefficiencies.
By working closely with STA’s team, holding regular feedback sessions, and involving stakeholders throughout development, we built a system that truly reflected their needs.

Transforming Operations with Manufacturing Custom Development

The result was a bespoke ERP system, built using the TALL stack (Tailwind CSS, Alpine.js, Laravel, and Livewire) alongside Filament and MySQL.
Key improvements included:
• Centralised customer management
• Streamlined order processing
• Automated quoting and material tracking
• An intuitive, scalable design
This cutting-edge platform not only solved STA’s challenges but also positioned them for long-term growth.

Enhanced User Experience and Scalability

The new ERP introduced a modern, responsive interface. Navigation was simplified, while automated processes reduced manual tasks and errors.
STA’s team gained advanced tools for customer management, quoting, and order tracking, allowing them to spend more time serving clients and less time managing systems.

The Impact of Manufacturing Custom Development

The implementation of this tailored solution significantly improved STA’s operational efficiency and positioned them for continued growth. By combining their legacy knowledge with innovative technology, STA now operates with a system that supports their commitment to quality and precision in the manufacturing sector.

Customer Management

• Add, edit, and archive customer records with advanced search
• Link customers to delivery addresses, quotes, and past orders
• Retrieve packaging dimensions from historical data
• Soft-delete outdated records to preserve data integrity

Order Management

• Add, edit, and track orders with automated status updates
• Categorise items (corrugated, polystyrene, stock) with full specs
• Generate purchase orders, job sheets, and weight calculations
• Replicate orders with one click
• Upload drawings or photos for clarity
• Track partial deliveries and final quantities

Quoting and Calculations

• Generate detailed client quotes with automated calculations
• Factor in box dimensions, materials, and processes
• Export cost breakdowns for internal or customer use
• Track quote statuses from inquiry to completion
• Send quotes directly via email

Material Management

• Track stock levels and pricing with tiered options
• Update material prices instantly to reflect market changes
• Maintain compliance with FEFCO Code standards
• Ensure accurate costs across quotes and orders

The Impact of Manufacturing Custom Development

By combining legacy knowledge with cutting-edge technology, STA Supplies now runs on a system that is efficient, scalable, and user-friendly.
This manufacturing custom development project not only preserved STA’s heritage but also empowered them to deliver faster service, maintain profitability, and continue leading the protective packaging industry.