10th Anniversary | McGraths & Herbst Software

20.03.2019

Billy McGrath, the owner of McGrath’s Cong a Quarry company based in Ireland, sat down for a chat with Sean Fitzgerald. It had been 10 years since McGraths Cong implemented the Herbst Software accounting solution.

Their evolution from a very rudimentary DOS system which offered no functionality or ability to utilise their client or order data effectively, to a robust solution, which grew with them, was a game changer for the company.

At that time, Herbst project teams did not do an in-depth needs analysis to the degree they do now, largely due to this project. The time and care are taken to gather their very unique and specific needs were essential to the success of the project.

As part of McGrath’s Cong’s due diligence, they sought out three vendors to present a solution and were very impressed with the approach Herbst took, and the fact Herbst had already worked with a few other Quarry companies and understood the challenges they faced. Through multiple demos with the entire McGraths Cong team, the Herbst team made sure the solution’s functionality and features were clearly understood.

Sean Fitzgerald noted that Billy asked for more questions than the average client. This was a good thing, as it ensured Herbst understood what was needed and more importantly, why.  Billy also voiced concerns over the transition process from the old DOS system to the new system, as they still needed to be operational. Herbst worked closely with the McGraths Cong team to ensure they remained operational during the project timeline and the transition. 

During the training sessions, Billy realised the software he was deploying could do much more than just accounting. Many of the challenges he faced were directly related to traceability, especially in the heavily regulated Feed Supply sector, they were starting to service.

After the 2008 market crash, it was essential for the company to be able to validate and check the credit limits of their order recipients, and not to release a shipment if a client was over their limit, or had an unpaid balance. The shipments are high-value items and volumes and need to be managed accordingly. Herbst Software was able to meet this need.

The CTI feedback the company provided to Herbst was assessed and incorporated into future releases.

One of the many great benefits McGraths Cong has seen since deploying Herbst solutions has been measurable efficiencies and timesaving in all areas of their production and services. Drivers no longer have to come into the office to collect their ticket – they could use the kiosk and get back to their trucks quicker.  Being able to access and run comparisons on real-time reports allows Billy more time to manage the business.

Since initially deploying the accounting package, they have since installed the following modules with great success:

• Weighbridge
• Kiosk
• Haulage & Carriage

At this important 10-year anniversary, McGraths Cong is very pleased with the solutions they have in place and are especially impressed with Herbst’s implementation methodology, which aligned perfectly with their operational model. Billy McGrath comments often on this fact. 

McGraths Cong has not only been impacted positively by the use of Herbst Software but has had a positive impact on the Herbst team and development approach as well. Both Herbst Software and McGraths Cong are looking forward to another 10 years of successful collaboration together.