Customer Success Story: Four Dimensions, Inc.
Modernizing Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing with NetSuite & Protelo
Learn how Protelo helped Four Dimensions replace manual Peachtree legacy processes with NetSuite. Connecting cloud financials, inventory, order management, and manufacturing workflows in approximately 15 weeks!
Key Result: Reduced time to generate the pro forma invoices required to collect customer deposits.
| At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Customer | Four dimensions |
| Industry | Semiconductor metrology and advanced probing-system manufacturing |
| Previous Environment | Peachtree/Sage with heavily manual accounting and operational processes |
| NetSuite Footprint | Core financials and CRM, Advanced Inventory, Advanced Order Management, Light Manufacturing and Manufacturing Work in Process |
| SuiteApp | Bank Feeds |
| Protelo Customization | Workflows and custom forms supporting the pro forma invoice proc |
| Implementation Timeline | Approximately 15 weeks from kickoff to go-live |
About Four Dimensions
Founded in 1978, Four Dimensions manufactures advanced semiconductor probing systems used for material and wafer characterization. The company's four-point probe and CVmap systems are installed in hundreds of semiconductor fabrication facilities and research institutions around the world.
Four Dimensions offers a broad range of mercury probe geometries, specialized capacitance measurement electronics and four-point probe systems. Its portfolio spans manually operated systems, research-focused desktop equipment and fully automated cassette-to-cassette systems capable of handling wafers up to 300 millimeters or flat panels. The company also develops customized tools and provides measurement services using its advanced characterization equipment.
Four Dimensions had built sophisticated semiconductor measurement equipment for decades, but its business-management environment had not kept pace. The company relied on Peachtree, an aging accounting platform that required significant manual work and did not provide the connected financial, customer and manufacturing information the team needed.
The limitations extended beyond accounting. Inventory was difficult to see and organize consistently, manufacturing requirements were managed outside a modern material requirements planning environment, and CRM information was not connected with financial and operational activity. The company needed to migrate its financials, inventory, manufacturing and customer processes to the cloud without overcomplicating the transition.
Four Dimensions needed a platform that could:
- Replace manual legacy processes with a modern, cloud-based operating system
- Connect financial, customer, order, inventory and manufacturing data
- Support work orders, assemblies and manufacturing work in process
- Improve inventory control and replenishment visibility
- Streamline order management from customer request through fulfillment
- Create a scalable foundation for additional planning and global capabilities
Why Four Dimensions Chose NetSuite and Protelo
Four Dimensions' research led the team to NetSuite as a true cloud manufacturing ERP capable of unifying the processes that had previously been handled manually or in separate workflows. NetSuite provided the combination of financial management, CRM, advanced inventory, order management and manufacturing functionality required to support the business today and scale over time.
Protelo translated those requirements into a practical implementation plan centered on essential processes first. The team configured the system around Four Dimensions' finance, inventory, order and production needs while identifying targeted areas where workflow automation and custom forms would deliver additional value.
Implementation Approach: Move essential financial and manufacturing processes to the cloud, then automate the highest-value workflow gaps.
The NetSuite Solution
NetSuite Modules and Capabilities
- Core financial management and NetSuite CRM
- Advanced Inventory for stronger item and replenishment visibility
- Advanced Order Management for more consistent order processing
- Light Manufacturing for assembly-based production requirements
- Manufacturing Work in Process for greater production visibility
- Work Orders and Assemblies to support manufactured products
- Bank Feeds and electronic banking capabilities
A Faster Pro Forma Invoice Process
From Kickoff to Go-Live in Approximately 15 Weeks
Four Dimensions went live approximately 15 weeks after project kickoff. Protelo kept the implementation focused on the processes required for a successful transition, helping the team move from its legacy environment to a connected cloud platform on an efficient timeline.
The Business Impact
With NetSuite in place, Four Dimensions has a modern foundation that better reflects the sophistication of its products and manufacturing operations. Financial, customer, order, inventory and production information can now operate within a single cloud environment instead of being managed through disconnected or heavily manual processes.
- Faster deposit-request preparation: Custom workflows and forms reduce the time required to create pro forma invoices for customer deposits.
- Connected manufacturing operations: Inventory, work orders, assemblies and work in process are managed alongside orders and financial activity.
- Improved inventory visibility: Advanced Inventory provides a more organized foundation for item management and replenishment decisions.
- A cloud-based source of truth: Advanced Inventory provides a more organized foundation for item management and replenishment decisions.
- Improved inventory visibility: Financial, CRM, order and manufacturing information can be accessed within one connected platform.
- Room for future growth: The NetSuite foundation gives Four Dimensions flexibility to evaluate additional planning, automation and global functionality as requirements evolve.
Outcome: Four Dimensions replaced a heavily manual legacy environment with a connected cloud platform for finance, customers, inventory, orders and manufacturing.
A Modern Foundation for Semiconductor Manufacturing
Four Dimensions has spent decades developing precision systems for demanding semiconductor applications. Its NetSuite implementation brings the same forward-looking approach to the company's internal operations, replacing outdated processes with a platform designed for visibility, control and scalability.
By combining NetSuite's manufacturing and business-management capabilities with Protelo's targeted workflow expertise, Four Dimensions can spend less time navigating manual processes and more time supporting customers across the global semiconductor industry.
Ready to Modernize Manufacturing with NetSuite?
Protelo helps manufacturers implement, customize and support NetSuite across financials, inventory, order management, production and reporting. Our U.S.-based team combines ERP expertise with practical business-process guidance to create systems that improve efficiency and visibility.
Contact Protelo to schedule a personalized NetSuite consultation.
Trusted NetSuite Experts, Here to Help!
Choosing Protelo means more than just NetSuite software – it means having a team of experts dedicated to helping you gain the full potential of NetSuite. Here’s how our team ensures a successful implementation:
- Expert Guidance: With decades of experience in NetSuite implementation, integration, and consulting, we know how to guide you through every step of the process.
- Tailored Solutions: We understand that every business is unique. That’s why we customize configurations to fit your specific needs – no matter what industry you're in.
- Proven Success: We don’t just implement software – we take the time to understand your business, delivering real results that help you get the most from NetSuite and improve your day-to-day processes.
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Curious how we've supported businesses like yours? Protelo is passionate about helping companies succeed with NetSuite. Whether you're looking for better financial visibility, automation, or scalability, we’re here to help. Join the businesses thriving with NetSuite and Protelo—check out their success stories to see how we’ve made a difference!
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