Big Ass Solutions first made its mark selling massive ceiling fans that spun slowly, but moved astounding amounts of air thanks to their aerodynamic design. The fans kept large spaces that lacked air conditioning, such as factories and dairy barns, feeling cool and comfortable. Recently, the company also began offering LED lighting fixtures and residential fans.

A powerful and effective enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is essential for running the company’s manufacturing operations. “It’s only a ceiling fan, but it’s a very complex product,” says Bill Nall, chief information officer at Big Ass Solutions. “That drives a lot of complexity on the bill of materials and how all those parts come together on the factory floor. That’s where I think technology is critical, because you can’t manage that level of complexity without having a tight ERP system.”