How Opus Water Scaled Operations and Streamlined Inventory Control with NetSuite
Based in Hanover, Minnesota, Opus Water is an OEM supplier to the industrial water industry with expertise in pipe plugs and testing equipment used across municipal, mining, and industrial construction projects. In early 2024, the company acquired Plug Technologies and set out to unify operations under a more scalable structure.
To support both its current growth and long-term vision, Opus Water needed to replace legacy systems with a more mature ERP solution that could improve inventory control and prepare the business for future acquisitions. They turned to The Parker Initiative (TPI), a NetSuite-recommended partner, to lead the implementation and provide ongoing support.
5-month
50% reduction
Improved visibility
Background
Following the acquisition of Plug Technologies, Opus Water’s leadership team faced the challenge of scaling a newly combined organization while managing record-breaking sales and honoring the institutional knowledge of long-time employees. They needed to introduce structure around manufacturing, finance, and approvals without disrupting daily operations.
Before TPI, we were running on legacy systems with limited visibility across the business. We needed a more mature ERP system to achieve our growth goals. Four months later, we were live on NetSuite, cutting our close cycle in half and gaining greater visibility into inventory and operations. TPI’s expertise and responsiveness made it possible.
Scott Day, CFO, Opus Water
Solution
TPI led a five-month NetSuite ERP implementation, bringing a clear, structured process to an otherwise complex transformation. From kickoff to go-live, TPI worked closely with Opus Water’s new leadership team to align ERP transactions with the company’s real-world business processes.
The collaboration focused on several critical areas: transitioning to a standard costing method, enabling lot and serial tracking with bin management, and auditing Bills of Material to reflect the shop floor workflows. TPI also introduced formal work orders to support scheduling and production workflows, and implemented Quote Approval Delegation of Authority (DOA) controls to give sales leaders better oversight.
Beyond system configuration, TPI helped define employee roles, update the GL structure, and streamline ERP workflows to support day-to-day operations. The hands-on approach—including late-night support when needed—kept the project on track and helped the Opus Water team adopt the new system with confidence.
Results
Just five months after kickoff, Opus Water went live with their scalable new NetSuite ERP. The system delivered immediate improvements in operational visibility and shifted the team from gut feel to data-backed decisions.
By collaborating closely throughout the project, the Opus Water team built internal confidence needed for platform adoption. Freed from the constraints of legacy systems, they now have a foundation that supports future growth. Since go-live, the logistics team has improved inventory tracking and the sales team has strengthened approval processes through DOA—giving everyone more time to focus on serving customers, vendors, and suppliers.
According to Scott Day, the company reduced its month-end close cycle from 10 days to just 5 and now has a clearer view of its financial and operational health. TPI continues to support Opus Water on retainer, helping optimize reports and dashboards as the business evolves.
Karl [Last Name], [Title], Opus Water
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