APi Supply Lifts: From Disconnected Systems to One Real-Time ERP with Baseplan
Explore how an aerial equipment rental and sales business modernised operations with real-time financials, stronger inventory control, and reliable reporting, powered by Baseplan.
APi Supply Lifts has been the Midwest’s trusted aerial equipment partner since 1977, supporting customers with lift rentals, equipment sales, responsive advice, competitive pricing, and maintenance that protects long-term asset value.
As the business grew, its systems couldn’t keep up. Accounting lived in Sage 50, dispatch and equipment inventory sat in a separate platform, and depreciation was tracked elsewhere, forcing month-end reconciliation and spreadsheet-heavy reporting that offered little real insight.
This case study shows how APi Supply unified rentals, dispatch, equipment, parts, and finance into a single, connected, real-time ERP with Baseplan, a single source of truth designed for modern equipment rental operations.
“Before Baseplan, we had a number of systems in place, but none of them spoke to each other… The financials were by no means a useful tool for business analysis.”
– Jeannette Gagnon, Controller, APi Supply Lifts
Explore How Baseplan Helped APi Supply Build a Real-Time Equipment ERP Foundation
One real-time ERP that connects every department
Baseplan links rentals, dispatch, parts, service, and finance in one system, so activity posts to the general ledger in real time. No more stitching platforms together or managing with spreadsheets.
Accounting as the backbone, without operational compromises
APi wanted accounting at the centre, with operations feeding clean data automatically. With Baseplan, reporting became faster, simpler, and actually useful for decision-making.
One real-time ERP that connects every department
For the first time, APi established a formal parts inventory. Baseplan helped them build it from scratch and improve accuracy, pricing integrity, and location control over time.
Clearer utilisation, movement, and performance insight
Consistent data unlocked reliable movement reports, utilisation trends, and structured metrics, giving leaders the visibility needed to plan and improve performance.
Stronger fleet decisions with disciplined cost visibility
With better capture of work orders, costs, and inventory movement, APi gained the clarity needed to manage expenses and launch its first fleet strategy program.
What Changed After Baseplan
Parts inventory transformed
After establishing inventory and steadily improving data quality, APi identified significant idle stock and cleaned the inventory position.
Reduced waste and improved control
APi identified over $200,000 in idle parts stock and reconciled its cleanest inventory position to date.
Better reporting for better decisions
Movement reports, utilisation trends, and structured metrics now support leadership initiatives and strategic planning.
Fleet strategy enabled
APi began its first fleet strategy program, something the team says wasn’t achievable with disconnected systems.
Ready to simplify operations and get real-time visibility?
If your equipment business is still stitching together systems or relying on spreadsheets to see the full picture, Baseplan can help you modernise operations, improve financial visibility, and build an ERP foundation for growth.
Reach out to us today for a no-obligations discussion on how we can help make you our next Baseplan success story.
