Scheucher Holzindustrie GmbH
Step by step to the perfect ERP system
"Together with COSMO CONSULT, we have developed a comprehensive ERP solution. In doing so, we have managed to make important processes in all areas of the company more efficient. The fact that our work in logistics is mobile and captured in real-time now is proof that we chose the right partner."
Manfred Steinbacher, project manager at Scheucher
Company Profile
The roots of Scheucher Holzindustrie GmbH date back to the 1920s. In the decades since it was founded, the business operations of the sawmill located in Zehensdorf in Styria have continuously expanded. This expansion has been especially pronounced in the recent past. At the end of the millennium, the company had reached a production capacity of more than one million square meters of solid wood parquet. Since then, the company has launched a number of high-quality products, opened a new office, a new showroom building, and a new logistics center. More than 80% of what it produces is now being exported. Parquet floors from Styria are sold in more than 45 countries worldwide. They stand for high quality and comfortable living. Especially with its own brand "Steirer Parkett" the company has achieved a high level of recognition. Scheucher employs about 200 people at its Zehensdorf and Vienna locations.
Continuous system expansion
The company's IT infrastructure reflects the solid growth of the family business: About 10 years ago, the COSMO CONSULT Group, Europe's leading Microsoft Dynamics Partner, implemented Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP software at the company. Since then, the system has been continuously extended. Today, the enterprise software covers all operational needs. "We first integrated purchasing into Dynamics NAV, then production, costing and financial accounting. In this way, we were able to integrate and connect all fields in the best way possible," recalls Manfred Steinbacher, project manager at Scheucher. There were many reasons to choose Dynamics NAV: its user friendliness, flexible integration of related applications, simple expansion through additional functions, modules and workplaces. Its flexible program structure makes it possible to extend the project over a longer period that fits medium-size companies and to successively migrate the individual business areas of the company.
Finally, the marketing module was added in order to better coordinate sales, customer management and activity management. Step by step, a central, consistently uniform information platform was created based on Dynamics NAV, providing all the employees involved with the relevant data. In addition, the project team supplemented the ERP software with advanced planning and reporting functions, which are used to prepare day-to-day business figures in a professional and decision-oriented manner.
Successful integration of mobile logistics
Following the successes in the step-by-step expansion of the system, it was now time to take the last, but also the biggest, step: The integration of operational logistics into Dynamics NAV - including mobile devices. The project included areas such as purchasing logistics, order management, order picking and warehousing. The main objective was to speed up and simplify the processes of picking and ordering. "For us, this was an important milestone on the path to a complete software solution for all the operations of the company," Steinbacher points out. Mobile devices are nothing new for Scheucher, but there has been a lack of integration with the company’s software so far. "To date, in terms of logistics we have been mobile, but largely self-contained. Because integration with Dynamics NAV was missing, data processing in real time was not possible," adds the project manager.
Logistics data in real time
COSMO CONSULT was again commissioned project implementation. The ERP specialists from COSMO CONSULT supplemented the standard logistics module of Dynamics NAV with a mobile add-on component. This component, which is based on Microsoft technology, is fully integrated into in the ERP system and is specifically designed for mobile devices and scanners. The range of functions, workflows and the user interface can be individually adapted to the respective operational requirements. Today, Scheucher’s employees use their mobile devices to track every movement of goods where it happens. The information is then available in real time to all colleagues via the company’s software system. Because the data is automatically processed and made available, no manual intervention is required. This reduces the risk of input errors. The company’s mobile data collection processes help to increase transparency and optimize the processes in the warehouse, logistics and production, says Steinbacher: "Mobile integration has certainly been very effective."
Flexibility provides investment security
Scheucher has not regretted the decision to extend its existing ERP system for a second. "Dynamics NAV is characterized by open technology. Via web services, related systems can be integrated easily without too much effort. This means that machine data or information from logistics can be made directly available via the company’s software system. Central data storage has clear advantages over the previous solution," explains Steinbacher.
The project manager is fully satisfied with the project’s progress so far: "Together with COSMO CONSULT, we have developed a comprehensive ERP solution. In doing so, we have managed to make important processes in all areas of the company more efficient. Our employees appreciate the high level of user comfort. The fact that our work in logistics is mobile and captured in real-time now is proof that we chose the right partner." For Steinbacher, Dynamics NAV also makes the system a good deal future-proof: If the operational requirements change, new modules, functions or interfaces can be added flexibly. The software adapts to the company - and not vice versa.
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