Project: Integration of a warehouse management system into an ERP
Client: Broman Group
Integration tool: HiQ hybrid integration platform FRENDS (IPaaS)
Documentation and supervision/monitoring: Confluence, Jira
Project: Integration into ERP system
Client: Broman Group
Integration tools: HiQ hybrid integration platform FRENDS (IPaaS)
Documentation and supervision/monitoring: Confluence, Jira
Benefits:
· Seamless compatibility of key management systems
· External expert organisation’s contribution to competence.
· The project team lighten the workload.
· Automation of functionalities to make work more efficient
Experts helping hands for information systems integration
Broman Group chose Productivity Leap as its partner for the implementation of two IT system integration projects. The projects highlighted the significance of teamwork, expertise, and initiative, as one of Broman’s objectives was to keep as many pairs of hands as possible on other development projects.
Broman Group has strongly developed its operations in recent years. One of its most recent projects was the automation of a logistics centre in Kerava. The logistics centre has a high degree of automation and quite sizeable on a Finnish scale.
“In practice, the high degree of automation means that the majority of logistics centre operations are handled with robotics. There is no room for mistakes in logistics centre systems. Operational efficiency is based on the rapid lead-time of goods flows,” explains IT Director Sami Tuupanen.
A partner to help with implementation
Combining the automated warehouse’s key IT systems into a single entity was part of the work to set up the logistics centre. To lighten the huge workload, Broman Group harnessed Leap to carry out the integration of its warehouse management system with the ERP system.
“We chose Leap as our partner for two integration projects, one of which related to our automated warehouse in Kerava, and the other focused on implementing the integration of our financial management system with other existing software. Leap was an easy choice for the project, as we were already familiar with the company’s competence and its experts,” says Tuupanen.
"Above all else, the experts were required to have an in-depth understanding of the effects of the integration on our systems' functionality," says Tuupanen in praise of Leap."
Broman Group had several other development projects under way when the project began. Finding a partner was important in order for the company to be able to focus on other business essentials in-house.
“Integration projects are clear by nature, and it is possible to set precise specifications for them, so they can be purchased from external professionals if necessary. Although we have our own application development at the company, sometimes it just isn’t wise to do everything yourself,” adds Tuupanen.
”Leap's project manager acted as a part of our organisation. This ensured that up-to-date information was shared between experts.”
Involving the project manager as part of the organisation
The logistics centre integration project was implemented in three phases. The final phase will begin in autumn this year. The Finnish FRENDS platform was used as the integration platform.
“Leap’s project manager acted as part of our organisation. This ensured that up-to-date information was shared between experts. Project collaboration took place weekly. From our perspective, the teamwork was excellent, and it felt natural to involve Leap’s people in the project. Above all else, the experts were required to have an in-depth understanding of the effects of the integration on our systems’ functionality,” says Tuupanen in praise of Leap.
”We aim for long-term collaborative partnerships. We require a good result and the ability to work proactively in your own area of competence. Leap's ability to seize challenges was important for us.”
Trust is rewarded with competence
Broman Group appreciates external expert companies’ contributions to development projects.
“We aim for long-term collaborative partnerships. We require good-quality work and the ability to work proactively in your own area of competence. Leap’s ability to seize challenges was important for us. The project was rather complex, so we required our partner to have a high level of expertise and the perseverance to see the project through. Documentation, creating specifications, and maintenance also carried significant weight for us,” says Tuupanen.
Tuupanen believes that the implementation of major integration projects requires confidential communication with the partner.
“Leap as an actor is a rather consistent growth company that actively presents its competence. We are happy to collaborate with them again in the future. When teamwork goes well, you can ask for help with changing needs,” he comments.