Dr. Bernhard Ulrich
Expansion with futureproof Business Software JOSKO Windows and Doors Ltd., one of the leading manufacturers of windows and doors in Austria and southern Germany, succeeded in the transition from business enterprise to largescale manufacturer. The Business Software had to meet this challenge.
MANY SMALL SYSTEMS REACH THEIR LIMITS
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After the turn of the millennium, when the wooden and U-PVC windows industries consolidated, JOSKO experienced massive growth – still using existing computer systems and applications. This clearly limited the possibility to further develop the organization. The situation lead to uncontrolled growth in computer systems. Having to cope with 20 to 30 different IT systems let to problems like redundant data, multiple data entries and system breakdowns. For example, an employee gets information from one IT system and then has to enter the same data in another IT system – a situation causing increased error rates, delays and coordination problems. “In a situation like that, further growth was not possible. We needed to do something to prevent organizational breakdown”, says Head of Logistics Albert Wirkert when explaining the background for JOSKO’s decision.
ONE IT SYSTEM AS A BASIS FOR GROWTH
JOSKO wanted to provide a basis for growth, increasing productivity and turnover. This strategy included an integrative approach using the same data base in the technical processes as well as in the business organization. At first, JOSKO considered an industry solution – a technical IT system for window and door
configuration generating bills of materials, work plans and manufacturing costs. However, such a system needed to be supported by a capable ERP system, meeting all other requirements. “This ERP system was Microsoft Dynamics AX – and that is how we met ECOSOL, the Microsoft Dynamics AX distribution partner”, says Albert Wirkert, “Some of our competitors argued that with the new system, we would be able to save man power, but that was not our intention. Microsoft Dynamics AX could provide us with an overview of the entire value chain enabling us to expand together with all employees.”
STANDARD SOLUTION FOR THE ENTIRE BUSINESS
With Microsoft Dynamics AX you get an international, well-established standard ERP software solution comprising all relevant business modules, such as Purchase, Sales, Inventory management, Production management and Finance. Albert Wirkert adds: “If we had chosen a software solution specifically developed for our company, it would have required enormous efforts and involved a substantial amount of man hours. Furthermore, the risk of losing specialized IT employees, taking knowledge about the design of such a system with them, would provide great risks for our business. Worst case, all efforts of creating an efficient IT system would be in vain. Instead, with Microsoft Dynamics AX, we got an out-of-the-box ERP system that met our needs 95% of the way with the standard solution. The remaining 5% could be adapted to our specific requirements.”
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THE SCALABLE SOLUTION FOR THE WINDOWS AND DOORS INDUSTRY: VINCAD FROM DYNAWAY
Albert Wirkert explains the selection process leading to the business cooperation with the Danish software vendor, Dynaway: „JOSKO has evolved from business enterprise to industrial manufacturing. Therefore we searched for a suitable industry solution that matched the requirements for a business of JOSKOs size and we found that VinCAD was the best system available that supported the variety of our products.” VinCAD is a completely integrated system based on Dynamics AX that minimizes transaction costs and provides a solid base for continuous business development as all business data are always up-to-date and easily available. „The 10% trade-specific functionality from the VinCAD configurator leveraged the perfect functioning of the remaining 90% of the Dynamics AX ERP solution. Only when data are set up correctly from the beginning, all business processes can be carried out smoothly.“ Another strong business argument was the fact that the solid basic concept of VinCAD was open to further optimization by JOSKO. The flexible solution allowed for even more refinement, coping with the industrial needs in terms of an enormous variety of product combinations of materials, customer-specific measures, colors and much more.
A LEARNING PROCESS FOR ALL BUSINESS PARTNERS BASED ON GOOD COMMUNICATION
„The cooperation with Dynaway was very professional and intensive; the VinCAD solution encompassed high-level business knowledge. We had an excellent mutual knowledge transfer – a great advantage taking the high technical standards of windows production in the German-speaking area into account.“ says Albert Wirkert.
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JOSKO WINDOWS AND DOORS LTD.
• Production and distribution of windows and doors • Wooden windows, wood/aluminum windows • Plastic windows, plastic/aluminum windows • Interior doors • Exterior doors of solid wood, PVC or aluminum • Glass facades Two production sites in Austria. Sales through partners. Production area: 45,000 m². Turnover 2009: 107 million euro Employees: 670
Dipl.-Ing. Albert Wirkert Dipl.-Ing. Albert Wirkert
STRONG BACKBONE OF THE ENTERPRISE
The fully integrated VinCAD module will still be running in 20 years, delivering the base for further growth at JOSKO. It interacts perfectly with other applications such as Microsoft Office and CAD programs. The IT level that JOSKO has reached today is almost impossible to exceed according to Albert Wirkert. All data can be easily accessed and maintained by all employees at all times. For example, any sash can be reordered promptly with all the required specifications. In cooperation with ECOSOL and Dynaway, the experts from JOSKO will carry on fine-tuning the IT solution to continue the optimization process in relation to all their products. The next step is to add restrictions as to which materials can be combined, which kinds of window panes suit which frames, and so on. The process never stops: Products, markets, locations and logistics processes are changing constantly. Continuous business growth is ensured in the best possible way with Microsoft Dynamics AX and VinCAD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: LAU JAKOBSEN Channel Manager +45 96 170 370 info@dynaway.com
BRIAN BROK JØRGENSEN Vice President of Sales +45 96 170 370 info@dynaway.com
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