First-class Business Tuning: Template Optimizes International Business Processes
Following the successful startup in their cement plants Esch (LUX) and Göllheim (DE), Dyckerhoff AG, a company rich in tradition, has now commenced with the international rollout of FRITZ & MACZIOL's logistics solution VAS. The new system is currently being implemented on the basis of a template in a further cement plant in Germany, as well as at the plants in the Ukraine. In several workshops, the different requirements of the plant's processes were analyzed and redefined. The template rollout is now being launched at all sites on the basis of these newly optimized and harmonized logistics processes. This is especially essential for the value flows between VAS and Dyckerhoff AG's central SAP system. Since 2004, Dyckerhoff AG has belonged to the Italian Buzzi Unicem Group. "We conduct a major part of the logistics processes using SAP. A significant criterion in selecting the new solution was the approved and easy interconnection to the SAP Sales and Distribution module. In the future, we moreover want to map incoming raw materials by integrating VAS in SAP Materials Management," says Dyckerhoff AG's CIO, Wolfgang Peseke, an important reason for deciding in favor of VAS. For Dyckerhoff, the guaranteed software maintenance and corresponding service provided by FRITZ & MACZIOL were further fundamental decision criteria. The required round-the-clock service is thus ensured 365 days a year.
Remapping logistics processes at Dyckerhoff AG's cement plants became necessary because the old in-house developed system had increasingly reached its limits. The new solution was not only to cover the existing functionality requirements, but also to ensure that all roads into the future remained opened, such was one of the central specifications. "This aspect of VAS was also convincing in comparison to other systems, from which we were selecting," says Wolfgang Peseke. One of his main topics was the web integration, to manage the shipment scheduling and planning. With this function, workflows were already improved during the pilot projects. Other features such as the photographic documentation of weighing lead to an optimization.
The first two projects were also used in optimizing cooperation in order to position the international rollout on a stable fundament. They had already had a positive experience with the initial project in Luxembourgian Esch. "We went live here in the summer of 2011, thus right in the middle of the peak season. In Göllheim we could better coordinate the project schedule with the seasonal demand. Ever since, cooperation has run smoothly, and above all, on a partnership level," says Wolfgang Peseke, in summarizing his experience.
About Dyckerhoff Dyckerhoff was founded in 1864 and is one of the leading manufacturers of cement and ready-mixed concrete in Germany. The company, which since early 2004, belongs to the Buzzi Unicem Group, is comprised of Dyckerhoff AG, who operates in Germany, and their subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Poland, in the Czech and Slovak Republics, the Ukraine, in Russia and in the USA. In 2011, Dyckerhoff achieved a turnover of 1.6 billion euros. Dyckerhoff employs approximately 6,800 employees worldwide.
About VAS VAS – the process-oriented software solution for the bulk goods industry – maps the entire process chain, from delivery on to distribution and loading, on up to pulling out of the cement factory. VAS, as the link between ERP systems and technical facilities, is the key function and timing bolt for efficient process flows. Moreover, VAS supports reporting and delivers real-time information to upstream systems such as, production, sales or managerial accounting. All technical external systems like weighing, silo or dosage technologies are fully integrated into the processes of the VAS Logistics System. Currently, VAS is being used worldwide in more than 120 plants in the bulk goods industry.
Further Information: FRITZ & MACZIOL Software und Computervertrieb GmbH Hörvelsinger Weg 17, D-89081 Ulm www.fum.de
Claus Jordan Director Business Development Tel.: +49 (0) 731 / 1551-640 Fax: +49 (0) 731 / 1551-555 E-Mail: jordan@fum.de