How IKO Metals takes a giant leap into the 21st century with JD Edwards

Worldwide, 500,000 buildings feature roofs made by the family-owned company IKO Metals. The manufacturer has made several major acquisitions in recent years, prompting the need for a robust system: JD Edwards ERP. Cadran implemented it quickly and cost-effectively and also trained the key users. They also developed an intuitive graphical planning board and a crystal-clear work order cockpit using Simplified Views.

“We used to rely on a self-developed system, risking issues if the programmer became unavailable,” says Michel Petitjean, CEO of the European organization. He has been with the IKO group for thirty-three years. Another reason for switching to JD Edwards was that IKO Metals decided to standardize on this platform globally. “JD Edwards is especially suited for production environments,” Michel adds.

Accelerate template for less customization

After an extensive selection process involving several Cadran customers, IKO Metals chose Cadran. “They showed more hunger and a stronger drive to take up the challenge,” says Michel. To expedite the implementation, they used an “accelerate template” with proven best practices and standard configurations for the specific sector. This minimized the need for customization and reduced the risk of errors or delays during the implementation. Michel states, “I always believe in the shortest route, and once again, it worked very well.”

‘Sacrifice your best people’

To manage the project, IKO Metals hired a Project Manager and assembled a group of key users from the logistics, production, and finance departments. Michel advises, “You don’t actually want to pull managers out of daily operations, but really: sacrifice your best people for this—it’s worth it. This was evident during the project.” Most key users had experience with ERP systems but not with JD Edwards. Although it was challenging at times, with Cadran’s help, they always found solutions.

Clear planboard

As part of the implementation, IKO Metals and Cadran simplified several work processes with Simplified Views. Cadran deploys this tool to bring data and functionalities together in one intuitive interface. With Simplified Views, an intuitive graphical planboard was created for IKO Metals showing the planning for the next sixteen weeks. Instead of text-heavy screens, users now have a clear, visual planboard. JD Edwards runs in the background, but the front end is user-friendly and visually clear.

Michel comments, “We have a complex schedule with different lines and items. In the old system, we had a custom solution we liked, which was hard to give up. Although many companies use Excel sheets, we wanted to fully utilize JD Edwards. Now we can plan efficiently with this clear planboard, and more departments are showing interest in it.”

Workorder Cockpit

Using JD Edwards Simplified Views, Cadran also created a Workorder Cockpit, providing an overview of all work and material resource orders. They identified user requirements through a workshop and mapped out the ideal process, significantly simplifying it and reducing the number of clicks needed for actions. And that saves quite a bit of time on a daily basis. Michel says, “Cadran understood our users’ needs and created a very intuitive process.”

Smooth Go Live

The Go Live was very smooth: all fundamental processes, such as sales order entry and logistics, continued as usual. “I’ve seen competitors experience months of downtime during such transitions, so it was a huge relief that our business was not interrupted. Of course there were some small problems, that’s part of the deal, but business could continue as usual,” Michel says. It also helped that the key users were so involved. The lines of communication were short. It was a new way of working for the employees, but thanks to the energy of the core team and Cadran, all employees were included in the whole movement. Michel: “Even the colleagues who were about to retire switched to the new system effortlessly.

Live quickly and cost-effectively

IKO Metals now has a JD Edwards ERP system in place which is as much standard as possible. Through tight governance, Cadran has managed to keep customization to a minimum. Michel: “Cadran has always worked closely with us to see how we could stay as close as possible to the standard software. In cases where there really was no other option, we resorted to customization.’ Despite some turnover at IKO Metals, pressure from the business and adjustments during the project, Cadran was able to take the new ERP system live relatively quickly and cost-effectively. The training provided to key users ensured minimal post-Go Live issues.

Enhanced control

Michel adds, “Key users find the new system much better than the old custom solution. We now have more control over processes, access to accurate data, and have optimized several processes, like order picking. The approval system for purchases has improved, and the reliable data enables precise financial analyses and better credit control.”

Entering the 21st century

Working intensively together as key users brought them closer, shortening communication lines and improving collaboration. “We’re still discovering the system, having moved from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. It takes some getting used to,” Michel says.

Every three months, Cadran and IKO Metals review the system to fine-tune it. Michel concludes, “The external world changes quickly, so it’s essential to have stable factors in the business environment. For us, that’s this system.”

Interested in JD Edwards ERP for your manufacturing company?

Would you like to learn more about Oracle JD Edwards for manufacturing companies? Contact Bart Dix and discover the endless possibilities for your company.

Get in touch!