Complex projects, increasing requirements
M. Tanner AG - Digitalization in plant engineering with SAP Business One
M. Tanner AG from Winterthur is an internationally active plant manufacturer that develops specialized preform handling systems for the beverage and packaging industry. Each project is individual and each system is tailored to the customer’s requirements.
However, as the company grew, so did its complexity. Parallel projects, many departments involved and a large amount of information made it increasingly difficult to maintain an overview. Data was distributed across different systems, processes were sometimes manual and coordination on a day-to-day basis was correspondingly time-consuming.
Particularly in plant engineering, where projects are closely interlinked and time-critical, it became clear that transparency and consistent processes are crucial for sustainable success.
Plant engineering
SAP Business One
36 SAP users
Challenges in plant engineering
When complexity determines everyday life
Plant engineering is characterized by complex, interdisciplinary processes and highly individualized projects. For M. Tanner AG, this means in everyday working life:
- Projects with high technical complexity and many participants
- Different requirements per customer and system
- Close integration of sales, design, production and service
- Parallel projects with a high need for coordination
In addition, large amounts of data and a high number of articles presented the company with organizational challenges. Without an integrated system, it was almost impossible to manage these structures efficiently and maintain an overview at all times.
Particularly in the case of complex parts lists with a large number of individual items and in the project business, it became clear how important it is to have information available centrally and quickly. Structured access to up-to-date data is also crucial in the after-sales area – for example for spare parts, maintenance and service – in order to be able to react quickly and act with foresight.
A system that makes complexity manageable
SAP Business One as a central hub
With the introduction of SAP Business One, M. Tanner AG has created the basis for effectively managing this complexity. Today, all projects are managed centrally and brought together in a uniform system landscape. This enables a consistent overview of all activities and ensures that even extensive projects remain controllable at all times.
Even very large parts lists with a high number of items can be processed in real time and used directly. This allows projects to be started more quickly and implemented efficiently. At the same time, new requirements or ideas can be implemented in the system flexibly and at short notice.
Another key advantage is evident in the service business: the structured use of data from ongoing operations means that maintenance processes can be planned more specifically and managed proactively.
The result is a significant increase in efficiency throughout the company – from project management to production and after-sales service. This enables M. Tanner AG to maintain an overview at all times, even in the face of increasing complexity, and to implement projects in a secure, structured and economically successful manner.
SAP Business One as a control element
Marco Tanner
Managing Director
Scalability for 80,000 articles
We have grown very strongly over the last 20 years. The demands placed on us by the market have also increased. We have up to 80,000 articles in our system and this cannot be handled without an ERP solution. We came across SAP Business One because it is a system designed for SMEs with international experience. We have found the perfect partner in ANG Switzerland. We can implement new ideas very, very quickly, which increases the efficiency of our work on an almost daily basis.
Vincenzo Nugnes
Head of Production, Planning and IT
Projects and parts lists in real time
Since we have SAP Business One, we have a project management system that helps us to keep all projects together and we have everything under control. Since we have been using SAP Business One, we can also call up parts lists containing 15,000 items in real time and get started immediately.
Marco Tanner
Managing Director
Predictive maintenance for greater efficiency
We also use SAP Business One heavily in the after-sales area, for example spare parts and maintenance is an important topic. With the existing data that comes back from the field, we can actively carry out predictive maintenance with opportunized lists and proactive work for our employees.
- Growing project complexity and increasing market requirements
- Complex parts lists with many items
- Large quantities of articles made structured management difficult
- Distributed data prevented consistent transparency
- Need for a central, integrated ERP solution for all areas
- SAP Business One impressed as a scalable solution for SMEs with international experience
- High flexibility for rapid implementation of new requirements
- ANG Switzerland chosen as an experienced, practical implementation partner
- Close cooperation with ANG to drive forward new topics such as AI and improvements
- Central project management creates overview and control
- Large parts lists are available and usable in real time
- Rapid implementation of new ideas continuously increases efficiency
- After-sales processes are controlled proactively and based on data
- Better planning of resource availability
Customer testimonials
More success stories from plant engineering and production
More efficient processes, less effort, a better overview – SAP Business One makes it possible.
Our customers confirm this every day.
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