CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

22 March 2005

Implementation Investments

Automotive Supplier Schlemmer Selects Integrated Worldwide ERP Solution Using IFS ApplicationsT

Tier 2 automotive supplier Schlemmer has chosen to implement IFS Applications business software in Germany and 15 other international locations. Schlemmer-one of the leading providers of cable protection systems, air and fluid, and mechatronic systems for the automotive industry-is looking to plan and control its global business using a single coherent management system. The company is also seeking to automate significant parts of its supply chain management with IFS' automotive supply chain components. It expects the solution to provide more up-to-date and transparent information, shorter lead times, and lower process costs. The anticipated value of the contract with IFS is approximately $2 million.

Schlemmer chose IFS for a number of reasons. To start with, the global software company has a presence in all the international markets in which Schlemmer operates. Schlemmer will use this presence, integrating business processes across all its sites with the help of IFS Applications. The wide variety of functions offered by IFS Applications-including product development, manufacturing and logistics, accounting, workforce management, and production-plant maintenance-was also an important factor. The large number of processes covered by IFS' standard products makes them ideal for automotive suppliers.

"Working in partnership with IFS, we can expand in all of the markets we serve," said Schlemmer chief information officer Thorsten Selner. "That is a vital prospect for us because, as a supplier, we can only be successful if we are close enough to our customers. In addition, the flexibility of the product and vendor, and the bright outlook for both, played a key role in our decision to go with IFS."

"Schlemmer's decision confirms our strategy of providing industry-specific solutions that give medium-sized international enterprises the flexibility they need to enhance their international competitiveness and increase their market share," said Wilfried Gschneidinger, managing director of IFS Germany.

The software rollout will kick off in March with the design phase. Schlemmer and IFS will define the target processes for the company's worldwide operations using IFS Business ModelerT, a graphical tool for modeling business processes. The rollout will then get underway, first in Morocco with the logistics, manufacturing, and accounting components. In Germany, IFS Applications will be rolled out gradually, starting with accounting and workforce management components. The remaining implementation projects will follow a year later. Schlemmer will make use of IFS Applications' component architecture to divide the rollout into a series of subprojects, enabling it to enjoy the benefits of a standardized, demand-based, step-by-step implementation.

To automate electronic data interchange (EDI) within its supplier network, Schlemmer will also implement IFS' new automotive supply chain solution. The software fulfills the recommendations of Germany's VDA automotive industry association on delivery handling and will guarantee Schlemmer swift and precise material and value flow at all levels. To that end, customers, suppliers, international production sites, and subsidiaries will all be integrated into the system. The automation of the data interchange process will help Schlemmer to meet ever-increasing market requirements and ever- tighter delivery deadlines.

The automotive industry is one of IFS' targeted market segments. IFS' automotive solution provides the right tools for managing the interaction between automotive dealers, automotive OEMs, automotive suppliers, and subcontractors in networks of varying complexity.

Many leading automotive companies are using IFS' automotive solution, including Volvo, BMW, London Taxis, Scania, Avestor, Sanden Corporation, Borgstena, Nolato Group, Toyota, MG Rover, and Finnveden Group.

Schlemmer GmbH is the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of cable protection, air and fluid, and mechatronic systems for the automotive industry, Tier 1 automotive suppliers, the manufacturing industry, wholesalers, and the mechanical engineering and shipbuilding sectors. Apart from its presence in Germany, where its headquarters and a production facility are located, Schlemmer has a global sales network consisting of production units, subsidiaries, branch offices, and partner companies in 26 countries. The company is part of the Hamburg-based Mackprang Group. For more information, visit http://www.schlemmer.com .

 

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