Timberjack Streamlines Operations With The Help Of IFS Applications
The installation of IFS Applications at its global facilities was a central feature of Timberjack's long-term strategy to streamline its production and distribution processes. IFS Applications will provide a complete groupwide order-to-delivery process for forest machines, enabling increased flexibility, shorter lead times and lower production overheads. Smoother information exchange and simplified work routines are further benefits that will help Timberjack to maintain its position as the world's leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of purpose-built forest machines.
The Problem
With operations extending from North America to Southeast Asia, Timberjack realized major improvements could be achieved by installing a global information system. As it was, different systems were in use in different parts of the world, making information exchange unwieldy and work routines unnecessarily complex. The fact that the systems were not integrated meant that the same data were keyed in more than once, with the ensuing problems and the possibility that mistakes could be made. In addition, the system did not allow design teams in Europe to communicate electronically with their counterparts in North America. An integrated system enabling Timberjack to link up its production facilities in Sweden, Finland, and North America with each other and with its Continental Distribution Centers in the Americas, Asia and Europe would save time, increase efficiency, and ultimately improve customer service.
The Solution
Timberjack defined the specifications for the new system, with a detailed list of criteria that would have to be fulfilled by prospective suppliers. As Timberjack wanted a lasting relationship with its ERP provider, the financial position and vision of the suppliers were carefully examined. After running pilot studies on site, Timberjack selected IFS Applications. The structure of IFS was clearly future oriented, with its agile component-based architecture. In particular, IFS/Sales Configurator was an important factor in opting for IFS. As Lennart Jansson, global project manager, said, "IFS understood our business style. Our products are also component-based. With IFS, you can choose whichever system or combination of systems you like."
Implementation
After three months, the implementation at the plant in Birmingham, AL was complete. This was followed by the plants in Woodstock, ON, and Joensuu, Finland some months later. The projects were very intensive, with the "target constantly moving," as Jansson described it. However, as IFS project groups installed the system, it was always possible to discuss and tackle problems as they arose. Upgrading of the Filipstad, Sweden plant began in March 1999.
Benefits
IFS Applications will support Timberjack's global supply chain, resulting in better collaboration between its manufacturing units globally and standardized routines at all its sites. The whole chain, from suppliers, engineering and design, manufacturing, distribution to after sales, will now be handled with one common solution. The idea is to deal as much as possible with one source in order to get higher quality and homogeneity, which is very much in line with the way Timberjack deals with its own customers.
In particular, Timberjack insisted on installing the IFS/Sales Configurator, which will enable it to secure a correct flow of information from customers through the entire engineering and manufacturing process – all the way to delivery. As Jansson explains, "By ensuring that the correct rules for configuring our products are used in the sales situation we start off on the right foot from the very beginning." This means that everyday decisions will be based on accurate, real-time information. Jansson continued, "The world we do business in is so dynamic that we can't afford to base our decisions on divergent information."
Facts About IFS Applications At Timberjack
With operations extending from North America to Southeast Asia, Timberjack realized that major improvements could be achieved by installing a global information system. As it was, different systems were in use in different parts of the world, making information exchange unwieldy and work routines unnecessarily complex. The fact that the systems were not integrated meant that the same data were keyed in more than once, with the ensuing problems and the possibility that mistakes could be made. In addition, the system did not allow design teams in Europe to communicate electronically with their counterparts in North America. An integrated system enabling Timberjack to link up its production facilities in Sweden, Finland, and North America with each other and with its Continental Distribution Centers in the Americas, Asia and Europe would save time, increase efficiency, and ultimately improve customer service.
Software
IFS Manufacturing, IFS Distribution, IFS Maintenance, IFS Financials, IFS/Document Management, IFS/Sales Configurator, Warranty Management System
Hardware
HP server
Workstations
HP PCs
Toshiba laptops
The Problem
With operations extending from North America to Southeast Asia, Timberjack realized major improvements could be achieved by installing a global information system. As it was, different systems were in use in different parts of the world, making information exchange unwieldy and work routines unnecessarily complex. The fact that the systems were not integrated meant that the same data were keyed in more than once, with the ensuing problems and the possibility that mistakes could be made. In addition, the system did not allow design teams in Europe to communicate electronically with their counterparts in North America. An integrated system enabling Timberjack to link up its production facilities in Sweden, Finland, and North America with each other and with its Continental Distribution Centers in the Americas, Asia and Europe would save time, increase efficiency, and ultimately improve customer service.
The Solution
Timberjack defined the specifications for the new system, with a detailed list of criteria that would have to be fulfilled by prospective suppliers. As Timberjack wanted a lasting relationship with its ERP provider, the financial position and vision of the suppliers were carefully examined. After running pilot studies on site, Timberjack selected IFS Applications. The structure of IFS was clearly future oriented, with its agile component-based architecture. In particular, IFS/Sales Configurator was an important factor in opting for IFS. As Lennart Jansson, global project manager, said, "IFS understood our business style. Our products are also component-based. With IFS, you can choose whichever system or combination of systems you like."
Implementation
After three months, the implementation at the plant in Birmingham, AL was complete. This was followed by the plants in Woodstock, ON, and Joensuu, Finland some months later. The projects were very intensive, with the "target constantly moving," as Jansson described it. However, as IFS project groups installed the system, it was always possible to discuss and tackle problems as they arose. Upgrading of the Filipstad, Sweden plant began in March 1999.
Benefits
IFS Applications will support Timberjack's global supply chain, resulting in better collaboration between its manufacturing units globally and standardized routines at all its sites. The whole chain, from suppliers, engineering and design, manufacturing, distribution to after sales, will now be handled with one common solution. The idea is to deal as much as possible with one source in order to get higher quality and homogeneity, which is very much in line with the way Timberjack deals with its own customers.
In particular, Timberjack insisted on installing the IFS/Sales Configurator, which will enable it to secure a correct flow of information from customers through the entire engineering and manufacturing process – all the way to delivery. As Jansson explains, "By ensuring that the correct rules for configuring our products are used in the sales situation we start off on the right foot from the very beginning." This means that everyday decisions will be based on accurate, real-time information. Jansson continued, "The world we do business in is so dynamic that we can't afford to base our decisions on divergent information."
Facts About IFS Applications At Timberjack
With operations extending from North America to Southeast Asia, Timberjack realized that major improvements could be achieved by installing a global information system. As it was, different systems were in use in different parts of the world, making information exchange unwieldy and work routines unnecessarily complex. The fact that the systems were not integrated meant that the same data were keyed in more than once, with the ensuing problems and the possibility that mistakes could be made. In addition, the system did not allow design teams in Europe to communicate electronically with their counterparts in North America. An integrated system enabling Timberjack to link up its production facilities in Sweden, Finland, and North America with each other and with its Continental Distribution Centers in the Americas, Asia and Europe would save time, increase efficiency, and ultimately improve customer service.
Software
IFS Manufacturing, IFS Distribution, IFS Maintenance, IFS Financials, IFS/Document Management, IFS/Sales Configurator, Warranty Management System
Hardware
HP server
Workstations
HP PCs
Toshiba laptops
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