9A Advanced Manufacturing for F&SCM
A manufacturing industry-specific accelerator extending Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management.
Case Study: Locinox
Case Study: LocinoxWith 37 years of experience, Locinox has grown into a leading player in the gate and fencing industry. From mechanical locks to innovative access control systems, the company offers a wide range of products that are shipped worldwide from their headquarters in Waregem and their branches in Chicago and Poland. Innovation and teamwork are central to their core values, as CIO Stijn Claeys emphasizes: “Together with the team, we make a difference and aim to raise the bar every time with innovative products and services.”
Preparing for further growth
The recent strong growth of Locinox brought some fundamental challenges that urgently needed to be addressed. “One of the biggest hurdles was the lack of space in the warehouse, which started to hinder the company’s growth. Additionally, the existing ERP system was outdated and no longer future-proof,” Stijn explains.
“Furthermore, a lack of integration between ERP and PLM caused inefficiencies. Since PLM wasn’t connected to ERP, we had to deal with double data management.” There was also a lack of uniform item numbers, which, according to Stijn, creates challenges for automation with AI and EDI.
The challenges for Locinox
Further growth
The warehouse could no longer support the growth.
Outdated ERP system
A platform that went out of service and was not future-proof.
Lack of integration
ERP and PLM didn’t work together, leading to duplicate data entry and inefficiency.
Automation
The current item numbers made it challenging to further automate processes.
“Replacing the ERP system is like open-heart surgery. You're not just replacing the heart, but also ensuring all the connections are properly made.”
Stijn Claeys - CIO at Locinox
The project Locinox 4.0
Locinox lanceerde Locinox 4.0 om deze uitdagingen aan te pakken. Stijn vat het als volgt samen: “Locinox 4.0 was bedoeld om ons klaar te stomen voor verdere groei. Aan de ene kant bouwden we een future state-of-the-art magazijn, en aan de andere kant vernieuwden we al onze IT-platformen, zoals ERP, CRM, PIM, webshop en PLM.” Het hele project was gericht op schaalbaarheid en efficiëntie.
Het doel was duidelijk: een slimme fabriek bouwen, ondersteund door sterke digitale systemen. “Locinox 4.0 was meer dan een IT-project; het stond symbool voor onze strategie om een futureproof bedrijf te worden. Onze unieke itemnummers van 8 cijfers zijn daar een mooi voorbeeld van. Ze maken het makkelijker om verder te automatiseren.”, legt Stijn uit.
The crucial role of ERP
According to Stijn, the ERP system is literally the beating heart of the company. “It’s the backbone that supports all our processes,” he says. “But just like with open-heart surgery, when replacing our ERP, we also had to renew all our connections to other systems like PIM, PLM, and CRM.”
“We chose to work as much as possible with Microsoft’s standard functionalities and avoid customizations,” Stijn explains. “This way, upgrades can be done easily, and we remain flexible.”
Stijn also compares the ERP overhaul to adjusting the foundation of a building. “We had a foundation for a villa, but our level of ambition demands the foundation of a skyscraper. Thanks to this new ERP system, we now have the right foundation to build on,” he says.
The digital common thread
Locinox is striving for an overarching digital strategy. “The digital common thread means that all systems work seamlessly together,” says Stijn. “You want to enter data only once and then use it efficiently across all departments.”
The new digital landscape at Locinox combines Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management with other platforms such as PTC Windchill, Microsoft’s CRM solutions, Perfion as a PIM system, and Sana as a web portal. “The ERP and PLM systems are linked through a standard connector from 9altitudes. Additionally, we chose the Microsoft stack because it naturally integrates well and is scalable,” Stijn explains. “9altitudes set up all the integrations.”
"Completing such a global project without business impact is an achievement we can all be proud of together."
Stijn Claeys - CIO at Locinox
The tight deadline and scope
Locinox was under significant time pressure. “We had a strict deadline because our ERP needed to go live before our new automated warehouse could be operational,” Stijn explains. Despite this challenging timeline, the global “big bang” go-live went smoothly. “Our customers didn’t notice a thing during the transition, which is impressive for projects of this complexity,” he says.
The project’s success was due to a combination of internal collaboration and the flexibility of 9altitudes. “Thanks to the flexibility of our partner, we were able to meet deadlines without compromising on quality,” Stijn adds. “Completing such a global project without any business impact is an achievement we can all be proud of.”
The results for Locinox
Integrated systems
Seamlessly integrated ERP with other systems like PLM for more efficient processes and digitalization.
Automation
8-digit unique item numbers that support scalable processes.
Continuity
No impact on customers during the transition.
Future-proof platform
A solid foundation for the growth and adoption of AI technologies, EDI, and order automation.
Digital Project of the Year Award
The scale and complexity of Locinox 4.0 have garnered recognition from the industry, culminating in the Digital Project of the Year Award 2024 in the category of large projects. “Winning this award means a lot to us,” says Stijn. “It not only highlights the hard work everyone put into the project but also our vision to keep innovating. It also emphasizes how challenging this project was, with multiple partners, a broad scope, and tight deadlines.”
Stijn sees this award as an inspiration for the future. “It really gives our team a boost to continue on this path and deliver even more innovative projects,” he says.
Collaboration
Locinox relied on the years of expertise of strategic partner 9altitudes for the realization of Locinox 4.0. “9altitudes knows us inside and out, which made them the logical choice for this project,” says Stijn. “Their experienced consultants not only helped us replace the ERP system but also managed all the necessary integrations with PLM, PIM, webshop, and CRM.”
The partnership between Locinox and 9altitudes, which has lasted more than 15 years, was a key factor in the success thanks to a focus on standardization and flexibility. “The keyword was trust,” says Stijn.
What does the future hold for Locinox?
Locinox's expansion continues with a strong focus on further automation and digitalization. “We’re exploring how AI and EDI can assist us with order entry and how we can enhance our digital customer experience,” Stijn explains. With plans to launch an innovative web portal and automate more processes, Locinox remains committed to building a sustainable platform for long-term growth. “We’ve laid the foundation for a skyscraper, and now we’re building upward,” he concludes.
Together with 9altitudes, Locinox is ready to reach new heights – on solid digital foundations! Curious about how you can strengthen your business digitally?
Services and solutions used
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance
Increase the efficiency of your financial processes with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance, the leading financial management platform.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales helps your sales team work more efficiently and close more deals. With AI and automation, you can improve customer relationships and optimize sales processes.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management offers a powerful suite of tools that help companies optimize the complete management of their supply chain.
About Locinox
With 37 years of experience, Locinox has grown into a leading player in the gate and fencing industry. From mechanical locks to innovative access control systems, the company offers a wide range of products that are distributed worldwide from their headquarters in Waregem and their branches in Chicago and Poland. Innovation and teamwork are central to their company values.
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