SAP integrated scheduling tool enables BIA planners to optimise resource management
BIA had previously implemented SAP ECC 6 ERP with SOA People and was aware that Ready4 Advanced Scheduling and SAP Work Manager would be a good fit, giving its planners a powerful dashboard that would support the daily workload activities of the technicians.
SOA People implemented Ready4 Advanced Scheduling, its powerful graphical planning resource tool, and SAP Work Manager both of which seamlessly integrate with the firm’s SAP ERP.
All work schedules are now synched directly onto SAP along with other related software. It enables the planners to view and track all repairs and maintenance, allocate time and spare parts, helpings to optimise resource management and save costs. SAP Business Objects is deployed for its reporting capability.
The BIA Group is a leader in the sale and maintenance of machinery for mining, civil engineering, recycling, handling, and power. With headquarters in Belgium, the company also operates in The Netherlands and in more than 20 African countries. It employs over 1400 people across the group, with more than 750 of these staff in engineering and technical roles.
At any one time, BIA has around 600 technicians working on the service, repair and maintenance for its mining and civil engineering equipment in Belgium, The Netherlands and across subsidiaries.
This involves a lot of daily co-ordination for the planners, including when and where a technician is required to be, what tools and spare parts they will need, as well as managing all the associated costs.
BIA’s existing scheduling tool was not integrated into the company’s SAP ERP and had been causing delays and additional admin for the planners to be able to manage the workload.
“SOA People really understood our needs and ensured Ready4 Advanced Scheduling was aligned to our specific requirements.”
Frederik Verstraeten, Business Process Manager, BIA