Ready for the future
XAL GmbH
The customer
XAL is an innovative premium manufacturer of luminaires. For over 35 years, the company has been working with architects, designers and planners to develop individual, stylish and aesthetic luminaires at the highest technical level. With around 1500 employees and 30 international locations, XAL offers a high level of customer service. XAL is an expert in technologically and qualitatively leading lighting solutions and illuminates retail shops, modern office buildings, exclusive hotels, restaurants and private homes worldwide. Thanks to organisational efficiency and a high level of in-house vertical integration, XAL can respond to individual customer requirements and continuously expand its product portfolio.
The challenge
XAL is a dynamic company with a high level of vertical integration and internationally networked production sites. Success is based on the number of order lines, not on large order volumes. Automation of administrative processes, close networking of sales, production and logistics and constantly up-to-date resource and procurement planning across all global locations are therefore essential. A well thought-out rollout concept is also important in order to avoid downtime in production and logistics.
The solution
Together with XAL, we analysed the core processes and developed solutions for the new Dynamics AX ERP system. Our network of partners and our expertise in dealing with various software solutions enabled us to create a customised implementation concept. Particular attention was paid to automating the process chain for the UNICO product series. This includes configuration on the web, automated logistics systems, the use of assembly robots and robot-assisted checking and booking of shipping documents and invoicing. The rollout of 17 companies took place in two stages within 6 months: first the sales subsidiaries and partners, then the production sites with all directly connected sales companies. This enabled a fully automated process from customer configuration on the website to dispatch via the new ERP system.
The result
Since the introduction of Dynamics AX, order throughput times have improved significantly. In addition, on-time delivery has increased considerably and costs have been reduced. Thanks to efficient rollout planning, production continued to run almost smoothly during the changeover.
The feedback
"As an international manufacturing company, we had a competent partner in xalax for the Dynamics AX implementation project with a great deal of detailed experience in the design and implementation of production and logistics processes. The introduction of a new ERP system is one of the biggest challenges facing any company. With the xalax employees, we were not only able to master the go-lives at all our international locations, but also better organise and harmonise the processes for the future."
Martin Dlaska, Managing Director XAL GmbH
Success stories
Where goals
become reality