The enablers: experts at ALSO

A firm grip on the supply chain

Supply Chain Processes - that sounds like no-nonsense. One might assume that the colleagues can’t take a joke, and at least when it comes to the supply chain, that is absolutely right. After all, the availability of goods and the delivery reliability of orders are crucial not only for ALSO, but also for all the retailers, etailers, and resellers whose customers are waiting for computers, smartphones, servers, or other IT hardware. The smoother the flow along the supply chain, the faster the turnover of goods, the better the reliability and accuracy of deliveries, the greater the efficiency, the more profitable the business. For everyone involved.

It is often the small things that have a big impact. A concrete example: delivery dates. Correct delivery dates are enormously important for ALSO's customers, whether it's a multi-million IT project or a new smartphone for an end customer. To ensure that ALSO and its customers have up-to-date and reliable information about the date of delivery, the Supply Chain Processes team has come up with a solution that is as simple as it is ingenious: AORMI. This stands for Automatic Order Response Mail Import - yes, the abbreviation simplifies things considerably. What is means is that with the AORMI purchasing process, data from supplier e-mails is automatically imported into the ALSO SAP system. In addition to order responses, this can also include electronic delivery notes or pro forma invoices.

In cooperation with the ebis team, all proven experts in the field of electronic data interchange (EDI), an application was developed in international collaboration that converts data from different sources into an SAP-readable format. And it does this regardless of whether the data comes from a program or is just simply described in the mail. Within a few days, colleagues can set up an AORMI connection.

The advantages are obvious:

• Valuable information with current delivery dates is immediately available to customers
• The ability to plan correctly increases for all involved
• The purchasers are relieved because they no longer have to maintain the data manually.

A triple win for manufacturers, customers and ALSO – lean processes, predictable supply chain, satisfied customers.

However, the experts in the Supply Chain Processes team have much broader areas of responsibility. These include, among others:

• Automation and optimization of work processes
• Implementation of new software solutions and tools
• Expansion of electronic supplier connections
• SAP first level support for the area of materials management
• Project management and organization
• Provision of process documentation and workflows

If you ask the team what is most important for their job, they spontaneously name two things: analytical thinking and an open mind. This combination not only ensures that, for example, own e-learning trainings and videos including knowledge quizzes are created within the team, but also that fun and teambuilding are not neglected. With so many new topics, it is crucial that knowledge is shared, and solutions are developed together. That's why team spirit is one of the most important elements in the Supply Chain Processes team.