Digital transformation: centralized data management and improved reporting

Innowise has delivered a comprehensive digital transformation that centralized data management and reporting for a bridge manufacturer.

Customer

Industry

Construction

Region

Switzerland

Client since

2023

The client is a globally recognized manufacturer of seismic-resistant bridges headquartered in Switzerland and operating across 16 countries.

Detailed information about the client cannot be disclosed under the provisions of the NDA.

Challenge

Fragmented data management hinders collaboration between divisions

The primary challenge faced by the client was the lack of integration among various divisions’ IT systems worldwide. Each division managed operations using its own set of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, accounting, Human Resources (HR) systems, and other IT infrastructures.

This disjointed approach led to significant issues in data synchronization across the divisions that collaborate on projects spanning multiple countries. Each division maintained separate records, complicating analytics, reporting, and planning efforts. Furthermore, the reliance on manual data entry carries the risk of inaccuracies due to human error.

Solution

A comprehensive digital transformation to integrate isolated data sources with an automated decision-making system

In response to these challenges, the Innowise team conducted a comprehensive analysis of the client’s digital infrastructure in collaboration with their internal teams. This involved a detailed examination of each division’s operational and reporting procedures with a focus on finance management, project management, accounting, logistical structure, and HR management. Through this collaborative effort, we gained a deep understanding of the information flow within the organization and located bottlenecks.

Leveraging our expertise, we have compiled a digital transformation strategy centered on developing and deploying a data management and decision-making system based on Microsoft’s suite of tools. This multifaceted system includes several software layers that aggregate data from disparate digital systems across divisions into a unified database. This central repository facilitates efficient management and reporting by providing a consolidated view of information, addressing the previously mentioned challenges of data fragmentation and manual entry errors.

ERP integration and database centralization

The first step of a digital transformation was the creation of two software layers: the integration layer and the database.

The integration layer interacts with the existing ERP systems across the client’s divisions. It automatically pulls the data from systems, deduplicating entries to ensure the database only contains accurate, clean information.

The second layer is the database powered by Microsoft Azure. It stores streamlined data that other layers use to generate automated, comprehensive reports and insights for informed decision-making.

Prolect coordination and process automation

The next step included building the layers that coordinated project management and process automation.

We have implemented Microsoft Project Operations, establishing a clear set of protocols and requirements for project management. Additional features complement this tool to ensure adherence to local regulatory compliance standards across divisions. We have also integrated a finance management solution within this framework to support precise accounting and resource management during projects.

To automate processes within divisions, we have used Microsoft Power Apps to develop customized software solutions that leverage the centralized database and Project Operations data. These solutions automate various aspects of analysis and reporting, significantly reducing manual workload and improving the accuracy of project documentation and financial reports.

Technologies

Embedded

self-hosted integration runtime

Front-end

TypeScript, Power Apps, Power BI

Back-end

Python, ETL pipeline

ERP Sources

Microsoft Dynamics, Navision, SAP

Cloud

Azure SQL(MSSQL), Active Directory, Redis

VCS

Git, GitHub

DevOps

GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps

Process

To ensure the success of this ambitious digital transformation project, our development approach was meticulously planned and executed using the Scrum methodology. We organized the project into two-week sprints that enabled the team to address specific features and adjustments in a controlled, iterative manner.

Maintaining an open and collaborative relationship with the client was a key aspect of our development process. At the end of each sprint, we hosted demo sessions with the client’s team, during which we showcased progress, discussed potential improvements, and made necessary course corrections.

Beyond the scheduled demos, our team constantly communicated with the client’s representatives. This ongoing dialogue allowed us to promptly address any concerns, gather additional requirements, and integrate feedback in real time.

Team

Project Managers

Delivery Manager

Business Analysts

SMEs

DevSecOps Engineers

Enterprise Architect

Solution Architect

Data Architect

Compliance Engineer

Microsoft Project Operations consultants

Backend and Frontend Developers

Results

Streamlined collaboration, increased reporting speed, facilitated predictive analytics.

This comprehensive digital transformation initiative has enabled the client to revamp global operations and enhance collaboration across divisions. By leveraging our extensive experience and the capabilities of Microsoft’s technology ecosystem, we have addressed the critical challenges of data fragmentation and manual errors in project management. The result is a more agile, responsive, and data-driven workflow that positions the client to continue leading in seismic-resistant bridge manufacturing worldwide.

Project duration

September 2023 - Ongoing

15%

decreased expenses on software licensing

20%

increase in reports and predictive analytics generation

30%

reduction in manual finance operations

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