Precision tool instead of many lists

August Rüggeberg, headquartered in Marienheide, Germany, with six additional manufacturing sites in Germany and abroad and a worldwide distribution network, is a manufacturer of the internationally renowned Pferd tools. The product portfolio includes files, milling and mounted points, diamond and CBN tools.

The company always has its eye on the economic optimum - also in the continuous improvement of its own SAP-ERP-based logistics and production processes.

Since the leveraging of optimization potentials is an essential adjusting screw, the company did not hesitate for long when it became aware of the GIB Dispo Cockpit at the GIB Success Days, an event organized by the Siegen-based software manufacturer.

The decisive factor was a supply chain that was too opaque:

"On our to-do list was the establishment of continuous inventory controlling as well as transparent and traceable production reporting and controlling."

recalls Olaf Theunissen, Head of Inventory Management at Rüggeberg.

"However, the top priority was definitely the classification of the articles and the optimization of the material master data or the set of rules.

Due to different lists and Excel tables as well as various interface problems caused by a non-SAP logistics tool, we were struggling with intransparency in the processes and the key figures.

This meant, for example, that we could hardly define and apply sustainable processes for newly added or changing articles."

For the tool manufacturer, the GIB Dispo-Cockpit, as an SAP-certified add-on, not only meant an end to the tiresome interface problems: as a higher-level tool, it supports all logistical processes, so that there is no need for tedious jumping back and forth between different transactions, platforms or Excel tables.

Whereas logistical key figures could previously only be queried at the toolmaker in a very time-consuming manner, this is now possible with just a few clicks after the introduction of the disposition cockpit; all logistical key figures can be quickly determined and clearly visualized.

The DC modules Operations and Controlling were implemented worldwide across all plants. Thanks to individual user layouts and predefined standard layouts, all relevant scheduling information, such as material master data, requirements and consumption, or manufacturing and production order information, can now be called up in a targeted and time-saving manner to make the right decisions.

Also the display of simulative demand quantities or a simulation of the receipt situation is possible with the DC module Controlling. Especially in interaction, the 6 modules from the Dispo Cockpit family show themselves as a highly efficient tool that enables transparent processes.

Remarkable synergies have already become apparent in the use of the Controlling and Operations modules, reports Theunissen.

"All our requirements were met. We are very satisfied with the Dispo Cockpit and with how GIB implemented it, including the initial workshop and technical training.

I especially liked that she was very flexible in all steps of project planning and implementation."

The tool manufacturer plans to roll out the SAP-integrated modules at additional sites.

Abap programming templates

In addition, with the Abap programming templates, Rüggeberg benefits from another efficiency booster developed by GIB.

The Abap programming templates facilitate and optimize work in Abap, the main language in SAP. As a modification-free add-on integrated in SAP, the programming templates act as a template and include all ALV control techniques.

This allows the tool manufacturer's IT professionals to make specific enhancements and adjustments to the company's own SAP system in a minimum of time.

Conclusion:

As a precision tool for an optimized supply chain, the Dispo Cockpit provides the premium tool manufacturer with sustainably increased efficiency through more transparency in all logistical processes, while at the same time the use of Abap programming templates enables time- and cost-optimized individual adjustments in SAP.

In short: a set screw that was worth turning.