Upgrading IFS Applications 9 to IFS Cloud ERP software

Client background

A leading refrigeration solution provider needed an optimized solution to combine processes and smooth business processes. Creating bespoke refrigeration systems, the business covers all aspects of development, including design, manufacturing, supply and installation and maintenance and support. Their key markets cover food processing, chemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, marine, cold storage, district heating, retail and the leisure industries.

Business challenge

Prior to using IFS Applications 9, the manufacturer used a different enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that didn’t service all areas of the business. This became an issue for business operations when different areas of the business were fragmented from each other, leading to a lack of control within departments. With areas of the business having little crossover, departments each suffered from a lack of visibility and disjointed processes and systems. The purchasing department had little spend controls in place, so team members had no visibility or real-time information on budgets, total cost or spending.

Having originally worked with Baker Tilly back in October 2017 on their initial IFS Applications 9 implementation, deciding to upgrade to IFS Cloud came from the continuation and support offered from Baker Tilly. Upgrading to IFS Cloud enabled the move to an ERP solution that wouldn’t require further upgrades or implementations. They could migrate to the Cloud during the quieter periods and complete the upgrade in the background of business-as-usual.

Strategy and solution

Implementing IFS Cloud provided the manufacturer with controls and processes to help provide full transparency. With total access to different areas of the business using IFS lobbies, tiles and processes, it provided everyone within each department with the information they needed in real-time. Improved cost-control from the purchasing department led to cost savings as well as the option for centralized purchasing across the business with better visibility. IFS enabled automation of day-to-day purchasing requirements, ensuring their decision-making is effective and accurate.

Customer orders have seen huge control benefits with IFS Cloud; recording the sale, inventory, shipment, warranty information and location of orders, with a significant reduction in duplication and monotonous tasks for staff. Returns from customers can be simply managed with a system that provides all the information required on the items warranty before offering a solution for the customer.

A major benefit of IFS Cloud is the efficiency of the interactive dashboards, which enables full control of the business directly from the IFS platform. Senior management can share figures and information directly with employees through the system, and employees can find the information they need instantly.

Looking to the future, IFS Cloud can be integrated alongside artificial intelligence (AI) to further advance business processes and reduce even more unnecessary waste. IFS Cloud allows for further future development, allowing the question “what else can we do to improve processes?” to provide the business with further savings and optimization.

Upgrade to the Cloud

Looking to upgrade to IFS Cloud? Baker Tilly works with your business to plan, analyze, design, build, test, implement and support your seamless journey to upgrade. With more than a decade of experience implementing IFS Cloud solutions, across different industries, we can help your business optimize your ERP solution. Find out more: IFS Cloud Upgrade