Process efficiency - the key to success

In many areas Kurtz Ersa leads the way technologically, and in some cases is even the world market leader. The foundation for this claim is our vision that "Our technological advances optimise our customers′ manufacturing processes." In order to be able to produce products that are innovative, technologically advanced and in line with our customers′ quality expectations, we must ensure that all our business processes are precisely described and complied with.

Our management system is controlled by the definition of processes, which are implemented by means of the leading SAP ERP System. In this way we can ensure that business processes are implemented in a way that is unified worldwide and corresponds to the definitions - in the Moulding Machines and Electronics Production Equipment divisions, in our foundries and in thin sheet technology; in China, America and our sites throughout Germany.

Streamlined, efficient processes

To ensure that our processes are as streamlined and efficient as possible, we rely to a great extent on electronic processes. Our i-CCS quotation management and CRM system uses an integrated product configurator. Incoming orders, including parts lists, are transferred automatically to SAP. Once captured, jobs and orders are exchanged electronically with our business partners, whether customers or suppliers. In addition, internal and external suppliers are linked via the myOpenFactory exchange platform using the Electronic Data Interchange, abbreviated to EDI. The EDI rate in the group for 120,000 items is almost 80 per cent - and we gain 1.5 minutes per item. 

The electronic association of drawings with the order via document info records also means greater speed. And we also process incoming paper invoices electronically: they are scanned, automatically compared with the order and over 60 per cent of them booked by the automated system without manual intervention. In connection with document management we are talking about a total of 538,000 incoming documents, 125,000 outgoing documents, 72,000 customs documents and contracts from the Purchasing, Sales, Finance and Human Resources departments. The aim is to store incoming and outgoing documents in a paper-free system, to archive documents ready for audit in our D3 system and to have direct access to the archived documents by means of SAP transactions.

Self-service for employees
Our employees also benefit from the digital processing systems: leave applications are no longer sent with copies via the internal mail system, but entered directly into the SAP system and approved digitally. The "Employee Self Services" (ESS) enable employees and line managers to see the current status at any time. Various SAP mobile apps, for example relating to order approval, ESS or service applications, are then introduced. Stationary or mobile, with SAP Kurtz Ersa is always in control, by means of electronic processes, or the realisation of the group′s vision.