Light metal and access technology expert Hymer successfully aligns its enterprise software for the future with an upgrade to IFS Applications 10

Light metal and access technology expert Hymer successfully aligns its enterprise software for the future with an upgrade to IFS Applications 10

The system that had grown over several years in the IFS Applications 8 environment, used by Hymer-Leichtmetallbau GmbH Co. KG since 2001, was successfully and sustainably adapted through a version upgrade project, accompanied by IFS partner FLEXiCODE, and functionally expanded to meet the growing demands of digitalization.

As early as 2001, Hymer-Leichtmetallbau relied on the ERP solution from IFS and completely replaced its previous enterprise software with IFS Applications. Most recently, the company had been using IFS Applications Version 8 for mapping its business processes for years. With an eye on the future and global competition, Hymer decided to invest in several digitalization topics in autumn 2021. Due to the continuously evolving and complex production and business processes, the possibility of an upgrade to IFS Applications 10 was also considered. After joint discussions and comprehensive digitalization consulting by FLEXiCODE, the leading manufacturer of access technology and automotive system components decided to switch to IFS Applications 10 due to its extended, modern functionalities.

About Hymer-Leichtmetallbau GmbH Co. KG

Hymer-Leichtmetallbau GmbH Co. KG is a leading manufacturer of access technology and automotive system components. The product portfolio includes the two business areas HYMER Vehicle Technology and HYMER Access Technology, including custom-made special constructions in the field of stairs, platforms and maintenance platforms. For over 60 years, Hymer products have stood for excellent processing quality and durability, innovative functionality and above all a high degree of safety. The company, headquartered in Wangen (Germany), mainly serves customers from the industrial and trade sectors and distributes its products through specialized dealers in European markets, the Near and Middle East and Central Asia.

© HYMER-Leichtmetallbau GmbH Co. KG

As early as 2001, Hymer-Leichtmetallbau relied on the ERP solution from IFS and completely replaced its previous enterprise software with IFS Applications. Most recently, the company had been using IFS Applications Version 8 for mapping its business processes for years. With an eye on the future and global competition, Hymer decided to invest in several digitalization topics in autumn 2021. Due to the continuously evolving and complex production and business processes, the possibility of an upgrade to IFS Applications 10 was also considered.

After joint discussions and comprehensive digitalization consulting by FLEXiCODE, the leading manufacturer of access technology and automotive system components decided to switch to IFS Applications 10 due to its extended, modern functionalities.

About Hymer-Leichtmetallbau GmbH Co. KG

Hymer-Leichtmetallbau GmbH Co. KG is a leading manufacturer of access technology and automotive system components. The product portfolio includes the two business areas HYMER Vehicle Technology and HYMER Access Technology, including custom-made special constructions in the field of stairs, platforms and maintenance platforms. For over 60 years, Hymer products have stood for excellent processing quality and durability, innovative functionality and above all a high degree of safety. The company, headquartered in Wangen (Germany), mainly serves customers from the industrial and trade sectors and distributes its products through specialized dealers in European markets, the Near and Middle East and Central Asia.

© HYMER-Leichtmetallbau GmbH Co. KG

In close cooperation with the customer, FLEXiCODE managed to upgrade the deeply integrated previous IFS Applications Version 8 to Version 10 within twelve months with a successful go-live, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for further planned digitalization steps of Hymer-Leichtmetallbau GmbH Co. KG. As a full-service provider, FLEXiCODE will support the company in the future in the areas of Customer Care and Consulting Services, thus fully covering the support requirements of Hymer-Leichtmetallbau.

Higher efficiency through unified system and integration of new components

Hymer-Leichtmetallbau’s decision at the time to replace their previously used enterprise software with IFS Applications had various reasons. In addition to mapping all cross-company business processes from the core areas of production, logistics, finance and human resources on a single IT platform, Hymer particularly appreciated the system’s international orientation, including various customer functionalities from which the company could benefit in terms of JIT and JIS deliveries. The integration of IFS’s Automotive Supply Chain component in 2008 brought further relief and adaptations to the continuously evolving production requirements and processes. As a further positive consequence, Hymer was able to demonstrably reduce the workload for manual data handling and save personnel capacities.

Future-oriented upgrade and comprehensive support

In autumn 2021, as part of digitalization, Hymer-Leichtmetallbau was looking for future-oriented optimization possibilities for its business processes. The goal was to find a software solution that would make the company competitive for all future global challenges through high agility and flexibility. Together with FLEXiCODE, the upgrade to IFS Applications Version 10 was decided. A decisive advantage was the Layered Application Architecture (LAA), which separates customer adjustments from the standard and enables easier and more efficient implementation of updates and upgrades in the future. This ensures long-term and future-proof operations with optimal business processes while simultaneously implementing a system that paves the technical way for further digitalization steps for the company.
A particular challenge in the course of the upgrade project was the country-specific automotive extension of IFS, which Hymer used in addition to the standard of Version 8. To realize an all-around optimal and customer-specific solution, additional data migrations by FLEXiCODE’s ERP experts were necessary in addition to the upgrade scripts from Version 8 to Version 10:
Through intensive support and careful testing – especially in the areas of sales and shipping, FLEXiCODE was able to successfully go live with the upgrade together with the customer and comprehensively map Hymer-Leichtmetallbau’s business processes in IFS Applications Version 10. Additionally, as part of the upgrade, the number of customer adjustments was reduced and further necessary system adjustments were carried out locally by FLEXiCODE’s development team with the highest quality. FLEXiCODE will continue to stand by its customer’s side as a guide and advisor, supporting the next steps of an individually developed digitalization strategy with broad expertise.

"On behalf of Hymer, I would like to thank you for the intensive support and successful realization of the go-live. We have come to know and appreciate FLEXiCODE and the supporting employees for their extensive know-how, great wealth of experience and not least their pronounced service orientation and we look forward to further successful cooperation."

Jochen Kirchner, Geschäftsführer der Hymer-Leichtmetallbau GmbH & Co. KG

Long-term digitalization partner at eye level

FLEXiCODE is characterized by its customer proximity and the associated partnership-based and long-term cooperation. Together and on absolute equal footing with the customer, tailored solutions are created that are always oriented towards customer benefit and meet the requirements of individual business processes. In the case of Hymer-Leichtmetallbau, the project implementation was carried out to the complete satisfaction of the customer.

Looking ahead, the FLEXiCODE team led by managing directors Lorenz Wiederer and Carolin Scheifl will support Hymer as a full-service provider in implementing further digitalization steps.

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