Dutch software developer switches gears

Liemar's ERP system gives project-based companies within steel and metal construction insight into the company, their projects and their operations. The consultancy company with offices in the Netherlands and Belgium is making the next step in paperless business with new functionalities such as the Werkhuis app for even more efficiency.

"We grant every steel builder or metal construction company peace of mind and insight," begins Niels Oudenaarden of Liemar. "We basically do that with our ERP solution LiemarX, but we provide much more than that, especially advice in the field of operational management. Without a vision, business awareness and practical knowledge and experience, you won't get the most out of an ERP solution. We take hold of companies as it were, analyze the processes, pay a lot of attention to Lean working and process optimization and in this way try to take a company a step further together. Not only during an implementation, but also in the period afterwards. In this way we bring companies into a mode of 'continuous improvement' instead of always changing. We also bring clients into contact with each other if desired. This not infrequently leads to interesting cross-connections."

LiemarX ERP software forms the basis of business operations. "We don't believe in a model where different software solutions and packages are tied together," Oudenaarden emphasizes. "No, then you have to switch with too many parties and you never get a system working optimally. What we do is link a number of modules to LiemarX to add specific functionalities such as planning, work preparation, invoice scanning, certificate management, and so on. These are modules that were developed by ourselves specifically for LiemarX and therefore fit seamlessly into the system. In the past, these tasks were all performed on a desktop, but in today's digital age, smartphones and tablets are becoming increasingly important. It offers opportunities not only to send information to people at the end of the chain (in the workshop or on the job site), but also to have a lot of information delivered back to them. There is a wealth of relevant steering information hidden there. Just think how much work takes place 'out-of-sight'. And then the feeling about how things are going often reigns, but the actual information with the corresponding insight is usually missing."

Unlocking information, such as drawings or 3D models in a workshop or on the job site is not very exciting from an IT technical point of view, Oudenaarden knows. "Retrieving information from users, on the other hand, is much more difficult. It is precisely this data that is crucial to gain steering with, and better insight from, an ERP solution. And that is exactly what we are aiming for with, among other things, the newly introduced Workplace app." The app supports people on the shop floor to relay information to LiemarX. It ensures that the software provides even more insight about business operations. Drawing work can be accessed via the app, but it also records hours, reports deviations and records progress. "We are only at the beginning in that respect. In the near future, we are going to add many more specific functionalities so that information in the ERP is always current and up-to-date. The Werkhuis app was developed together with a number of customers, extensively tested and is now available for deployment with our customers."

Oudenaarden notes that there is still an awful lot of potential in companies when it comes to visibility into business and project monitoring. "They don't see what they are missing because they stubbornly stick to the way they have been working for years. An ERP system is wasted on them, they think. It's a blind spot until we translate it into practical consequences. Our software often pays for itself after a year. Even for sole proprietors. So don't just look at what it costs, but more importantly what software will get you. Not only financially, but also in terms of time, peace of mind and overview. Because you can start working on your business and not in your business. Feel free to call one of our customers, they'll tell you the real story."

Liemar's ambition, therefore, is to continue its steady growth. "Because the need is great," Oudenaarden assures. "Recently, together with our customer Meco Metal, we provided a knowledge session about optimizing business processes and the added value of the right ERP software. This attracted more than 100 (!) interested parties. It shows how great the need is in the current market with all its uncertainties and challenges."