Based in Tampere, in southern Finland, Tamlans is a company specializing in commercial vehicle bodybuilding. Since 1998, they have equipped a wide range of mobility solutions, including minibuses, LCV’s as well as accessible, emergency and rescue vehicles. Struggling with an outdated ERP, Tamlans was looking for a more modern solution that could support their growing and evolving business needs.
Lack of usability, technology and support
For about 25 years, Tamlans used an ERP system that gradually became outdated in terms of usability and technology, lacking in ability of being updated or developed according to the needs. The team was facing issues with product information, handling of components and work instructions as well as purchase tools. Additionally, the support for business processes was inadequate, leading to inefficiencies and frustration among employees. Moreover, there was no option for mobile or remote work with the interface, which was becoming increasingly necessary.
On the other hand, various auxiliary tools were used such as Excel, a reporting system and a time-tracking solution.
Considering all these complexities and taking into account the uncertainty regarding support and updates for the previously used ERP, Tamlans decided to look for a more modern solution able to fulfill the needs of the company and streamline the workflows. About 10 softwares have been considered, but only three of them were matching the business processes and requirements specifications. After a thorough analysis of the demos and offers received and several conversations with the providers, Tamlans chose to proceed with Odoo’s ERP. The decision was based on cost-effectiveness, customization possibilities, system versatility and flexibility regarding developments for special needs Tamlans might have in the future, which Odoo could provide.
Transitioning smoothly to a new ERP
In 2023, Tamlans installed and configured Odoo’s ERP with the precious help of the implementation partner SprintIT. The process was comprehensive and well-structured, thanks to preparation several years before the actual move, which organized the mapping in collaboration with Tampere University of Technology, including:
- A current state analysis
- An identification of gaps and development needs
- A definition of system requirements
- A carefully planned and phased adoption to minimize employee workload
The role of the implementation partner SprintIT has been key to guide the company through the technical aspects and necessary tweaks to adapt the processes to the new system. Critical components of the project, training sessions and data preparation have been organized to ensure a smooth transition to Odoo. Furthermore, the process has been completed within budget and on schedule. SprintIT made sure to communicate, manage and anticipate as much as possible to avoid major technical issues or workload on the employees.
Centralizing operations in an all-in-one platform that saved 130 days a year for the team
Odoo has provided Tamlans with a modern, user-friendly interface that is easily accessible from various devices, anywhere, allowing both office and home working. The 14-person team in sales, production and administration has saved approximately 130 working days per year by eliminating some manual entries, automating certain tasks and simplifying information access.
Supporting continuous updates, the platform better aligns with the company’s business processes, offering the following benefits:
Enhanced quality and efficiency of operations thanks to the product configurator and the improved data management across the entire order-to-delivery chain
Streamlined processes through automated procurement suggestions and more effective inventory management system
Improved sales and production planning by configuring products accurately and efficiently
Reduced errors because of the overall improvement in data quality
More dynamic and responsive business environment induced by the cultural shift towards modern technology and continuous improvement
Centralized data that are up to date and accessible easily for all employees, enabling them to serve existing customers better
All the improvements made have led to higher data quality, smoother operations and increased employee satisfaction. The time saved has been used to find and contact new customers, launch new products and improve the customer experience. Internal communication and collaboration have considerably improved, even beyond initial expectations. Today, employees express global satisfaction regarding this software transition - which is particularly appropriate for agile and eager to develop companies. The benefits of using Odoo’s ERP have led to pursuing growth and serving the existing customers better.
A flexible company management system
Odoo offers an ERP that is flexible and adaptable to meet evolving business needs. This is key for a company such as Tamlans that is constantly searching for efficiency improvements in all the workflows. All that while staying within budget and avoiding extra workload during the transition, and meeting project goals once implemented.
