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Schréder: Realizing a personal customer approach with Microsoft Dynamics ERP

Manufacturing

Challenges

To create one integrated solution
Being able to quickly respond to changing market circumstances
The need to use the latest technologies

Results

Enhanced group level insights
Enhanced efficiency due to uniform processes
Enhanced productivity
Continuity, stability and security of applications

Solution & technology

"It is not an IT project, but a business transformation project in which IT plays a supporting role. It is first about rethinking our business model and then digitizing it in a second phase."

Schréder, a family owned business headquartered in Brussels, has been the leading independent public lighting solution provider worldwide for over 100 years and exports to more than 70 countries. Schréder is world leader in 'Lightability, bringing light to create safe and warm spaces where people can come together and enjoy beautiful architecture.

Under the influence of

the increasing variety of products
the growing demand for customization
the emerging demand for new smart products under the smart cities trend
and increasing globalization,

but also to optimize the customer experience, Schréder chose to change its business model. To maintain their strong position, it was crucial to invest in the digital transformation of their business processes. Schréder chose to define a new IT strategy with the cloud at its core and a focus on their 'customer intimate approach'. They chose Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Applications Platform (ERP and CRM) and its ecosystem to realize this.

Jean-Jacques van Gils, Group IT Director of Schréder, explains “We are moving more and more towards the cloud, in a 'Software as a Service' model, where the applications are continuously updated. We wanted to set up our own competence center so that we can maintain that SaaS model ourselves. And so in that context, Dynamics 365 was an obvious choice for us.”

The solution was gradually rolled out in the company and also implemented in the various countries where Schréder is active. About the next steps in the process Jean-Jacques van Gils continues: “Microsoft has a broad ecosystem in which we see many opportunities for the future. Just think of smart cities with the Internet of Things. The technology that Microsoft offers for this will enable integration with our back office.”

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