IFS has announced that Bucher Emhart Glass will implement IFS Applications and replace BPCS a legacy Infor solution. The Swiss headquartered multinational company opted for IFS after a selection process that looked at several options.
These are likely to have include the latest Infor manufacturing solutions and Microsoft Dynamics AX, which sister company Bucher Municipal already use.
Reto Semadeni, Vice President Finance at Bucher Emhart Glass commented: “We believe that our operational business is optimally supported by the IFS solution. We see significant productivity improvements, especially in the international project business.
“The modern technology and ease of use of IFS applications will help us to significantly improve our performance in all areas of the business. Thanks to its international orientation, IFS is also represented locally in our core regions and is therefore excellently positioned in the market.”
Substantial win for IFS
This is a significant win for IFS. Bucher Emhart Glass are the global market leader in glass container manufacturing and inspection technologies. The implementation will cover 800 users across eight countries: Switzerland, Sweden, Malaysia, the USA, Italy, Germany, Singapore and Japan.
Bucher Emhart Glass will take advantage of the role-based user interfaces. This includes functionality such as IFS Lobby. It will also use the IFS mobile functionality. There was no mention, however, of whether it will implement the ERP solution in the cloud. The new ERP will support: product development, supply chain, production, projects, quality management, sales and service, maintenance, human resources, accounting and business intelligence. BPCS will be fully replaced as part of the project.
This will be an interesting project to follow. One question is will IFS integrate its software into the Flexis manufacturing control systems that Bucher Emhart Glass use? IFS has also developed IoT solutions for manufacturers Bucher Emhart that may leverage this in the future.
What does it mean
For IFS this is a great start to 2018. Announcing a significant competitive customer win gives the company a filip for the months ahead. Peter Höhne, Vice President Sales & Marketing IFS Europe Central commented: “Bucher Emhart Glass is an important new customer for IFS, once again demonstrating the great solution competence of IFS Applications for companies with complex international manufacturing processes. We look forward to the start of the project and a longstanding and successful partnership.“
Bucher Enhart are beginning the trasformation of their IT systems. There is no information around the phasing and timings of the project. If it goes well it might lead to further business for IFS. Bucher Emhart Glass are part of Bucher Industries. Another member of the group Bucher Hydraulics currently uses JD Edwards. IFS will hope to successfully implementation at Bucher Emhart Glass to persuade other companies in the group to select them.
