Ever since it was set up, Alisios has felt the need for an integrated ERP system that would allow it to monitor its performance and thereby immediately enhance the efficiency of its operational management.
Based on NetSuite's ERP solution, Air Reply developed for Alisios an integrated platform of scalable services that's capable of growing in parallel with the company's business – all within a rapid timescale and at a contained cost.
“Within just one month the system was up and running and we were fully operational. In fact, all system customisations for handling our business processes had been completed and all necessary data loaded to make us fully operational.”Ugo Ceppi, CEO - Alisios
Alisios is a young company that is emerging as a solid player in the field of renewable energy. The mission of Alisios is to provide systems for the use, management and storage of energy derived from renewable sources, selecting as its suppliers only prestigious partners with products based on advanced technology, characterised by excellent quality and simplicity of use.
Within its business model, Alisios's product-service combination provides a competitive advantage that can be shared with those installing its technology: specifically, a guarantee of efficiency and short lead-times along the supply chain thanks to the design and production of complete kits that include all plant-related accessories. Alisios's mission, therefore, lies in providing total reliability – from the single product used right through to the system made available to the end user.
In order to equip the new company with an ERP system that, while avoiding unnecessary delays or budget overruns, would enable it to computerise all of its business processes, Alisios was seeking a solution that would definitely include the following features: a centralised architecture, usable "as a service" at all of its sites and accessible from devices such as tablets and smartphones, while being configurable in line with both business and control-related needs.
The main criteria to fulfil were:
Thanks to its methodological approach, Air Reply demonstrated right from the first meetings that it was in line the company's vision. The AGILE method used in the project has, in fact, enabled Air Reply to share results immediately, allowing Alisios to fulfil its requirements, while safeguarding day-to-day working processes thanks to an architecture characterised by an absence of redundant technological layers or unusable silos.
The implementation of an AGILE information flow based on the NetSuite solution has enabled Alisios to minimise its investments in IT during its start-up phase. At the same time, the solution will be capable of supporting the company as its turnover grows, while still giving it control of all critical areas arising from the more complex workflows involved.
Furthermore, the fact that Alisios can consult data that are constantly updated and consolidated within a single system has enhanced its ability to "oversee" key areas, such as its sales to distributors and the management of its agents.
Ultimately, thanks to the increased efficiency of the entire sales process, the company has been able to cut the time needed for order processing, ensuring that products can be shipped within 24 hours of receiving the order.
After carefully analysing the options for an optimum management solution, Alisios decided to commission Air Reply to implement an integrated ERP system for the company based on NetSuite. The choice was motivated by the high technological content of the application, the speed of implementation offered by the system, with no need for a technological infrastructure, and by the possibility of adapting the system configuration in line with future business growth.
The familiarity and ease of use offered by NetSuite enabled the company to implement the new system quickly. This has helped Alisios to introduce new business processes that ensure synergy between all aspects of its operations.
Air Reply's implementation of the project was characterised by the values of teamwork and efficient organisation. During the project cycle, particular attention was given to:
The project, which began in October 2014, moved to complete implementation and "go live", with all processes up and running, by November of the same year.