ERP responsibility belongs in the IT department, according to popular opinion. However, today it is about much more than software: the company idea, processes, employees and business partners - only those who understand all factors and are enthusiastic about their own products can make optimum use of an ERP solution. At Simtec Systems GmbH, this is administrative and production manager Philipp Hellwig. The aerospace engineer accompanied the introduction of the new PSIpenta ERP suite.

Simtec primarily builds real-time motion simulators for pilots and for tests at automotive manufacturers and suppliers. With flying theaters for the entertainment industry, Simtec creates entire worlds of movement, image and sound - all coordinated with each other. Examples include the driving simulator at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the ride through the sea of ice at Gelsenkirchen Zoo and entertainment simulators for up to 100 visitors. Increasing demand, particularly in the Asian market, has seen the company grow by leaps and bounds and meant that it was time for an ERP system that is more than just an IT tool.

Overview of data volumes

Every single Simtec product is highly complex: it takes one to two years to manufacture, and a large part of this is done by hand. Until a few years ago, individual orders were processed one after the other. Today, several projects run simultaneously. These are often small series, whereby systems that have already been planned and built are "rebuilt" with just a few customer-specific modifications. This is one of the main reasons why the entire planning process has changed. Suddenly it was worth standardizing processes: Due to the large number of inquiries, it had become increasingly difficult and in some cases impossible to compile the necessary data for planning and evaluation. It was therefore necessary to replace isolated solutions ranging from special software to manually created Excel spreadsheets and merge their functionalities. The introduction of an ERP system with which the data volume could be managed and used sensibly prevented the impending growth standstill. Hellwig formulated the following goals:

- Optimization of costing and inventory management,
- Ensuring the traceability of parts,
- resource planning and control,
- data integrity,
- secure implementation of agile development projects.

And, of course, the solution had to be user-friendly - also to ensure acceptance within the company. This is one of the reasons why it was logical and in line with today's ERP approach to appoint Hellwig, the head of manufacturing and administration, as project manager - not just an IT specialist, but an entrepreneurial and socially competent all-rounder who is full of ideas and energy and understands processes. As such, he was in a position to
formulate the technical requirements, prioritize them and communicate the result within the company.

Present and understand project business

Today, around half of Simtec's colleagues use PSIpenta and access data from all departments via the ERP suite; the replacement of the numerous individual solutions is also progressing as desired. With the new system from PSI Automotive & Industry, one-off production can now be managed in the same way as small series production. Production continues to be based solely on customer orders, which is why the focus is on the exact representation of the project business - from inquiry to development, procurement and production to billing, controlling and service. Other functionalities are also on board, including the option of using material lists to order so-called "long runners" or required test documents in good time.

At the top of the priority list was the requirement to seamlessly integrate the existing PDM system: This provides the ERP suite with articles and quantities in order to be able to create the production orders for the individual projects. Here, Simtec itself developed a customized form using PSI Click Design, on which all article and design-relevant information and properties are displayed. "We will examine and implement the options for individual surface design step by step," says Hellwig. The possible functions will be examined bit by bit and integrated if necessary.

ERP implementation is teamwork

The theoretical benefits of an ERP system have been sufficiently discussed - the practical benefits can only be fully realized with the right people. The more complex the project business, the more important it is that someone pulls the strings here who understands all products, processes and relationships, who can think from the perspective of employees and customers, who combines technical expertise with human interaction - Simtec is a prime example of this: Philipp Hellwig's team worked out the challenges precisely and not only found an efficient solution with the PSIpenta ERP suite, but also integrated it optimally into the company with the PSI consultants.

Simtec has reacted exactly right to the current challenges - and is well prepared for those of tomorrow. Jens Reeder, Head of the Industry Division at PSI Automotive & Industry