HOMAG Case Study: Global technician deployment planning with Visual Planning

Background: The previous resource planning system was holding back the service

HOMAG had introduced Microsoft CRM in 2008. According to the company, the calendar-style planning feature included in the system was not suitable for scheduling service technicians. The solution was too slow, had limited functionality and led to significant dissatisfaction amongst users.

They were therefore looking for a clear and concise resource planning solution that could be integrated into the existing system landscape and cover a variety of planning scenarios.

Selection: A direct comparison of three providers

Following a market review, HOMAG shortlisted three suppliers. Around 20 people from customer service, specialist departments and IT assessed the systems during a three-day pitch.

According to the case study, the key factors in choosing Visual Planning were the appropriate range of functions, its performance, its flexible approach and the ability to integrate the software into existing processes via interfaces.

Implementation: Global launch in six months’ time

The decision was taken on 1 February 2013. In August of the same year, Visual Planning went live worldwide. This meant that there were around six months between the decision and the global launch. The roll-out was supported jointly by HOMAG and Advanced Solutions.

From service engineers to order engineering

It all began with technician deployment planning and the scheduling of pool vehicles. Further planning templates were added later, including those for the showroom, the test department and order engineering. Even during the quotation phase, the required capacities for subsequent commissioning could be reconciled.

According to the interviewee, these scenarios could be implemented through configuration. Custom programming or modifications to the product were not required for this.