REFERENCE REPORT
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
KLEBL GOES DIGITAL
The medium-sized construction company Klebl manages materials in the central construction warehouse with mobile data capture devices and the mobile solution IsConstruct from Integer Solutions, which is also used to carry out inventories.
Desire for a quick and efficient solution
Patchy lighting, rising groundwater, radio waves deflected by steel or interference with your own and other networks: unreliable WiFi reception can have many causes. Against this background, the construction company Klebl did not want to become dependent on radio networks for mobile data collection in the warehouse. As early as summer 2013, they were looking for a solution for easily managing material movements in the central construction warehouse using mobile recording devices. "We wanted a quick and efficient solution that works both online and offline," emphasizes Robert Pürzer, who works as an internal project manager for commercial software at Klebl. In addition, the software they were looking for had to fit seamlessly into the existing IT infrastructure and have an interface to the ERP system.
Mutual trust
In addition to the large central warehouse in Neumarkt, the system was to be used in seven external warehouses. The data for over 30.000 items and their movements was to be processed. Specifically, the aim was to reliably transfer material movements to the higher-level inventory management system of Nevaris Bausoftware GmbH. Up until then, material movements at Klebl were recorded using paper lists, which was accordingly time-consuming and prone to errors. "It was not always possible to determine inventory levels precisely," remembers Robert Pürzer.
Klebl found what he was looking for at Integer Solutions GmbH. The IT logistics system house based in Wölfersheim, Hesse, has developed a mobile solution called "isConstruct" that is specifically tailored to the needs of the construction industry. The software can be connected to any ERP system managed via a database, which also worked smoothly at Klebl. The software was introduced in just three months and was therefore completed on time. "The collaboration with Integer was very good from the start and characterized by a great deal of mutual trust," confirms the responsible project manager Robert Pürzer.
Versatile use
isConstruct is an M2M software solution for the construction industry in conjunction with mobile hand-held computers, often using the robust CT50, CK75, CK3x or CK71 models from Honeywell. At Klebl, a total of 15 mobile barcode terminals (with isConstruct software installed) support employees with incoming and outgoing materials, creating workshop reports, picking and inventory. Barcodes are read and necessary entries are completed using the alphanumeric keyboard of the handheld computer.
A large part of the scans concerns consumables and spare parts that are removed from the warehouse or stored during repairs. At the Neumarkt location, Klebl operates its own workshop where construction machinery is maintained and repaired. The mechanics are supported in collecting the parts for the respective workshop order by showing the quantity, part number and storage location on the handheld display. When removing the item, all you have to do is scan the barcode attached to the shelf.
Online on demand
The recorded data is then transmitted to the ERP system via the integrated software interface in isConstruct and synchronized with the master data. Due to the online-on-demand function, this process can be started at any time you choose. At Klebl, the transfer usually takes place overnight when the devices are charged at their respective base station.
"For urgent updates or picking orders, the individual devices can also be synchronized at any time," reports André Grund, who has been responsible for the project on behalf of Integer from the very beginning. This close cooperation with the customer is part of the Integer philosophy, according to which all customer contacts always go through the personally known project manager.
Secure inventory management
Another area of application for isConstruct is the route-optimized picking of the average of 35 shipments that are sent from the central warehouse directly to construction sites or one of the external warehouses. Typical items include tension straps, screws, helmets and other materials that are needed on a wide variety of construction sites. Here, too, the weight, number of pieces, part number and storage location are sent to the display of the mobile handheld computer and each removal is acknowledged by a scan.
In goods receipt, the processes are similar to those for picking: The first step here is for the employee to scan the delivery note, which is then compared with the order data stored in the ERP system. In this way, deviations are noticed immediately and ensure secure inventory management. Another advantage at this point is the time saved, because during storage the employee is shown the storage locations stored in the ERP system on the display of the mobile recording device.
Lots of extensions
Finally, isConstruct also supports the annual inventory at Klebl, which could be digitized throughout. The counting lists generated in the ERP system are transferred to the handhelds and processed by the employees item by item. The counted quantities are then transferred back to the Nevaris merchandise management system and recorded there.
The isConstruct software is generally designed in such a way that it can be individually adapted to the respective processes at Klebl. "Employees are always coming up with new ideas and suggestions for improvement," says project manager André Grund. Thanks to its modular structure, the isConstruct mobile solution is extremely flexible. Existing processes can be supplemented at any time and new modules, such as the management and location determination of construction machinery and equipment, can be integrated if required.
Maximum investment security
The same applies to the switch from Windows to Android as the operating system for handheld computers. This option is available to Klebl at any time, because isConstruct also runs on Android, which could be important for Klebl's future hardware decisions. Flexible devices like the new Honeywell CK75, for example, allow you to switch between Windows Mobile and Android, which leads to maximum investment security.
Conclusion: For the Klebl Group, isConstruct is a very powerful and easy-to-integrate addition to the existing ERP system, which offers many more options for digitalization and thus process optimization. For André Grund and Robert Pürzer, the project is far from over.
Background: Klebl Group
The Klebl group of companies, based in Neumarkt (Upper Palatinate), focuses on the core business areas of construction, prefabricated parts and trading and is one of the 20 largest construction companies in Germany. As a recognized service provider for medium and large construction projects, Klebl is considered a specialist in building with concrete and turnkey construction in commercial construction.
With production sites in Neumarkt, Gröbzig, Penning, Frankenförde, Gönnern and Rinteln, Klebl has a nationwide network of precast factories. Klebl has also been running a construction center on an area of 1985 square meters since 60.000. In the same year, a franchise agreement was concluded with OBI for a hardware store, DIY store and garden store. The company, founded in 1890, is family-owned and since 2012, the fifth generation, Kristin and Johannes Klebl, have been active in the company. Around 1.200 employees generated sales of around EUR 2016 million in 460. Further information at www.klebl.de.