Elektrownia Skawina S.A. is one of the largest enterprises in Skawina. Except for its basic activity, the company has also external activities: it leases equipment and vehicles, it runs a motor vehicle diagnostic station and a Company Clinic. Until now the power plant used the software of a local company. Applications implemented by small local deliverers usually have limited functionality; besides, as technologies and legal requirements change constantly, their adaptation is long and costly. Separate functionalities are either not integrated at all or only basic data can be transferred between modules fluently. This was the case of Elektrownia Skawina. The Board of Directors of the company expected their employees to prepare strictly specialist reports which were required by the Investor – CEZ. Achieving this required from the employees many hours spent on preparing and presenting specific data. Therefore, standardization in the Group became an important reason for choosing a new IT solution. In order to make it possible for the company to work properly, it was decided that one should invest in a new IT solution which should satisfy the needs of the Investor and raise the competitiveness of the company on the energy market.
Elektrownia Skawina S.A. took into consideration both international and national IT solutions developed for comprehensive management, such as e.g. SAP, Microsoft Dynamics AX or Impuls by BPSC. The choice process prepared by the power plant clearly indicated the Microsoft Dynamic AX system and Asseco Poland S.A. as an implementing partner. The most important premises which the system and the implementing company were supposed to fulfill were:
- a stable position at the market;
- familiarity with the branch and problems of the energy sector;
- experience with similar projects;
- appropriate references reflecting the satisfaction of the clients.
Additionally, Elektrownia Skawina along with implementing the ERP system also decided to implement a specialist solution for managing reparation. Therefore, the fact that both deliverers (Eutronic 2000 – a deliverer of a repair system and Asseco Poland S.A.) were able to ensure complete and integrated solution was very important while choosing the system. An additional element of implementation integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX was an in- house product of Asseco Poland: Kom-Bok system managing documents circulation in the company.
At the beginning of the implementation process, a Controlling Authority was appointed which oversaw the correct definition of the power plant needs. As it appeared, the standard functionality of the ERP system was insufficient and, therefore, the whole project required an individual approach which was connected with the need to modify the system. One of the necessary changes was adaptation and control over budgets which should allow to control the expenditures of the company in a more effective way. Already at the stage of placing an order, one controls the conformity of the placed order with the accepted budget and the system of orders both internal and external. The next significant modification was introduction of a multi- stage mechanism of settling costs which, in turn, allows to save time. During computerization of the enterprise, Asseco Poland also implemented its in-house solution supporting the circulation of documents – the Kom-Bok system which in a significant way arranged and helped the circulation of cost invoices within the company. The assumed functionality was prepared during the pre- implementation analysis and was fully achieved. Asseco Poland, owing to its over 20-year experience and due to verticalization of Microsoft Dynamics AX, completed the implementation of the system in Elektrownia Skawina S.A. with success. The whole process did not exceed the assumed budget and time.
Benefits
The implementation of an integrated application supports the company management. Owing to Microsoft Dynamics AX, a majority of repeatable operations have been automated and this positively influenced the increase of the employees’ efficiency. A majority of operations is performed by the system and the employees may focus on solving strategic problems and do not have to waste time on operative works. The tool implemented for controlling budgets of separate organizational units supports planning the company’s expenditures. The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX positively influenced also the time of Customer service which, in turn, has a positive influence on the company’s goodwill. An access to key information in real time and, first of all, a possibility to prepare reports consistent with the Group’s standards is a very important benefit. Due to the fact that many types of reports have been adapted, the data is appropriately arranged and presented in such a way that it is possible to diagnose the actual condition of the company.
A successful implementation and benefits arising from the implementation encouraged another company belonging to the group – Elektrociepłownia Chorzów ELCHO – and the parent company – CEZ Polska Sp. z o.o. to implement the system.
