Excel macros for documents
A macro-driven Excel tool created draft AP, purchasing and invoice documents.
Versago and Bizweaver for SAP B1 Case Study
How IMS Systems, a precision measurement technology company with North American headquarters in Mars, Pennsylvania, moved from Excel macros to Versago and Bizweaver on SAP Business One.
About IMS Systems
IMS Systems was founded in 1980 in Heiligenhaus, Germany, and has been in the United States since 2000. It offers non-contact x-ray, isotope and optical measuring systems for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plus strip guiding systems. From its North American headquarters in Mars, Pennsylvania, IMS provides sales, service and training.
The Challenge
IMS ran SAP Business One, but much of the work around it was manual. A previous partner had built an Excel application with macros that created draft documents for AP, purchasing and invoices. Manual data entry slowed work and raised the risk of errors.
Engineering worked in Autodesk Inventor and Vault, and the previous vendor's limitations made connecting them to SAP Business One a problem. The warehouse also relied on manual steps that led to errors.
IMS needed to automate routine document work and connect its engineering and warehouse systems to SAP Business One.
A macro-driven Excel tool created draft AP, purchasing and invoice documents.
Staff keyed data by hand, which slowed work and risked errors.
Autodesk Inventor and Vault were hard to connect to SAP Business One.
Warehouse management needed less manual intervention and fewer errors.
The Solution
IMS wanted software to extend SAP Business One. It partnered with Third Wave, an SAP Business One partner, to implement Third Wave's own extensions, Versago and Bizweaver. IMS started with part of Versago, and Bizweaver soon followed in the background to connect Versago with SAP Business One.
Versago automated IMS's expense management and document processing workflows, which cut manual effort. Scanned documents now attach to goods receipt POs (GRPOs) automatically. That task alone saves up to 3 to 4 hours a month.
Bizweaver exchanges data between SAP Business One and Autodesk Inventor and Vault for IMS's engineering department. The connection also lowered system update costs.
Bizweaver passes data between SAP Business One and Cardex in real time, so warehouse records need less manual handling. Warehouse management is more efficient and accurate, with fewer errors.
IMS combined separate processes into connected workflows. Staff use Rydoo for expense management and Versago for time entry, and the steps fit together. Users had a smooth transition, even across several applications.
IMS Systems CEO Kai Mahnke on the manual Excel and VBA work that Versago and Bizweaver replaced.
The Result
IMS now handles routine document work in Versago, and Bizweaver moves data between SAP Business One and its engineering and warehouse systems.
Automation removed manual tasks and the need for expensive customizations.
Real-time data exchange lets IMS focus on value-added work.
Connected workflows helped employee adoption and satisfaction.
Inventor, Vault and Cardex share data with SAP Business One through Bizweaver.