From idea to prototype: Spheros digitizes the product design process with JobRouter®

• Complex product design and product modification processes can be structured transparently and comprehensibly
• Simplified cross-site cooperation and summary of all data and releases in one central project overview
• Is based on the clear and flexibly adaptable distribution of roles
• Records in sequence revision numbers and saves them comprehensibly
• Enables uncomplicated process loops, no reset necessary
• Is interface-compatible with all ERPs

Before a component goes on its first journey it has to pass the so called Concept Design Production (CPD) processes. It’s very complex and consists of numerous test and release steps in within steering groups that are documented in parallel with updated release numbers.

“Previously, CDP processes were regulated with Excel tables” IT project manager Patricia Giller says. Meaning, the designer sends his table to the project engineer who prints it out, signs it, scans the document and sends it by email to the next person in charge, who is again printing, signing and forwarding… till it gets all the necessary releases in the end.

If a product modification or new product development failed in the testing process during the concept and construction phase, the whole process had to be started over again from the beginning. Growing market demand and the number of individual customer requirements made it increasingly urgent to digitize and automate these processes. The largest challenge was integration with the ERP systems at their worldwide manufacturing locations.

As is often the case, the solution was close at hand. JobRouter had already been exchanging data with SAP* and handling invoice processing reliably and automatically for several years in the company’s facility in Gliching, Germany . On review, it became clear that tracking the CDP process would be complex.  The construction concepts cross as many as 6 desks spread all over the world. What’s more, material flow for the prototype construction, initial sampling and subsequently serial production is managed in the ERP systems, for example the SAP MM  module or another ERP software that was not connected.

Alfred Landmann, head of the construction department, summarizes the goals for the CDP process digitization as follows: Avoiding unnecessary correction loops, creating a universal process standard with internationally applicable nomenclature, and an independent system allowing worldwide locations access to data from SAP or other ERP systems.

Patricia Giller remembers: “The successful implementation of the incoming invoice process has shown, that JobRouter has mastered the challenge of connecting to SAP . Based on this experience we developed the CDP process which we implemented with the support of the JobRouter team. Our aim is to also reduce organizational and professional interfaces and downsize processes.” That’s why the project manager is so pleased with flexible parameters which make it possible to skip unnecessary matching steps or integrate additional employees into the ongoing process. Meanwhile goods requests are depicted from SAP via JobRouter and orders are initiated automatically.

Die Lösung lag, wie so oft, ganz nah: Bereits an anderer Stelle im bayerischen Gilching tauschte JobRouter mit SAP* Daten aus und erledigte seit 2013 zuverlässig und automatisiert den Rechnungseingang. Weiß man, dass bereits das erste Konstruktionskonzept über bis zu sechs irgendwo auf der Welt verteilte Schreibtische wandert, wird klar: Die Nachverfolgung ist aufwändig. Hinzu kommt: Der Materialfluss für den Prototypenbau, die Erstbemusterung und später die Serienfertigung erfolgt über nicht miteinander vernetzte ERP-Systeme, etwa das SAP Modul MM oder eine andere ERP-Software.

Alfred Landmann, Abteilungsleiter Konstruktion, fasste die Zielvorgaben für die Digitalisierung des CDP-Prozesses so zusammen: Vermeidung unnötiger Korrekturschleifen, Schaffung eines universellen Prozessstandards mit international anwendbarer Nomenklatur und eine Systemunabhängigkeit, die den weltweiten Standorten den Zugriff aus SAP oder jedem anderen ERP-System heraus erlaubt.

Patricia Giller erinnert sich: „Die erfolgreiche Einführung des Eingangsrechnungsprozesses hat uns gezeigt, dass JobRouter den Medienbruch zu SAP hervorragend und zeitsparend meistert. Auf Basis dieser Erfahrung haben wir den CDP-Prozess erarbeitet und mit Unterstützung des JobRouter-Teams umgesetzt. Wir wollten auch organisatorische und fachliche Schnittstellen reduzieren und Abläufe verschlanken.“ Deshalb freut sich die Projektleiterin über flexible Parameter, mit denen überflüssige Abstimmungsschritte einfach übersprungen oder zusätzliche Mitarbeiter im laufenden Prozess integriert werden können. Inzwischen werden Warenanforderungen aus SAP über JobRouter abgebildet und automatisch Bestellungen ausgelöst.

Even after the takeover by the French supplier group Valeo, Spheros' signs of growth are green. This growth is also supported by the scalable JobRouter digital process automation platform. Two of four persons from the IT department are programming and supervising an increasing number of processes that are now handled with JobRouter. Their goal is that all employees login into JobRouter in the morning. There, depending on their authorization role, staff can get information on the CDP processes or even order office supplies. With only a few clicks HR processes like absence notifications, job applications and posting can be managed or changes in personnel can be reported.

“We use English as the system language” Patricia Giller summarizes. “Individualization is only performed at the most necessary points to keep the supervision expenditures manageable. We still have a lot of ideas for what can be simplified and put into practice by JobRouter. Before the end of the year we will implement a JobRouter interface from the CDP processor to SAP to attach all transaction documentationto the respective material master data. So we will be able to perform clear allocations to new products and component modifications in SAP, too. For our management this is another important step into the direction of transparency and efficiency.”