Sarlin enhances operations with a clear digitalization strategy
An industrial solutions company built a prioritized digitalization and data roadmap - better master data, smoother document handling and concrete paths to operational improvements.
The challenge
Sarlin, an industrial solutions company, needed a digital and data strategy to support its growth goals - fragmented item data, inefficient document handling and manual processes were holding the business back.
Item master data fragmented across product lines
Sarlin managed over 30,000 items inconsistently across product lines, which hindered automation. Without a clean item master, downstream processes couldn't be improved reliably.
Inefficient document handling
Document management was inefficient and made it difficult to find the right information. Decisions and execution slowed down because the basics weren't in order.
ERP data underused for decisions
Sarlin struggled to leverage data from their ERP system for better reporting and decision-making. Manual processes in areas like order tracking, invoicing and feedback analysis consumed significant time.
What we built
Structured workshops across key business areas turned dozens of opportunities into a prioritized roadmap, anchored in Master Data Management and a hybrid Azure data platform.
- 01Discovery
Workshops across business areas
We worked with Sarlin in structured workshops across key business areas like supply chain, finance, and R&D. Together we identified dozens of digitalization and data use cases.
- 02Foundation
Master Data Management foundation
We helped define clear processes and responsibilities for Master Data Management, starting with the critical item master data - the basis for almost every downstream improvement.
- 03Operations
Document management improvements
We proposed improvements for document management so that information is findable and decisions don't stall on missing or duplicated documents.
- 04Platform
Hybrid data platform on Azure
We recommended a hybrid data platform architecture leveraging Azure to integrate data sources like ERP and Balance IoT data for better reporting and AI applications.
Results
A clear, actionable digital and data strategy with a prioritized roadmap - foundational improvements in master data and documents were started immediately.
Item master data became the foundation: with a clean, governed item master, downstream automation, reporting and AI can finally land.
Supply chain, finance, R&D and more - dozens of digitalization use cases identified across the business.
A concrete target set for delivery reliability - backed by improved monitoring.
The hybrid data platform architecture brings ERP and Balance IoT data together for better reporting and a base for AI applications.
Beyond the numbers
- Specific use cases like delivery reliability monitoring and invoice check automation give concrete paths to operational improvements
- Foundation for leveraging data and AI for future growth and customer service
