How an outdoor living specialist optimized its supply chain with a flawless ERP implementation

Platinum is the specialist in high-quality outdoor products such as parasols, shade cloths , breathable garden furniture covers and other accessories. The products are designed in the Netherlands and sold through retailers and garden specialty stores throughout Northwest Europe.

"We are directors in the chain," says Diederik Schneemann, COO at Platinum. "Our ERP system should support that, not work against it."

Time for renewal

Platinum had been working with SAP Business One since 2008, but years of workarounds and partially manual processes had left the system cluttered. "When I started in 2022, I knew that further digitization had to start with a cleaned-up ERP system and a WMS" says Diederik. "We were still working with Excel lists alongside SAP, and purchase orders from ten years ago were still open. Not workable."

The desire for a cleanup and redesign had existed for some time, but it always didn't materialize. Diederik: "There are often reasons not to do something or to schedule it later, but this time we went ahead and decided to do it as soon as possible." The first step? Looking for a new SAP partner.

Logres as a logical choice

Through a relationship at Amazing Oriental Supermarkets, Diederik came in contact with Logres. "We said goodbye to our previous partner and started blank. No customization, no half choices - just good implementation according to best practices."

The project was given a fixed go-live date, and an external project manager was brought in. "In preparation, we worked intensively with Dennis van der Lely of Logres. A fantastic consultant who really helped us move forward."

Tight going live

In February, the new system went live - right on the scheduled day. "It was almost boring how smoothly it went," laughs Diederik. "No big mistakes, no stress, just calm and controlled." The warehouse also received a complete transformation, including new WMS software, scanners and stock locations. "That took some getting used to for the team, but we were well prepared."

From feel to real-time grip

Meanwhile, SAP Business One supports virtually all processes within Platinum - from purchase tracking to returns and reporting. "Before, we did a lot by feel. Now we can measure, adjust and plan. We work more efficiently, more professionally and can change gears much faster. Reports you used to need half a day for, you now have at the push of a button."

Diederik is decidedly positive about Logres. "They are big enough to have a lot of knowledge in-house, but small enough to be involved. Not an unwieldy organization with hundreds of people, but a team that really thinks along with you. And they don't just limit themselves to SAP Business One: they offer smart additional solutions such as Resolv, in which they also have choice, so they can see what suits your company best.

Going live without fuss

In the coming period, Platinum will focus on setting up the CRM section within SAP. "There is still a lot of potential there. We will approach it step by step - just like the rest of the process."

And how does Diederik look back on the implementation? "Going live without fuss may not be spectacular, but that is the biggest compliment. Everything was on time, within budget and exactly as agreed. You rarely experience that."