Kathrein Broadcast drives digitization forward with cloud technology
How Kathrein Broadcast GmbH uses cloud technology to optimize its global business processes and position itself as a leading provider of broadcasting systems.
Kathrein Broadcast GmbH, a medium-sized company based in Rohrdorf, Germany, is one of the few remaining manufacturers of broadcast antennas that can realize projects of significant size worldwide. Whether on the Olympic Tower in Munich, the Camlica Tower in Istanbul or at a lofty 4,000 meters above Ecuador's capital Quito - Kathrein Broadcast is represented wherever state-of-the-art broadcast technology is required. Since 2019, the company has been relying on proALPHA ERP from the Business Cloud to efficiently manage its complex business processes and reduce the workload on its IT department. With this decision, Kathrein Broadcast has not only future-proofed itself, but also strengthened its market position.
The path to the cloud: speed and efficiency
The spin-off of Kathrein Broadcast from the Kathrein Group in 2019 presented the company with major challenges. In order to continue operations seamlessly, a new ERP system had to be introduced - and within a very short space of time. It quickly became clear that a cloud-based solution was the best choice. Not only did it offer the necessary flexibility, it also prevented high investments in in-house server infrastructures. “We are a small IT department with just three employees,” explains Robert Robertson, Head of IT at Kathrein Broadcast. “Being able to completely outsource the operation of the ERP system was and is one of the major benefits of the cloud solution for us.”
With the Managed ERP offering from the proALPHA Business Cloud, Kathrein Broadcast opted for a solution that is specifically tailored to the needs of medium-sized manufacturing companies. This solution seamlessly maps all operational processes, including supply chain management, purchasing, logistics and finance, and enabled rapid implementation - in Germany as early as summer 2019 and 1.5 years later at the plant in Romania. The introduction went smoothly overall, although there were some challenges in Romania due to the complex financial standards. “We were apparently one of the first customers to actually use proALPHA from Romania,” reflects Christian Quickert, Managing Director at Kathrein Broadcast.
Efficiency and transparency in the project business
Today, 60 employees in Germany and Romania use the ERP system to efficiently process all orders - from quotation to delivery. The strength of proALPHA is particularly evident in Kathrein Broadcast's specific project business, where customized solutions are often developed for demanding technical environments. Engineers check on site which requirements the planned towers have to fulfill, and the sales team creates complex offers directly in proALPHA. The close integration with the CAD system makes it possible to import design drawings and parts lists directly into the ERP system and link them to the associated projects. This ensures seamless documentation, which also facilitates the subsequent traceability of spare parts and assemblies
Thanks to proALPHA APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling), Kathrein Broadcast can carry out realistic production planning across all sites and optimally control materials management. Automated order proposals and the ability to manage logistics and shipping directly via the ERP system ensure high efficiency and transparency in the processes. If there are any complaints after delivery or if spare parts are required during the long service life of a broadcast antenna, a special label system enables precise traceability of each part.
Cloud technology as the key to the future
The decision in favor of a cloud-based ERP solution has paid off for Kathrein Broadcast in many respects. In addition to the significant relief for the IT department, which now has more time for innovative projects, the company benefits from the high level of security and availability guaranteed by operation in certified data centers in Germany. “For me as an IT manager, it is very reassuring to know that the responsibility for system security and stability is in the hands of proALPHA,” says Robertson. The cloud solution from proALPHA also offers simple user administration, fast support options via the “my proALPHA” portal and secure authentication using two-factor authentication.
But the potential of the ERP solution is far from exhausted. In the next step, Kathrein Broadcast plans to integrate the plant in Italy into the system and also process the accounting with its specific invoicing requirements there. Other modules such as quality assurance, CRM and production data acquisition are also on the agenda in order to further increase efficiency and optimally position the company for future challenges. “The Business Cloud provides us with the necessary resources directly, so that we can scale up as required without any problems,” emphasizes Robertson.
