Qlik > Case Studies > Fleura builds knowledge paradise using information from QlikView

Fleura builds knowledge paradise using information from QlikView

Company Size

1,000+

Region

Europe

Country

Austria
Czech Republic
Germany
Italy
Poland

Product

QlikView

Tech Stack

MS Excel
MS Navision/ MS Dynamics
Exact
KBT Pro
ADP
MS SQL Server 2000
Oracle 9.2

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Cost Savings
Productivity Improvements

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Data-as-a-Service
Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Applicable Industries

Retail

Applicable Functions

Human Resources

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Supply Chain Visibility

Services

Data Science Services
System Integration

About The Customer

Fleura Export B.V. was established in 1970 and is one of the largest Dutch importers and exporters of cut flowers and cut foliage. Its headquarters and wholesale warehouse are based in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The group achieves a large part of its sales through a tight network of 46 of its own branches with a predominantly Cash & Carry function. Through this proven and powerful concept Fleura has been market leader for many years in Germany and The Netherlands; and the expansion is continuing with Austria, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic opening up new markets. The transport organization, consisting of 75 drivers, ensures that the products are delivered daily, on time and cooled. Fleura employs over 700 people and generates annual sales of around €200 million.

The Challenge

Fleura Export B.V., a Dutch importer and exporter of cut flowers and cut foliage, was facing challenges due to its complex organizational structure. The company, which is managed centrally, has buying subsidies and sales offices in various countries, a range of operations, and different IT systems. This complexity was increasingly impacting the company’s course of business. The company's information provision had turned into chaos with scores of Excel reports and emails complicating the management of the company. In early 2006, Fleura started looking for a Business Intelligence (BI) solution with a consolidation tool for its financial reports and a reporting tool for its buying subsidies to replace the obsolete Oracle solution it was using. The company wanted a cutting-edge product which would be easy to use, fast to implement and self-explanatory, therefore requiring no extensive training given the complex structure of its organization.

The Solution

Fleura opted for QlikView as their Business Intelligence (BI) solution. The first step in the implementation process was to streamline their data structure. They unified all the financial reports from the various countries and systems and incorporated them into a single Excel report. This data was exported to their central SQL Server database, which acts as the source for QlikView. They built a total of three applications, the first one being a financial application. The second application was an operational application for their buying subsidies. With QlikView, they could easily disclose this data, drill down to detail level, and gain new insights. Finally, they developed an ADP-based HRM application to track data such as overtime, productivity and sick leave per employee.

Operational Impact

QlikView delivers major time savings. Previously, Fleura spent a lot of time collecting data, creating Excel spreadsheets, and interpreting information. Now the job is done on the fly enabling them to notice any deficiencies immediately.
Clear visualization helps Fleura pinpoint weaknesses and take appropriate measures quickly.
The solution’s speed and ease-of-use will stimulate users to work independently eliminating the need for assistance from the administration department.
Another key benefit is the users’ ability to organize and manage their own ‘cockpit’, adapting and expanding it as needed.