Ahlers AG has selected the Microsoft Dynamics AX platform and PORINI Apparel & Textile, the vertical solution for apparel and textile from Porini Srl. The project has been aworded to long time Porini partner Alfapeople Gmbh.

In March 2017 Ahlers AG has successfully launched an ERP-solution for Jupiter, a brand geared towards international business.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 and Apparel & Textile industry solution from Porini form the basis of the solution. The specialists from AlfaPeople, Porini’s Partner, have comprehensively expanded the available features and linked them with the process organization of the Ahlers brand, Jupiter. Products and pricing are now centrally managed and provided both at home and abroad. The solution simultaneously takes individual agreements and the international conditions of sales companies into consideration.

The internal processes within the Ahlers Group, as well as the processes that are characterized by international business, lead to a complex supply chain. A high degree of automation and control supports and optimizes the industry-standard processes along this supply chain. This includes the consignment business, block orders, sellout controls, scheduled delivery to customers, stores, showrooms and agents.

The Dynamics AX system now launched for Jupiter is integrated in the existing IT landscape, which includes PLM external service systems and EDI systems, in part assuming controlling tasks. The Power BI software from Microsoft then provides evaluations and reports almost in real-time.

Logistics are an important component of the new solution. GTIN (EAN) designation and batch management make it possible to manage stock entirely with mobile devices while also incorporating the newly introduced shipping system.

When designing and implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX for Jupiter, AlfaPeople incorporated synergy effects from the start, to make the introduction of the system with the other brands of the Ahlers Group as quick and smooth as possible. At the same time, Ahlers continues to focus on a largely standard use of software with simultaneous optimization and standardization of the business processes.

Herford, 25August 2014
Never before have we experienced such fast-moving times as today. Development cycles are accelerating in technology just as in fashion. Investing in high-performance software, which continuously handles complex business processes,is essential in order to remain viable for the future. Fashion company Ahlers was faced with the challenge of renewing their current ERP system –thanks to the amalgamation of Microsoft Dynamics AX with Apparel & Textile, Porini’s industry solution, in future Ahlers will benefit from an internationally operational, fully integrated business application, whose functional scope will support and improve the business processes in a flexible way.

“In our selection process, we conducted a targeted search for a standardized ERP application, which is suited to our industry, and which provides the conditions for internationalization and is technologically future-proof”

explains Uwe Dubbert, Managing Director, Head of IT/Telecom Services, Ahlers Group.
The solutions from Microsoft, Porini and AlfaPeople met all of the presented requirements. Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and PORINI Apparel & Textile will be adopted after being introduced to all the companies in the Ahlers AG group of 8 clothing brands with diverse requirements and 550 users in six major and diverse smaller company sites across Europe.

In addition to comprehensive performance capabilities and factors such as multilingualism and multi-country capability, the user-friendly and simple handling of the ERP software was also particularly convincing. Dubbert continues, “Through the introduction of Microsoft Dynamics AX as an ERP application, we are continually moving our IT into the Windows world, with the familiar and uniform operability and integration with applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook in place, which also presents numerous advantages for our employees.”

Around three years ago at Ahlers, in order to select the ERP solution they began to compare various application systems as part of an initial rough analysis; Dynamics AX quickly emerged as the favorite as regards technology. The decision to introduce Apparel & Textile preceded several months of intensive analysis with the involvement of AlfaPeople. “During this time, effectively we tried out the forth-coming collaboration –we were able to get a precise picture of the AlfaPeople consultants’ industry and IT expertise. Furthermore, it became clear that we work well together.”

Andreas Palsbröker, Managing Partner at AlfaPeople, is proud that his employees’ skills and their industry expertise were once again convincing: He said, “To have won a well-known customer such as Ahlers is a further milestone on our path to becoming a leading international provider of Dynamics AX in the textiles and retail industry.“

About Ahlers
Ahlers AG is one of the largest listed fashion manufacturer with its main focus on men’s fashion in Europe and has been a reliable partner to the small-to-medium-sized and large specialized retail channel for more than 90 years. As an innovative, financially strong company, it can react swiftly and flexibly to the demands of the time and the markets. Baldessarini, Pierre Cardin, Otto Kern, Pioneer Authentic Jeans, Pionier Jeans & Casuals, Pionier Workwear, Jupiter and Gin Tonic count among their brands and they supply high-fashion collections for every occasion and at different pricing levels for the modern man.

Further information at: www.ahlers-ag.com