"Thanks to Abacus, our entire supply chain is digitally mapped."

Why did Arcomed AG decide to introduce Abacus?

Marc Vollenweider: Our previous ERP implementation was unsuccessful. After a long introductory phase, we pulled the emergency brake and cancelled the project. After that it was clear to us: We need a system with stable standards that works in practice. It was important to us that all relevant areas - from production and finance to quality assurance - are integrated.
We were already familiar with the Abacus software and it seemed well suited to our requirements. An additional advantage was that our accounting partner, BDO, already knew the software very well. This allowed us to draw directly on their expertise and plan the implementation project together with them in a targeted and efficient manner right from the start.

How did the launch go?

MV: The introduction went very well. Thanks to a clear rough concept and targeted preparation, we were able to go live in January 2024 - just a few months after the start of the project in August 2023. Our sales partner has familiarised himself intensively with our processes and products, which has noticeably accelerated and simplified the implementation.

Which Abacus modules are you using today?

MV: We work with Order Processing (Procurement, Stock, Sales and Quality Assurance), Production Planning & Control and the entire financial solution. We are also currently implementing Abacus Service Management.

What has improved in your day-to-day work since the introduction of Abacus?

MV: We used to have to enter serial numbers manually, type in production lists every day and leaf through paper folders. Today, our entire supply chain is digitalised - from ordering to production and delivery. This not only saves us a lot of time, but also increases process reliability and quality.

What challenges in supply chain management were you able to solve with the Abacus software?

MV: Before, we didn't have automatic scheduling - a lot of things had to be done from memory or with paper slips. The entire production planning process is now digital, with clear roles and approval processes. This creates an overview and saves resources, especially for large orders with high time pressure.

Your industry is highly regulated. How does Abacus support you in this?

MV: Traceability, validation and documentation are essential in the medical sector. Among other things, the Abacus software enables us to record UDI numbers correctly. This is a decisive advantage that we had not expected. The system also directly supports us in complying with the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR), which places very high demands on documentation and traceability. Abacus makes a significant contribution to successful MDR certification.

How did employees react to the new system?

MV: Very positive. The introduction went quickly, the look and feel was familiar and the support from BDO was excellent. The employees are happy that they no longer have to do so much work manually. Checklists and documentation now also run digitally. Acceptance was therefore high right from the start.

Are there plans to expand the Abacus software even further in the future?

MV: Yes, definitely. We are currently examining the introduction of Payroll accounting, Time Recording and CRM for sales support. A customer portal for online ordering is also on our wish list. We also want to further automate our processes in the area of purchasing disposition. We definitely still have a lot of potential to further optimise and expand our processes with the Abacus software.

How would you summarise the overall Abacus solution in three words?

MV: I'll say it in one: "Cool." For us, the Abacus software is a well-rounded, reliable system that has even demanding production processes under control - we would recommend it at any time.