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The Journey to a Streamlined Configuration Process

Digital transformation has become an essential aspect of business growth in today's fast-paced and tech-driven world. It enables companies to improve their operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and adapt to changing market demands. One such company that has successfully embraced digital transformation is Micropower Group, a leading provider of chargers, custom power solutions, and lithium-ion batteries.

In a recent online meetup, Tomas Källberg, Head of Digitalization at Micropower Group, shared their journey to a streamlined configuration process using Tacton, the leading Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ) solution provider.

This blog post will delve into the challenges Micropower faced, the steps they took to overcome them, and the significant improvements they achieved in their configuration process.

The Challenge: Growing Complexity and Inefficiencies

Micropower's initial success in the charger industry was fueled by its innovative approach to creating chargers controlled by microcontrollers, leading to the name "Micropower." As the company grew and expanded into new markets and product lines, they faced an increasingly complex assortment of chargers and configurations.

The company's historical method for managing this complexity was through document-driven processes. They created and maintained numerous documents, which often contained overlapping or inconsistent information. This approach resulted in unhappy employees and considerable time wasted on deciphering the documentation and correcting errors.

To address these inefficiencies, Micropower introduced a part-number system built with logic. The idea was that each part number would contain specific information about the product, making it easier to understand and support customer requirements. However, as the company continued to grow, the part-number system became increasingly convoluted, with the once straightforward document ballooning to 78 pages.

The Solution: Implementing Tacton CPQ

Recognizing the need for change, Micropower enlisted the help of Tacton, a CPQ solution provider specializing in complex manufacturing configurations. With assistance from the cpq.se team, Micropower successfully integrated the Tacton CPQ solution into their existing configuration system in just a month.

The CPQ solution allowed Micropower to create a web application for their sales representatives, ensuring that they could only select valid configurations without the risk of conflicts or errors. This approach not only reduced the time and effort involved in the configuration process but also provided valuable feedback on whether a specific configuration had been produced before or if it was a new combination of existing parts.

The Benefits: Improved Efficiency and Scalability

By implementing Tacton CPQ, Micropower has reaped several significant benefits:

Simplified Configuration Process: The user-friendly web application enables sales representatives to easily select and configure chargers without requiring extensive knowledge of the part-number system or document. The streamlined process reduces the chances of errors and saves time.

Enhanced Communication: The CPQ system ensures that sales, order preparation, and production teams are on the same page, minimizing confusion and misunderstandings. This improved communication leads to better collaboration and faster response times for customer inquiries.

Scalability: As Micropower continues to grow and expand its product offerings, the CPQ system can easily accommodate new configurations, ensuring that the company can maintain its competitive edge in the market.

Happier Employees: By eliminating the need for complex and convoluted documentation, Micropower employees can focus on their core tasks, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.

Conclusion

Micropower's successful digital transformation journey highlights the importance of embracing technology to overcome business challenges and improve operational efficiency. By leveraging Tacton's CPQ solution, Micropower has streamlined its configuration process, improved communication between teams, and laid the foundation for continued growth and innovation.

As more companies embark on their digital transformation journeys, Micropower's experience serves as an inspiring example of how embracing technology can lead to substantial improvements in business processes and overall performance. The successful implementation of Tacton CPQ showcases the power of collaboration between technology providers and manufacturers to overcome complex challenges and drive sustainable growth.

Micropower's story highlights the importance of identifying areas for improvement and seeking out the right technological solutions to stay ahead in a competitive market. By doing so, organizations can unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and ensure long-term success.

As we continue to witness more digital transformation success stories like Micropower's, it becomes increasingly evident that technology is no longer a mere tool but rather an essential catalyst for growth and innovation.

By embracing digital solutions like Tacton CPQ, businesses can not only streamline their processes but also empower their employees and create an environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.

Micropower's digital transformation journey is a prime example of how companies can leverage technology to enhance their business processes and boost overall performance.

The successful integration of Tacton CPQ has led to substantial improvements in Micropower's configuration process, communication between teams, and scalability. These achievements demonstrate the potential of digital transformation to transform businesses and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.

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Image borrowed from https://micropower-group.com were you can also find more info about the products of Micropower.

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