Progroup AG is a family-run company in the paper and packaging industry with a significant presence in six Central European countries. With three paper mills, 13 corrugated sheetboard plants, a logistics company and a waste-to-energy power plant, Progroup is one of the largest producers of corrugated base paper and corrugated board sheets in Europe. Progroup was faced with the challenge of modernising its operational processes and making them more efficient. Particularly affected were the manual processes, the data integration from the source systems for paper production and the purchasing department, and the need to build a modern and scalable IT infrastructure. In this Azure cloud migration project, Progroup was able to make significant progress in optimising its business processes and using modern technologies thanks to the successful implementation of the infrastructure for Microsoft Azure and the support of Power BI .
The Challenge – Mastering Complexity & Setting New Standards
Progroup was confronted with several significant challenges. The company’s own claim is to ensure that its internal processes run seamlessly and efficiently in order to meet the high demands of its medium-sized packaging customers. Therefore, specific requirements for the project arose:
1. Transition from manual to digital processes: Progroup operated in a highly manual environment, which led to time-consuming and error-prone processes. Moving to modern, digital processes was critical to increasing efficiency and maximizing productivity.
2. Integration of disparate data sources: With a variety of source systems for paper production and the purchasing department, data integration was a significant challenge. It was necessary to ensure seamless integration of this data in order to get a comprehensive overview of all relevant information.
3. Improve data visualization: One of Progroup’s main requirements was the ability to visualize data effectively. Without a clear and concise presentation of the data in the form of dashboards and reports, it was difficult to make informed decisions and optimally align the business strategy.
4. Tailor-made solutions for complex requirements: Progroup needed specific solutions that met their complex business requirements. This included the development and deployment of two Power Apps (Canvas App and Model-driven App) that provided business users with a simple and intuitive way to collect and manage data.
5. Ensuring cooperation and sustainability: As a company that attaches great importance to cooperation and sustainability, it was important to Progroup that the new solutions were not only technologically advanced, but also developed sustainably and in close cooperation with partners.
The Solution – Azure Cloud Migration
Together with INKUBIT, the customer decided to implement several software solutions that could address the complex challenges holistically. Since all of them were developed on the basis of the Microsoft platform, they offer seamless integration and work together efficiently to map the different subject areas:
1. Azure cloud solutions: Progroup has been converted from manual processes to cloud-based solutions based on the Microsoft Azure platform. This Azure cloud migration enabled greater flexibility and scalability of the IT infrastructure. By using Azure, Progroup was able to create a robust and secure environment that meets the company’s current and future requirements.
2. Power BI: Power BI was implemented to improve data visualization and decision-making. This powerful business intelligence solution enabled Progroup to integrate complex data from various source systems and present it in easy-to-understand dashboards and reports. As a result, informed decisions could be made faster and more precisely.
3. Development of Power Apps: Progroup received two tailor-made Power Apps (Canvas App and Model-driven App) that were specially developed for their complex business requirements. These apps allowed users to collect and manage data easily and intuitively. The Canvas app offered a flexible, custom user interface, while the model-driven app was based on a data model-driven architecture that could map complex business processes.
The collaboration with INKUBIT in the implementation of the Azure infrastructure and Power BI was an important step for Progroup. Thanks to the tailor-made solutions, we were able to digitize our manual processes, seamlessly integrate data and gain valuable insights. This transformation has not only significantly increased our efficiency, but also allowed us to make even more informed, data-driven decisions.
The results with INKUBIT
The implementation of the Azure infrastructure and Power BI solutions at Progroup led to impressive results, which significantly improved the company’s efficiency and decision-making capacity. Thanks to the Azure cloud migration and the successful digitization of manual processes, as well as the seamless integration of data from different source systems, Progroup was able to achieve comprehensive and accurate data visualization. This enabled the company to make informed, data-driven decisions faster and more accurately. The digitization of manual processes and the introduction of a cloud-based infrastructure have contributed to a significant reduction in operational costs . Automation and more efficient data management reduced labor and errors, which lowered operating costs and optimized total cost of ownership. By implementing a robust Azure platform and integrating reliable data management solutions, Progroup was able to significantly reduce the risk of data errors and system failures. The improved data visualization enabled early detection and response to potential risks, allowing the company to better respond to challenges and increase overall operational safety.