Pro Activ Interview: Control and Visibility in Distribution with Remotely Implemented Software
Interview with Alin Ionescu, Executive Director Pro Activ - distributor of construction materials, professional solutions and systems
Pro Activ is the first company in the Senior Software portfolio that benefited from a 100% remote software implementation, fully complying with the restrictions imposed by authorities.
With a turnover of 13 million euros and over 400 clients, Pro Activ is a construction materials distributor that covers the needs of real estate developers and construction companies in the South-East region, with regional relevance across Romania. The company implemented the following systems to automate and manage business processes:
- SeniorERP - for company resource management
- SeniorVisualBI - for detailed data analysis, simulations and forecasting
- HR – for efficient human resources management
1. What challenges did you encounter within the company that led to the need for business management systems?
Alin Ionescu: I believe that you cannot achieve a qualitative leap, especially in developing capabilities at an individual level, if you do not have the necessary tools, if you do not have what it takes to build sustainably. For this reason, when I joined the Pro Activ team, I started to focus more on the qualitative side.
Before running the Senior Software program, we did not have visibility into the actions we were taking. We did not have high-performance tools that could show us exactly where we stood and what needed to be calibrated in order to move toward the objectives we had set. More specifically, I am referring here to KPIs, monitoring at the function, individual, and department level.
2. How did you reach the decision to collaborate with Senior Software and why did you choose ERP, BI and HR systems?
3. How did the remote implementation and collaboration with the Senior Software team take place?
Alin Ionescu: The people from the Senior Software team gave us confidence and balance. They understood and identified the needs of each department and each individual. We communicated openly, found the best solutions together, and we can say that we consider them part of the Pro Activ team.
It is clear that Senior Software has all the necessary tools to carry out a remote implementation, including the know-how and a team of professional and dedicated specialists, very well prepared and truly making a difference.
We are extremely pleased with the choice we made, and the fact that the implementation was carried out remotely did not make communication between Pro Activ and Senior Software more difficult in any way. Of course, physical presence may help from a comfort perspective, knowing you can rely on someone onsite. However, even without being physically present, the Senior Software team feels as if they are here with us, and we can rely on them without any issues. We have experienced no barriers or interruptions, and we aim to maintain this collaboration moving forward.
4. Did you use additional internal resources for this implementation?
Alin Ionescu: We allocated additional resources, but not many, and this was not related to the remote implementation method. We took into account the possibility of external factors that could not be anticipated. We had to reorganize internally so that if one team became unavailable, another team could step in at any time and be ready to continue the activity.
5. What changes have you noticed and what results do you expect to achieve following this implementation?
Alin Ionescu: The control area is essential, and the software helps us maintain control from A to Z. We no longer have the vulnerabilities we experienced with the previous software and, for me, this is fantastic because I can now focus 100% on the business agenda. We have found the tool that gives me peace of mind from a control perspective. Other results we have noticed relate to traceability and business security. It is clearly a very good solution.
Going forward, I expect improvements in profitability. Regarding the impact of the implemented solutions for human resources and for connecting operations across the 6 departments, I expect professional growth among employees, significantly higher performance, and increased profitability.
I say this because the software systems we are implementing will help us think more efficiently and perform better data analysis, through the integration of all information. This will provide many answers that we previously did not have, but could only assume or interpret differently depending on each perspective. We will have clear data that will improve business decisions.
6. How do you adapt to market changes and how important do you consider automation solutions in the current economic environment?
7. Do you recommend this implementation approach to other companies?
Alin Ionescu: I recommend, without any hesitation, this type of remote software implementation. The only point I would emphasize is that this process depends on several important criteria: the partner’s openness and the clear message delivered to the organization through its own management. With strong motivational leadership, the organization develops the willingness to implement using this remote implementation approach.
For this reason, even though Senior Software has the know-how and all the necessary tools to successfully implement remotely, the partner’s openness is essential throughout the entire process. My colleagues and I are only a few days past Go Live, and I can say that we have experienced no barriers or interruptions in communication or in following the implementation agenda.
About Pro Activ
Pro Activ is headquartered in Dambovita and has 19 years of experience in the market. The construction materials distributor operates 6 departments with 57 employees and serves around 400 clients monthly through its own distribution fleet. With a turnover of 13 million euros, the company covers the needs of real estate developers and construction companies in the South-East region, with regional relevance across Romania, as well as individual customers through its online store www.proactiv.ro.
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