GfTD

Before the Reset: A Project in Trouble

Before the successful reset, GfTD’s transformation project was struggling. The company was operating without a cohesive strategy, leading to uncoordinated efforts across different areas. This lack of alignment caused significant concern at the management level, prompting a reevaluation of the entire initiative.

The operational complexity of GfTD further compounded these challenges. Managing twelve independent companies meant navigating intricate internal financial and ordering structures. Additionally, the company needed to transition from the Astea platform, which was used to manage 300 field technicians and over 240 different Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for 30 external and internal customers. The sheer volume of projects and the need for seamless integration between project management and maintenance services demanded a robust and unified solution.

The Solution: A Structured Reset with IFS

GfTD selected IFS Cloud because it offered a comprehensive platform capable of handling the entire lifecycle of their operations, from initial project planning to ongoing service and maintenance. The focus of IFS on telecommunications, production, and service businesses aligned perfectly with GfTD’s needs.

To get the project back on track, GfTD adopted an agile methodology with IFS Success, starting with a prototype phase to confirm requirements and prioritize tasks. This approach allowed for close tracking and clear communication. IFS provided dedicated project management and brought in specialized partners to ensure the right expertise was available.
 

The implementation was structured in waves. The first wave focused on administration and purchasing, bringing 150 users onto the system. The second wave targets the complex service operations, integrating the 300 field technicians and replacing their Astea platform. The implementation scope includes IFS assyst to handle employee communication.

The Results: From Failing Project to Live Platform

The strategic reset and implementation of IFS Cloud have delivered transformative results for GfTD. Most notably, a project that was on the brink of failure was successfully recovered and brought live within a year and a half. This turnaround required not just technical execution but a fundamental shift in approach, methodology, and partnership dynamics.

The first wave successfully integrated administration and purchasing functions for 150 users across project management and administrative roles, streamlining order processing and billing. The platform now supports the management of 12,000 planning projects and 7,000 major projects, providing GfTD with unprecedented visibility and control over their complex operations.

Beyond the technical achievements, the agile methodology and close partnership with IFS fostered better communication and alignment across the organization. This collaborative approach proved essential to navigating the complexities of a multi-company structure. The successful deployment of these initial waves has created a solid template that GfTD can now use to onboard the remaining nine independent companies within the group.

“…that's where the IFS really helped us extremely well in getting the right know-how on board. People who know, who knew with experience, how do I have to tackle the machine so that the tasks ahead of us are achieved." – Michael Häberle, Enterprise Systems Program Manager

Looking Ahead

With the first wave successfully deployed, GfTD is focused on completing the second wave, which will bring 300 field technicians onto IFS Cloud and fully replace Astea. The company also plans to use the developed template to onboard the remaining nine independent companies. Looking further ahead, GfTD is exploring the integration of artificial intelligence, guided by their IFS Success Manager, to further optimize operations and enhance service delivery.