General details
EDIHs involved
Challenges
Liersch GmbH, a long-established company in sewing technology, experienced significant growth, expanding its customer base both in Germany and internationally. Along with this expansion, the company developed a new core competence in the design and construction of special machines. However, this success also introduced more complex processes, highlighting the need for greater efficiency.
During a visit to the company, it became clear that Liersch GmbH was interested in optimising workflows, particularly by exploring Robotic Process Automation (RPA). They had already begun experimenting with small RPA bots on their own.
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One of the key challenges was the need to extract images from over 2,000 PDF files for their B2B online store.
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This task would have been extremely time-consuming if performed manually, creating a significant bottleneck in their processes.
The company was looking for a way to leverage automation to manage this task and further improve their operational efficiency.
Solutions
To address the image extraction challenge, an expert experimented with several methods before selecting the Power Automate Desktop function "Extract images from PDF." This solution enabled efficient image extraction without requiring additional software installations. Initially, the function extracted all images, including irrelevant ones such as logos. To overcome this issue, a filter based on file size was applied to exclude unwanted images. If the bot detected more images than expected, it would issue a warning to the user. The final step involved writing the extracted images into an Excel file, which could then be uploaded to the ERP system, significantly streamlining the process.
As a result, the bot was able to process 2,000 PDF files in just 1 to 2 minutes. Encouraged by this success, Liersch GmbH extended the use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to smaller processes, saving approximately 15 minutes per day on routine tasks.
Results and Benefits
Before automation, the process of extracting images from over 2,000 PDF files was incredibly time-consuming, taking 1-3 minutes per file. For a small company like Liersch GmbH, this equated to almost 12.5 days of work, which was a significant burden. The manual process also posed a higher risk of errors, potentially leading to inaccuracies in the company's B2B online store.
With the implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), the same task now takes just 1-2 minutes for all 2,000 files combined. This dramatic reduction in processing time has freed up employees to focus on more valuable tasks, leading to a noticeable improvement in overall efficiency. Moreover, automation has minimised errors, ensuring more accurate data in the ERP system. The inclusion of product images in the online store is expected to enhance customer satisfaction by reducing the likelihood of returns.
The success of this project has further motivated Liersch GmbH to automate additional, smaller processes, saving 15 minutes per day. This ongoing digital transformation is making the company more agile and better prepared to handle future challenges.
Perceived social/economic impact
The implementation of RPA at Liersch GmbH has led to significant social and economic benefits, positively influencing both operational efficiency and workplace culture.
Economic Impact:
The economic benefits of RPA have been substantial, providing a direct positive impact on the company’s bottom line and market position.
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Cost Savings: The automation led to a significant reduction in manual labor costs, freeing up financial resources for other critical areas.
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Efficiency Gains: Operations were streamlined, allowing for better resource utilization and improved productivity.
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Competitive Advantage: By enhancing the customer experience through a more efficient online shop, Liersch GmbH has strengthened its competitive position in the market.
Social Impact:
Beyond economic benefits, the introduction of automation has created a more dynamic and fulfilling work environment, encouraging continuous improvement and growth.
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Employee Engagement: The shift from monotonous tasks to more engaging, value-added activities has boosted employee morale and job satisfaction.
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Skill Development: Employees have developed new skills, becoming more adaptable and valuable assets to the company.
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Innovation Culture: The company has cultivated a culture of continuous learning and innovation, which will support its long-term growth and sustainability.
Measurable data
As a direct result of the service provided, significant time savings have been achieved through both PDF Extraction Automation and Daily Process Automation. As shown in the table below, automating PDF extraction alone leads to annual time savings ranging from 4.16 to 12.5 days. Additionally, automating the daily process further contributes to a yearly time reduction of 8.1 days.
In total, by streamlining these processes, the customer experiences overall time savings of 12.26 to 20.6 days per year, allowing for increased efficiency and resource optimisation.
DMA score and results - Stage 0
The chart below illustrates a comparison of the Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) score against various benchmarks within the retail, wholesale, and distribution sectors across Europe. With a score of 78%, this position is well above the average in all comparison groups, marking a leading stance in digital maturity. This score significantly surpasses both the sector averages in Germany (50%) and across the EU (38%). Additionally, it exceeds the average for similar-sized companies in Germany and the EU, reflecting a strong digital foundation and a competitive advantage within the industry.
Lessons learned
Do’s:
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Encourage Initiative: Companies should take the initiative to experiment with new technologies, as even small automations can yield significant time savings.
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Provide Inspiration: EDIHs can inspire innovation by introducing companies to promising technologies and offering brief demonstrations.
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Support Knowledge Transfer: Sometimes, a small push and effective communication can spark multiple innovations within a company.
Don’ts:
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Don’t Overlook the Impact of Small Changes: Simple RPA implementations can make a big difference; never underestimate their potential.
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Avoid Limiting Support: While initial efforts are crucial, ongoing, targeted training and support can help companies fully leverage new technologies.
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