Scaling industrial services: Elcoline’s ERP transformation

Elcoline is a Nordic industrial services company specializing in maintenance, installation, and technical services for industrial customers. Founded in 2002 in Finland, it operates mainly in Finland and Sweden, employing around 1,000 professionals and supporting industries such as energy, mining, marine, defense, and process manufacturing.

Elcoline undertook a large business transformation to integrate an acquired business and modernize its IT landscape without disrupting daily operations. During transformation new ERP environment was implemented for increased efficiency and support daily operation through automation and friendly user interface. The project was run in agile work streams to ensure smooth transition and continuous optimization. Transformation work with Euvic continues as planned to ensure long-term growth and development.

There were two (2) key challenges: Integrating a new business into the Elcoline Group and creating modern systems and ways of working for it to meet new business requirements.

Due the nature of a major business transformation, it was crucial to implement the change without affecting day-to-day operations. To ensure a smooth transition and long-term success, a clear strategy and structured governance were required.

As time was in essence, a hybrid approach was selected to ensure the new business was integrated into the group via effective carve-out and simultaneously develop a target architecture for the whole of Elcoline Group.

The carve-out acted as a starting point for digital transformation, where implementation of new ERP, as well as updates in payroll and time management, was crucial to improving efficiency.

The hardest part of the change was to implement flexible and future-proof infrastructure without disrupting daily operations. A well-planned and structured implementation was necessary to minimize risks and ensure a seamless transition.

As the lead manager of the transformation, Euvic took responsibility for overseeing every aspect of the project, from initial planning to final implementation. Our approach centered on structured governance and agile project management, ensuring that all workstreams were coordinated and aligned with Elcoline’s strategic objectives.

By fostering close collaboration between stakeholders and maintaining transparent communication, we successfully managed risks, adapted to challenges, and drove continuous improvement throughout the transformation process.

The project was organized in seven parallel workstreams, which allowed for a focus on specific business areas without losing the holistic perspective. The work started with an in-depth analysis of business needs and processes, followed by extensive data modeling and quality assurance. In parallel, training and testing were conducted to minimize productivity losses during implementation.

By working agilely in two-week sprints, any challenges were quickly identified and addressed. Regular check-ins with the steering group ensured a continuous review of the project’s progress and helped keep the schedule and budget on track.

The entire project is well underway, and several important milestones have already been achieved:

• Continuity of business-critical systems has been ensured throughout the project, enabling uninterrupted operations.
• A stable and scalable IT architecture is being implemented and adapted for future needs and growth.
• Process efficiencies and cost reductions have started to pay off, and further optimizations are planned for the next phase.

The project is over its crucial stage and is proceeding according to plan. The progress made so far demonstrates a well-executed strategy and successful collaboration. A continued focus on careful management and flexibility will ensure that business objectives are met effectively.

Through a structured and trust-based collaboration, the business transformation is implemented in a way that both ensured operational continuity and laid the foundation for future growth and development.