Challenge

Lapeyre is very decentralised with thirteen production sites scattered throughout France. The same can be said for its information systems as each site has its own system built on specific applications (production monitoring, stock control, order processing.). In the early 90's, the company decided to bring together these different systems using an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning software package) common to all factories; this initiative reflected the Group's new focus with the development of its tailor-made woodwork (kitchens, windows and doors).
The adoption of a single production management platform meets several objectives:

• To facilitate manufacturing methods via common production processes;
• To standardise management rules (previously defined at local level);
• To manage purchasing and raw material supply at Group level;
• To increase visibility of company activity.

The Selection of HP

The Industrial Information Management of the Lapeyre Group approached several ERP editors then selected Diapason, developed by ISIA. This choice was based on several criteria:

• The ERP could support the Progress database that is exploited in a multi-platform environment and stores all the company's strategic data;
• An ERP that is easy to parameterise to meet the specific requirements of each site;
• An editor that is on hand and aware of the challenges and aims of Lapeyre, particularly in terms of future upgrading.

The adoption of the ERP encouraged Lapeyre to rethink its system infrastructure that was composed of heterogeneous environments (Unix, VMS .). Bearing in mind the importance of the data, the new architecture had to offer a high availability of access and an excellent standard of service for end users. Three companies were approached and HP was selected because of the quality and performance of its hardware and also because of the large range available as Christophe Chapet, Industrial Information Manager with Lapeyre explains: " With factories of varying sizes it is important to equip each site with a server platform suited to its needs. With the HP 9000 servers, HP was the only company to offer a wide choice of reliable and high performance hardware under HP-UX."

Lapeyre ordered 26 HP 9000 servers (two per site) of varying performances, HP disc bays and HP storage libraries. This hardware was purchased under a leasing contract from HP financial services. “Thanks to HP we can change the machines every three years allowing us to upgrade hardware without disturbing usage, whilst managing our investment in the most efficient manner.” Christophe Chapet added, “We are currently using the RP 54 xx and RP 74 xx series”.
The first implementation of Diapason was with Oxxo at Cluny (a subsidiary of Lapeyre manufacturing tailor made PVC fittings). This was a pilot site in terms of industrial organisation and methodology that was then applied to other sites. HP Services was responsible for the installation and parameterisation of the servers. “Since then, it is Dominique Blond, our systems’ man, trained by HP, who looks after the various set ups” commented Christophe Chapet.

Advantages

Thanks to its ERP, Lapeyre now has a global view of the activity of the different production units (facilitating responsiveness to client orders) and optimised accounting management (promoting better cost containment). As Christophe Chapet explains, they are also very satisfied with the system architecture: “We particularly appreciate the robustness of the HP platforms. Since Diapason has been on line, we have never had to stop a site for more than a day. Our information system boasts over 99% availability.” He concludes: “Our relationship with HP is based on confidence and clear communication. Every time we have a new project, we call in HP. Recently HP helped us to implement a cluster of servers to improve the service rate on a production site that runs 360 days a year.

About Lapeyre

Lapeyre was created in 1931. It specialises in durable fittings for the home targeting the general public via its Lapeyre La Maison branding. The company focuses on four areas: kitchens, bathrooms, interior and exterior woodwork. Lapeyre joined the Saint Gobain Group in 1996 and now employs 9,600 people, has 13 production sites, 300 retail outlets and achieved a turnover of 1.4 billion euros in 2003.

Background

In order to standardise its different production management systems, the Lapeyre Group equipped itself with the ERP Diapason from ISIA and an HP server infrastructure.

Solution

- Integrated management software package Diapason (edited by ISIA)
- 26 HP 9000 servers
- HP disc bays
- HP storage libraries

Advantages

- Improved visibility of the activity of the different production sites within the Group
- Optimisation of processes
- Standardisation of accounting rules
- High availability of access to the information system

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