AKZONOBEL NOW HAS A MORE EFFICIENT, SPEEDY AND USER-FRIENDLY APPROVAL PROCESS: ‘APP. APP.’

Challenge: finding an efficient approval application

AkzoNobel didn’t have an efficient approval process in place to review pending credit limits and blocked orders, which caused problems when determining workflows: it wasn’t exactly clear who needed to approve which order. Moreover, AkzoNobel was using an SAP (FSCM) solution, which wasn’t efficient, nor user-friendly enough. The solution the company was looking for, needed to be usable by end-users and stakeholders, and adaptable to mobile platforms.

Solution: more efficient, speedy and user-friendly approval process

From day one, the experts at Cloud++ embedded themselves at AkzoNobel. They organized workshops with the team at Akzo, building trust deciding on priorities and defined the roadmaps and scopes that would be at the core of the partnership. Because Cloud++ was able to re-use pre-built features and building blocks from past projects, the team put together a Proof of Concept within four weeks. Through demos and experiments, the feasibility of the intended concept was verified and approved.

Working with a small and efficient team who were always on call, meant that the time-to-market was extremely fast. The main results can be measured in the time saved, particularly on the clarity and process-side, which has significantly been reduced.

Technical Details

Cloud++ built a development platform for AkzoNobel’s business applications, consisting of reusable modules that support an easy implementation of applications like the App. App. This platform is built on open source technologies like docker, nodejs, angularjs, hosted on Azure with a multiple data center approach. The platform integrates with 25+ Akzonobel internal systems, such as SAP and Dynamics ERPs, or product management systems, chatbots, BI, Office 365, active directory, and external data providers.

Results: more efficient, speedier and user-friendly

Cloud++ built a solution for AkzoNobel that ensures a more efficient, speedy and user-friendly approval process: App. App. ("Approval Application"), a system now used all over the world by nearly a thousand users, including sales managers, finance directors and support functions. Based on the data it retrieves (from multiple data sources like SAP (ERP) and D&B), the tool determines who the approvers are and send these back to the SAP system so they can be tracked. There will be an automated email sent out to the approvers to review the request and give their feedback. It gives continuous and live information on the status, until this is approved/rejected for a credit limit request or released/cancelled for a blocked order. App. App. registers everything and sends all data back to SAP, allowing it to retrieve everything that's historically been done.

Much faster feedback on credit limit requests and blocked orders

12 weeks time-to-market

user-friendly interface for the end-users and App.App. approvers

Why Cloud++

AkzoNobel and Cloud++ were already working together on different CRM solutions and our open source development platform, making collaboration on App. App. a natural transition.

The partnership went extremely smoothly, as we collaborated on the project and faced hurdles together head-on.
The whole process was built on agile software development, which ensured we were iterative, and the solution evolved through collaboration between two cross-functional teams.

As such, after the initial implementation and completion of the full setup, we had weekly check-ins to discuss the status of what tickets are open, which individual is working on what, what is or isn’t moving and what can we improve upon. Today, we only have contact when needed, but Cloud++ is always there when anyone at AkzoNobel has questions or needs help on parts within the application.

Cédric Hofman

"Cloud++ solutions are unlimited, simple and extremely user-friendly. The teamwork between AkzoNobel and Cloud++ was fantastic and ran ultra-smooth."

About AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel has a passion for paint. As experts in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, they're setting the standard in color and protection since 1792. AkzoNobel's world-class portfolio and brands-including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. Headquartered in the Netherlands, they are active in over 150 countries and employ around 35,000 talented people who are passionate about delivering the high-performance products and services and their customers expect.

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