“Innovations in Operational Processes and Organization” (POI) is a program run by the German state of Schleswig-Holstein to promote the application of new methods and the optimization of workflows and business processes in SMEs. As part of the POI program, ppi Media is now receiving extensive funding for a project aimed at radically redefining its order-to-cash process.

Following the management buyout by Dr. Hauke Berndt and Manuel Scheyda in 2019, ppi Media GmbH is now taking the opportunity afforded by the POI program to replace the old ERP system inherited from its former parent company with a modern infrastructure. The aim is to create a more competitive and agile company while securing jobs. “The previous ERP system used by ppi Media was never tailored to our requirements as a modern medium-sized company with a focus on digitalization and process optimization. We’re also reviewing our current processes and consolidating them to achieve a very high level of automation. This is freeing up resources, which will ultimately benefit our customers”, says Dr. Hauke Berndt, CEO of ppi Media GmbH.

Funding for the “SPICE” project

As part of a local economic program with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), ppi Media is now receiving extensive grants to implement its ongoing project known as “SPICE” (Streamlined Process Innovation for Controlling Efficiency) with the aim of introducing a new ERP solution based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The funding has been granted by Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein GmbH (WTSH) on behalf of the State of Schleswig-Holstein.

The changeover will ensure radically optimized processes for the services provided by ppi Media GmbH, helping to secure jobs and possibly even to create new ones. “The restructuring of our order-to-cash process will make us much more efficient in dealing with accounting and administrative processes, helping us to free up resources and focus more on our actual business activities. As an international company from North Germany, this will lay the foundations for us to remain competitive in the future. WTSH also recognizes the radical nature of our project and we’re grateful that they’ve approved our funding”, says Dr. Hauke Berndt, CEO of ppi Media GmbH.