Höganäs lost a key M3 tool and found something better

When a software update removed the tool Höganäs relied on for bulk data updates, they needed a replacement that was safer, faster and free of SQL. They also got a migration partner along the way.

Höganäs began life in 1797 as a coal mining company. Today it is the world's largest supplier of metal powders, including sponge iron powder, water atomized powder and gas atomized powder.

Owned by FAM and Lindéngruppen, the company operates in 11 countries and serves customers in 75 countries worldwide.

A vital tool, gone after one update

Höganäs chose Infor M3 as its global ERP system. As major projects around upgrades and data updates picked up speed, it became clear that the team would benefit from software that supported the solution and streamlined some of their processes.

Then a regular M3 update removed the very tool Höganäs used to handle bulk data updates. There was no alternative inside M3 itself. What they needed was a way to run mass updates safely and under control, and preferably without touching SQL.

Hear from Höganäs

Höganäs invested in the Excel Add-in to support their daily work in M3 and to replace the update and data maintenance tool they had lost. Because VXL works through APIs, mass updates became more secure than before, with SQL out of the picture entirely.

The timing turned out to be useful. Höganäs was also migrating one of their newer businesses from SAP to M3, and VXL became a key part of that project. It handled the data migration and gave the new business a solid data foundation in M3.

Arvid Zernell, M3 Business Analyst at Höganäs says:
– Vince Excel Add-In worked as a perfect tool for data migration during the Infor M3 implementation project.

Safer updates, and a smooth move from SAP

Today, Höganäs uses the Excel Add-In to manage procurement more efficiently and to update and maintain prices without leaving the application. These tasks, and many others, are quicker and simpler in the Excel Add-In than in M3 itself, which saves time and cuts manual work.

Data changes that used to land on the IT department's desk are now handled directly by the business teams, with no IT intervention at all.

Migration made easier

Vince handled the data migration from SAP to M3 and set up a solid foundation for the new business.

Business teams in control

Price updates, procurement and other data changes are handled by the teams who own them, without IT.

A lost tool, replaced and improved

Excel Add-In took over the bulk update role that M3 removed, and made it more secure along the way.