Simona Zavratnik (Petrokov): Through Digitalization, We Have Enhanced All Aspects of Business, from Internal Processes to Customer and Supplier Relations

As a leading company in the field of sales and distribution of sanitary equipment, heating, and air conditioning, Petrokov has always strived for innovation and improvement of its business processes. In an increasingly competitive environment with demanding customer expectations, it is crucial to find solutions that ensure sustainable growth and efficiency. One of the key decisions of the company was the introduction of a comprehensive ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, SAP Business One, which has enabled significant changes in the way of doing business. Simona Zavratnik, the director and co-owner of Petrokov, explained how digitalization has impacted the company’s business processes, facilitated employee work, and enabled better connections with customers and suppliers.

Why did you choose the SAP Business One solution?

– We chose it based on the recommendation of our business partner who already had positive experiences with this solution. Our previous ERP solution was local and did not allow for business improvement, integration of additional solutions, and connection with other companies in the group. Given that we planned to grow the business, the local solution could not support our ambitions. SAP Business One proved to be a solution that can support our long-term growth strategy and provide us with greater flexibility in business.

How did the system adapt to your business?

– SAP Business One adapted to our business by providing us with flexibility and the ability to integrate with our existing systems. We implemented various modules, which have proven to be crucial for our operations. For example, the warehouse management module allowed us better control over inventory, while the finance module provided detailed insight into our financial status in real-time. By customizing and adapting the system to our specific needs, we achieved a high degree of automation and efficiency.

How has it improved Petrokov’s operations?

– With the introduction of SAP Business One, we significantly improved the efficiency of our business. First of all, this system allowed us access to real-time business information, which is crucial for faster and more accurate decision-making. Given the dynamic nature of the market, the ability to instantly view financial and operational data allows us to quickly respond to changes and adjust our strategies. One of the key changes we implemented is the Warehouse Management System (WMS), which has drastically facilitated warehouse operations. WMS allows us better control over inventory, reduces the possibility of errors during storage and issuance of goods, and increases the overall productivity of warehouse operations. Thanks to WMS, we can better manage inventory and optimize warehouse space, resulting in faster and more accurate delivery of products to our customers.

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Simona Zavratnik

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Has customer and supplier business improved?

– By automating the ordering process and communication with suppliers, we have improved our B2B (business-to-business) operations. This system allows us faster order processing and reduces the possibility of human errors. Additionally, automatic updates of order and inventory data reduce the need for manual data entry, which significantly saves time and resources. Increased productivity and reduced costs are direct results of this automation. The integration of SAP Business One with our business partners and customers has enabled us to provide faster and higher quality service. With better connectivity and data transparency, we can more accurately predict our customers’ needs and timely fulfill their requests. Furthermore, our customers now have the ability to access information about their orders and inventory status, which increases their trust and satisfaction with our service.

All these changes have resulted in an overall improvement in the efficiency of our business, a reduction in operational costs, and an increase in the satisfaction of our customers and business partners.

What else has been simplified and automated?

– We have simplified administration, including the creation of sales contracts and requests for opening new item codes. We have automated invoicing processes, which has reduced the time needed for invoice processing and decreased the possibility of errors. Business with related companies has also been automated, allowing for simpler ordering of goods and opening of codes, which has increased our productivity and reduced operational costs. Real-time insight into financial data is tailored to each user, improving transparency and financial management.

How has digitalization facilitated business operations?

– It has significantly facilitated business operations by providing real-time insight into financial data, tailored for each user. This capability allows for faster and more accurate decision-making, as management and employees have access to up-to-date information necessary for optimizing business processes and strategies. We have introduced digital signing of delivery notes, which has accelerated the delivery process and reduced administrative costs. This innovation not only saves time but also reduces the possibility of errors, thereby increasing the reliability and efficiency of our logistics. Retail payment processing through card transactions has enabled faster and safer transactions, improving our customers’ experience. Faster and safer transactions mean less waiting at checkout, greater customer satisfaction, and increased security in handling financial resources. Additionally, we plan to further enhance business operations by digitalizing reporting processes, which will allow us more detailed data analysis and better strategic planning. With improved reporting processes, we can more accurately track performance and quickly identify areas for improvement.

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Simona Zavratnik, director and co-owner of Petrokov

photo Vedran Peteh/Cropix

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What does digitalization mean for the competitiveness of companies?

– Petrokov has recognized the importance of digitalization as a key factor for maintaining competitiveness and achieving sustainable growth. We realized that in the modern business environment, relying on traditional methods and systems can prove to be a significant limiting factor. Digitalization has provided us with the opportunity to improve all aspects of business, from internal processes to customer and supplier relations. In a broader context, the importance of digitalization in today’s business environment cannot be overstated. Digitalization has become imperative for companies that want to remain competitive in the global market. It enables faster adaptation to market changes, optimization of business processes, and better service delivery to customers. Companies that successfully digitalize their operations can more quickly adapt to new challenges, such as changes in consumer habits, technological innovations, and regulatory requirements. I would emphasize that digitalization is not just an option, but a necessity for modern business. Petrokov has recognized this necessity and opted for a comprehensive digital transformation. This step has allowed us to be more agile, innovative, and competitive, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success in an increasingly demanding business environment.

What were the challenges in implementing the SAP Business One solution?

– The implementation took several months and involved numerous challenges. The first challenge was adapting the system to our specific needs, which required thorough analysis and planning. The second challenge was training employees to use the new system, which involved education and adaptation to new processes and technologies. We also faced challenges related to data migration from the old system to the new one, which required precision and attention to ensure data accuracy and integrity.

How did you overcome them?

– Through thorough preparation and training of our employees. The hardest part was adapting to the new way of working and ensuring that all employees fully understood how to use the new tools and processes. We organized numerous training sessions and workshops to ensure that our employees acquired the necessary knowledge and skills. We also established a support system to quickly address any issues and questions that arose during implementation.

In collaboration with the implementer B-ONE Solutions, who guided us based on their long-standing international experience and quickly enabled all our specific requirements, we managed to transform to new systems without jeopardizing ongoing business operations.

How has the new system facilitated employee work?

– It has significantly facilitated employee work by providing easier access to information and automating many routine tasks. They can now perform their tasks faster and more efficiently, with less administrative work and more time to focus on strategic activities. Increased transparency and availability of data have enabled better management and faster decision-making, further improving the work environment and employee satisfaction.

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