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AAE strengthens purchasing processes with SCSN
Over the past twenty years, AAE, a leading specialist in high-tech solutions, has emerged as a frontrunner in process optimization. With a focus on high-mix, low-volume production, AAE partners with companies worldwide. A continuous drive for innovation and improvement is central to the company’s success. A recent example is the implementation of the Smart Connected Supplier Network (SCSN) within its purchasing department. The initiative has already delivered significant time savings, higher data quality, and more efficient collaboration with suppliers.
The driving forces behind the innovation
Anja Geboers, Project Buyer at AAE, has played a key role in the purchasing department for six years. As project lead and key user for the SCSN initiative, she is responsible for daily implementation and system optimization. “The great thing about this project is that we’re adding much more value to the purchasing process with the same team,” says Anja. “The administrative burden disappears, and we can focus on what really matters: the quality of our collaboration with suppliers.”
Rob Fleuren, ICT Director at AAE since 2017, oversees company-wide IT streamlining. Together with his team of technology experts and key users from different departments, he ensures that AAE gets the most out of Isah ERP. “AAE has been using Isah since 2002. When I joined, we reimplemented it to eliminate customizations and work fully according to Isah standards,” Rob explains. “Since then, we’ve added more modules, including the purchasing contract module and, most recently, SCSN. It’s fantastic to see how these process innovations contribute to our growth ambitions.”
Why choose SCSN?
For AAE, adopting SCSN was a strategic move. The Smart Connected Supplier Network, an initiative supported by Brainport, provides a standardized way to electronically exchange orders, confirmations, and other key data between companies.
“We saw the potential of SCSN early on,” Rob says. “When Isah joined as a service provider, we began seriously exploring its benefits. As a growing company handling up to 3,000 purchase order lines a week, we saw a clear opportunity to minimize administrative work and accelerate processes.”
Traditionally, order lines were checked manually using PDFs and emails, which was time-consuming. Now, with SCSN, deviations are flagged automatically, allowing staff to focus on managing exceptions rather than reviewing every line. “That’s essential for supporting growth without needing to bring in additional employees,” Anja adds.
The implementation process: overcoming early challenges
Rolling out SCSN required detailed preparation and close coordination with suppliers. “It all starts with verifying item data,” Anja explains. “Everything has to be correct, from unit measurements to payment terms. Once that’s in place, we run test orders to catch any errors early. We have learned that each newly connected supplier presents its own unique challenges.”
Getting the data right for the first few suppliers took significant effort, but Rob emphasizes it paid off: “SCSN forces you to view your data with complete clarity and make sure it’s accurate. In the past, small inconsistencies were often overlooked. Now, that is no longer possible, and the quality of our data has improved significantly.”
The collaboration with Isah was also key to success. “We needed support from Isah consultants for the first few suppliers,” Anja says. “After that, we could largely manage the process ourselves. It takes hands-on experience and a willingness to learn, but once the system is running, the benefits are huge.”
The benefits: time savings and data reliability
Since implementing SCSN, the improvements have been immediately noticeable. The purchasing department, with 20 to 25 team members, now spends far less time on routine data entry and more on strategic activities. “Previously, every order line had to be checked manually. Now, exceptions are flagged automatically,” Anja says. “That gives us more time to improve supplier QLTC performance and less time spent on administrative tasks.”
Another major benefit is data reliability. Information flows directly from the supplier into the ERP system, so it’s always accurate and up to date. “The risk of errors, like incorrectly entered items, has dropped significantly,” Anja adds. “It builds trust and makes the work more enjoyable for everyone.”
Future plans and ambitions
Although AAE has already made impressive progress, there are still plenty of plans for further automation. Currently, eight suppliers are connected to SCSN, and more are in discussions. “We’ve created a wishlist of priority suppliers, and we bring up SCSN in every conversation,” Rob says. “Our goal is to scale up significantly by 2025.”
The company is also exploring additional features in the SCSN roadmap, including delivery notes and warehouse integration. “We want to eliminate as many administrative tasks as possible so we can focus on value creation,” Rob explains. “We’re also looking into how SCSN can help us collaborate more efficiently across the supply chain, for example by sharing forecasts.”
Rob sees a bright future ahead: “The more companies that join SCSN, the more efficient the entire supply chain will become. It offers transparency, reduces inventory, and shortens lead times. That benefits not only us but the entire industry.”
Advancing with Isah and SCSN
Through the integration of SCSN and a continuous focus on process optimization, AAE demonstrates how technology can drive growth and innovation. By making smart use of Isah ERP and new digital solutions like SCSN, the company continues to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive market.
