4PS MAGAZINE September...Index 4PS MAGAZINE COLOPHONThis magazine informs you about the developments...

Odd man out or obvious choice?

Nsecure, specialist in the field of access control, is working with 4PS Construct.

‘This really gives me energy!’

Geert Stevens of Construction company Vaessen on the 4PS Document Portal:

4PS MAGAZINETHE MAGAZINE WITH NEWS ABOUT MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV 4PS CONSTRUCT, INTEGRATED SOFTWARE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND INSTALLATION INDUSTRY

SEPTEMBER 2017

Index

4PS MAGAZINE COLOPHONThis magazine informs you about the developments regarding to ICT and ERP, our 4PS Construct solution

and complementary solutions of our partners. Intended for the Installation, Service & Maintenance, Civil

Engineering and Construction Industry.


Odd man out or obvious choice?4

Final editing: 4PS – Editorial Text: Pieter van Kesteren – Production & Design: Meurs Grafische Vormgeving Photography: Paulien Varkevisser – Print: BDU print

Preface


‘This really gives me energy!’10

I never get tired of sharing news on how 4PS continues to grow and thrive. Over the last period, we have signed contracts with wonderful companies including Strukton Rail, CityTec and Dijkstra Draisma. We thank you for trusting us to be your automation partner!

Acquisition MetaphorixI am also very pleased to announce that at the end of June, we reached an agreement with Metaphorix, until recently our partner in the UK. This full acquisition is a real milestone for 4PS! As we have been working in partnership with Metaphorix for approximately 10 years, the impact of this change is expected to be minimal; for our UK employees, our UK customers and for the cooperation with our technology partner Microsoft. As a result of this acquisition, 4PS will become an international organization with approximately 200 employees active both directly in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and, via partners, in 17 other countries.

A word from our clients Enough about 4PS! As you have come to expect from us, this magazine also high-lights our customers. This time we hear from Nsecure, a well-organized company from Barendrecht, focused on effective access control. Vaessen construction com-pany from Raamsdonksveer also share their experiences with the 4PS Document Portal, which they have been using since 2016. What has led them to opt for this portal and how has it affected their work processes?

Digital transformationWe would also like to update you on the latest developments concerning our product strategy which includes IoT (Internet of Things), Machine Learning and Mixed Reality. At our customer event last June, we presented an intelligent process scenario to a full house in the Reehorst convention center in the city of Ede. Client feedback on this presentation tells us considerable improvements can still be made with respect to efficiency, and this will therefore continue to have our full attention.

For now, we hope you enjoy reading our magazine and thank you for your interest in 4PS.

Martin Westerink, 4PS Partner

4PS International: acquisition of Metaphorix 13

8Predictive maintenance thanks to intelligent processes

How Nsecure reached this decision has everything to do with the way in which the company has been developing in a market which has undergone a number of far-reaching transitions over the last decades. ‘The technology in the field of security available in de mid-1990s in no way compares to what we are able to offer today’, says Alex Smaling. ‘During those first years, security was mainly a physical matter and primarily key-based. The first groundbreaking transition was the introduction of the electronic access pass. The next significant development was what I call the ‘IP revolution’ in which communication via networks beca-

me common practice. This proved to be the starting point from which the entire digital transformation set off: systems already connected to networks could also collect a wide range of other data relevant for access control.’

Total security solution packageNsecure proactively went along with these transitions and has developed into a company that devises, implements and main-tains advanced access control solutions, tailored to their custo-mers’ business activities. They provide total solution packages: integral systems for which hospitality, security, compliance, con-tinuity and operational management are considered by Nsecure as a whole. Nsecure aims to be both partner and director.

By means of innovative and smart combinations of IT, techno-logy and human supervision, the company wants to support their customers in safeguarding both the unimpeded continuity of their business processes and the safety of their employees and buildings, all this as unobtrusively as possibly. Alex Smaling: ‘We aim to offer total package, sustainable and user-friendly safety solutions and fully cater to our customers’ needs.’ The answer to the question ‘Why 4PS Construct?’ lies in this last comment.

Process automation falling behind on rapid growthIt all started with Nsecure’s internal automation falling behind on the rapid growth the company was experiencing during the first decade of this century. ‘Our previous system was based on NAV 3.70 and contained a considerable number of solutions tailor-made for Nsecure’, according to Marcel Slager. ‘When our then solution partner ceased their activities, we were forced to face our IT-limitations.’The people responsible at Nsecure put their heads together, drew up a list of requirements and issued an ERP-tender. ‘The response was considerable’, says Marcel Slager. ‘The longlist soon became shorter, however, when our demands (especially with respect to the required breadth of the package) proved to be too much for some. As we aim to take as much off our clients’ hands as possible, the new ERP-application needed to house a wide range of business processes. For example, project manage-ment, reporting, service & maintenance, portals, planning, digi-tal worksheets and financial processing. A lot of suppliers pulled out on this point.’

‘Nsecure aims to be both partner

and director’

Odd man out or obvious choice?


Why would a company such as Nsecure, an expert in the field of effective access control, opt for an ERP-system that was originally designed for the construction and installation business? Founded in 1995, Nsecure ensures that companies have their access control, processes and access management in order and under control, so that they can fully focus on their core business. Nsecure’s clientele is largely from the top 500 business in the sectors industry, government, healthcare, transport, leisure, utility and financial services. Nsecure’s business activities seem to bear little relation to the construction and installation industry. But appearances can be deceiving! Manager Business IT at Nsecure, Alex Smaling and Product Manager Marcel Slager, were involved in the selection and implementation process proceeding the ‘go-live’ of 4PS Construct. They explain why their choice for the Microsoft Dynamics NAV based ERP-solution by 4PS proved to be the most obvious one.

Alex Smaling, Manager Business IT & Marcel Slager, Productmanager at Nsecure

4PS Magazine 54 4PS Magazine

The main office of Nsecure in Barendrecht, the Netherlands

4PS Magazine 76 4PS Magazine

Service functionality was the deciding factorIn the end, two candidates remained: 4PS and another party. ‘At first we were surprised to learn that 4PS, a company focused mainly on the construction and installation sector, was among these last two’, Marcel Slager says. ‘We soon discovered, howe-ver, this wasn’t very surprising after all, as the modular structure of their ERP-application offers exactly the broad functionality we were looking for. Moreover, with Microsoft Dynamics NAV as its foundation, reliability and continuity are safeguarded.’ Subsequently, both parties set up a demo based on Nsecure’s daily practice. ‘But we still had trouble deciding’, says Marcel Slager. ‘Ultimately, the extra functionality with respect to service and maintenance was the deciding factor.’The selection process took approximately five months: ‘In our own business, we strive for perfection and absolute security. Obviously, this also applies to our choice of business application supporting us on this mission.’

Significant improvements in administrative processesAlex Smaling: ‘We engaged our user group in the process from the start. We tried to explain what we do and why we do it as much as possible, which resulted in a smooth implementation and “go-live”.’The implementation taking quite some time and not all functio-nality being available on the go-live on 14 March 2016, were due

to the sizeable step from NAV 3.70 to NAV 2015. ‘Remember that we did not have a comprehensive package in place yet and our demands were substantial’, Slager says. This required quite a few organizational adjustments. Our service department in particular

were forced to change the way they work completely. Our field service employees went from physical worksheets and e-mails to a single, uniform, digital solution. For the time being, this only invol- ves 4PS Mobile but its successor, the 4PS Field Service App which enables employees to use their smartphone, will soon follow.’ When questioned about how experiences have been so far, Marcel Slager responds: ‘Very positive! Our supporting admi-nistrative processes, both the project and service administration and the procurement administration, have seen significant im-provements. Considerable time savings are being achieved here.

‘From physical worksheets and e-mails

to a single, uniform, digital solution’

They are now much more efficient, and since less typing is requi-red, less errors are made.’ He also has high expectations of the 4PS Service Portal: ‘The first customer is now up and running and others are ready to get started.’ Particularly ‘magnificent’ he finds the fact that ‘we can now link we our own intelligent security systems to 4PS Construct!’

New challengesIn the meantime, developments are ongoing. ‘In 2018, new European legislation will be introduced with regards to data pro-tection (General Data Protection Regulation)’, according to Alex Smaling. ‘At Nsecure, we will have to take this into account.’ Also, safety standards are being raised and there is also the introduc-tion of new biometric verification- and identification technology. For example, ‘finger vein recognition’, based on the unique vein pattern in your fingers.’

Nsecure is working on further developing their IT-services, in-cluding their workflow application (Data client). This workflow application automates the access process from login to autho-rization and all processes in between. This application does not only perform verification based on identity, you now also have to prove you have the skills to perform certain activities at a parti-cular location.

Other technologies are also being introduced via 4PS: IoT, BIM and several innovations in terms of self-learning applications, so-called Machine Learning. Marcel Slager: ‘We are busy researching to what extent we can use these via ERP for our own business. This is why we are working closely with 4PS, having quarterly meetings about these matters. And we will continue to do so.’ ‘Indeed’, Alex Smaling agrees, ‘because the end of the digital transformation is by no means in sight!’

‘The end of the digital transformation is by no means in sight!’

Predictive maintenance thanks to intelligent processes

8 4PS Magazine 4PS Magazine 9

Digital companyDigital Transformation is rapidly evolving, opening doors and offering new opportunities for our customers to expand their services based on new data. Recent developments in the field of digitization enable us to make business processes intelligent, thereby creating a digital company. At the 4PS customer event in June, those present were treated to an ‘intelligent maintenance process’ illustrated by means of a practical example. In this process we showed that by means of the Internet of Things (IoT) we can measure actual values, based on which Machine Learning subsequently allows us to make a prediction of the device’s status. This outcome serves as the basis for our mobility and Mixed Reality applications in order to control the field service. Internet of ThingsOne of the hottest topics at the moment is IoT, which enables devices to be connected to the internet and subsequently gather and send data independently. For example, a central heating boiler periodically reporting its water temperature and water and gas pressure via the internet. 4PS Construct allows you to receive and save this data by means of IoT. Oftentimes these reports have to satisfy certain conditions. For example, the temperature in a room having to remain within a certain range. If the values recorded exceed or fall below this range, a service call is automatically created in 4PS Construct and sent through to the field service. Azure Machine learning We have been researching all the options Azure Machine Learning, a cloud service which is part of the Cortana Intelligence Suite, has to offer. Azure Machine Learning is a technique designed to enable computers to recognize and learn from existing data in order to be able to forecast future behavior and results. These predictions can make your devices and applications smarter. For example, Machine Learning makes it possible to predict device failure based on your IoT data. In case of an imminent malfunction, this is communicated to 4PS Construct. 4PS Construct can be setup in such a way that a call is automatically created if the recorded forecast is too high or low. This means you will be kept up to speed on possible deviations and it will help you prevent failure of the central heating boiler before it occurs.

Mobility and Mixed RealityData collection and management is of crucial importance for digital transformation within the digital company. At 4PS, we are making every effort to provide access to data in places where it is needed. We are fully focused on the development of apps which is reflected in our elaborate roadmap. In addition to traditional apps, we also see the introduction of other technologies such as Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality. We have been experimenting with Mixed Reality – a combination of the best features of Virtual and Augmented Reality – by investigating the application of the Microsoft HoloLens. For this purpose, we use practical examples from the construction industry that meet our customers’ demands. We have been testing the options for a field service employee on location. The HoloLens allows us to invoke a digital representation or ‘digital twin’ of an object from within 4PS Construct. This digital twin provides information on, for example, the technical specifications of a central heating boiler, its manual or the inspection list that needs to be carried out. Also, we have studied the option of an ‘exploded view’ (see image) of the specific object to be displayed (e.g. a central heating boiler). In this way, the employee is offered the opportunity of viewing all component parts of the particular boiler on location. The mechanic is now conscious of all parts in the device, how it is constructed, when it was most recently serviced and what might be the problem, without having to disassemble the boiler.

We hope to have offered some insight in the possibilities arising from the recent developments in digitization. In order to facilitate an intelligent process and make sure it suits your needs, we will continue to develop intelligent solutions. We hope to achieve this by further connecting BIM, Microsoft Dynamics NAV 4PS Construct, IoT and Mobility.

Ever since the introduction of the PC, local computer networks, the internet, mobile networks, smartphones, tablets and the considerable investments made in cloud centers, the digital transformation has continued to spread out. Physical products such as machines and technical components (heat pumps, building management systems, domotics) are becoming increasingly intelligent and are now able to communicate digitally on their own.

Example of an ‘exploded view’ – The mechanic can see all component parts of the device and their status, without having to disassemble it.

In the ‘60s, the construction company Vaessen from Raamsdonksveer established almost 90 years ago, made the radical change to the construction of turnkey sports centers. Since then, Vaessen has managed to become market leader in the development of social real estate, with a special focus on accommodation for sports, education and fire departments. Key words in the company philosophy are creativity, innovation, sustainability and providing solutions for their clients, mostly local authorities and government related companies. Vaessen, positioning itself as a ‘medium-sized, nationally operating construction company’, has been working with 4PS Construct since 2004. The company was also one of the first to start using the 4PS Document Portal. After an 18 month intensive preparation period, it was put into use in January 2016. Geert Stevens, who was in charge of the implementation at Vaessen, considers the Document Portal to be a crucial instrument for chain cooperation and is very pleased with the results achieved with 4PS so far.

Geert Stevens – ‘manager ICT and innovation it says on my card’ – does not waste any time. ‘This is what you came to see, didn’t you?’, he says laughing, while activating the 4PS Document Portal on a large screen on the conference room wall. With a few simple gestures he showcases the portal’s structure and by means of flowcharts and their corresponding rubrics he reveals how the consecutive processes and process elements are placed in the portal per project.

Real pioneersIt all looks very organized, logical and comprehensible. ‘Yes’, he says, ‘but what it doesn’t immediately show is how much time and effort was put into achieving this result. In close cooperation with 4PS, our core team worked on it for more than 18 months. And it is important to remember that a portal such as this is an absolute novelty in the construction industry. In that respect, we are real pioneers!’The implementation of the 4PS Document Portal has everything to do with the introduction of a new contract type UAV-GC (uni-form administrative conditions for the execution of construction works) in the Netherlands, which is gaining ground within the construction industry as well. ‘Originally, the UAV-GC is from the civil engineering industry’, according to Geert Stevens. ‘Basically, this type of contract entails that the contractor is res-ponsible for both design and realization. Moreover, it is based on a completely different working method which is focused on quality assurance: you now need to prove that you are living up to your promises. You must be able to present a plan and substantiation drawn up by all parties involved in advance and make sure you document and record everything during the course of the project.’

Urgent need for information flow manage-mentAs an innovative developer and builder of social real estate, Vaessen had been looking for a tool which would help them manage and share project information safely and efficiently for some time. Geert Stevens: ‘We take the entire project of our customer’s hands. Besides being an executive construction company, we are fully equipped in all disciplines – design, building physics, construction – we work with BIM and use 3D as a starting point. In the chain, we collaborate with approximately 40 different suppliers and subcontractors.

This complexity requires project information to be recorded and managed from within one central location. Having a clear overview helps us work more quickly and efficiently and preven-ts errors and misunderstandings. The UAV-GC is placing extra pressure on the chain cooperation and further increases the need for optimal management of the information flow.’


‘This really gives me energy!’

Geert Stevens, manager ICT and innovation

‘We take the entire project of our

customer’s hands’


these two things. This, together with the fact that 4PS really understands our processes. Looking at the whole process, I can safely say that it has all been worth the effort. This really gives me energy!’Thanks to the 4PS Document Portal, every person who is ope-rationally involved in a particular project, both on customer and contractor side, now has access to that part of the project docu-ment flow relevant for him/her. Vaessen will instruct all external stakeholders on how to find their way on the portal. Geert Stevens: ‘It is no longer relevant where something is located. What matters is being able to find (the most recent version of) a document quickly and easily.’

The perfect referenceThe fact that Vaessen has an excellently setup and fully operatio-nal Document Portal in place, makes it the perfect company to serve as a reference for other 4PS customers looking for a tool to optimize their project document flow. Geert Stevens: ‘As long as it doesn’t take up too much of my time, I am certainly willing to offer a look behind the scenes. I will be happy to contribute to innovations that benefit the entire sector.’ Since then, two out of the three companies which he enthusi-astically presented the 4PS Document Portal to, have decided to purchase.

The main office of Vaessen in Raamsonksveer, the Netherlands

If you want to learn more about the 4PS Document Portal, please contact your 4PS Account Manager or visit our website at www.4ps.eu

This is why three years ago, together with 4PS and a number of fellow construction companies, Vaessen decided to work on further developing the 4PS Document Portal, of which the basic structure had already been developed by 4PS.

Uniformization and gaining support were greatest stumbling blocksTo this end, a team of key users representing all important processes and disciplines was formed at Vaessen: an architect, a project engineer, a site manager and an estimator. As they went along, they came across a critical problem: ‘Research shows that on a daily basis people spend approxima-tely half an hour of their time looking for information: where can I find the document I’m looking for, and how can I be sure this is the most recent version? When people are sharing information, a major stumbling block is the search path. The reason for this is that we all have our own way of working with folders; the “folder syndrome”, I call it. This was also the case for each member of the key user team. I think most time was spent on uniformizati-on, and in gaining overall support, of course. We had to agree on the flow charts, the various rubrics and sub-rubrics. And of course, we wanted our customers to be able to easily find what they are looking for.’

All worth the effortStevens navigate to the 4PS Document Portal homepage. ‘And this’, he proudly points out, ‘is the end result! Achieved together with 4PS, in excellent mutual collaboration. They brought in technology, knowledge and experience, while we provided input with respect to processes, setup and classification. The strength of the partnership lay in the fact that we were able to combine

4PS & Metaphorix management boards very pleased with the acquisition

4PS provides the worldwide construction industry with software that helps you get a better grasp on your projects. In the Netherlands, 4PS has the knowledge and skills to offer sound advice to companies in the construction, installation and civil engineering industry. We supply our international partners with our ERP solutions for the construction industry. They then customize it so that it meets local wishes and requirements. In other European countries we will continue to work closely with our partners.

Excellent match4PS perceives the acquisition as an obvious result of an excellent match. Much like 4PS, Metaphorix has shown an upward trend lately, providing their customers with suitable software solutions. By the incorporation of Metaphorix, 4PS is able to offer construction companies in the UK a strong foothold.

Furthermore, as a result of the acquisition we can better approach the highly competitive UK construction industry. In recent years, Metaphorix has managed to acquire a strong position within the UK market. Now that the acquisition is a reality, 4PS can build on the groundwork Metaphorix has done and work on increasing market share. Further investment in growth and focus in the UK market have thus been realized.

About MetaphorixMetaphorix was founded by Ian Cowen in 1998, beginning life as the Software Solutions Division of Mitsubishi Electric. It was later decided to focus only on Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Metaphorix is now one of the premier partners for NAV in the UK, ensuring optimal implementation with high customer satisfaction.We are looking forward to build upon the great ground-work laid in the United Kingdom so far!

4PS International: acquisition of Metaphorix We are very pleased to announce that our former UK partner, Metaphorix, will become part of the 4PS Group. 4PS International has been working with several local partners outside of the Netherlands for some time. The acquisition of Methaphorix enables us to start our own 4PS branch in the United Kingdom. A development to be proud of!

‘Together we can focus on increasing our market share in the United Kingdom’


4PS - Keplerlaan 4 - 6716 BS EDE

T +31 318 644 500 - E [email protected]

I www.4ps.eu

The 4PS Timesheet Portal allows your employees to enter their weekly timesheets themselves. The portal is based on the “Site Management Hour Accounting by Employee” functionality in 4PS Construct, enabling you to use, among others, the CAO overtime rules and kilometer grades.

4PS Timesheet PortalUsing the 4PS Timesheet Portal, your employees can fill in their timesheets at home, at the construction site, en route or at the office. As standard, all employees are shown the projects they are involved in, and can record the hours worked on the relevant project with a simple mouse click. This timesheet application also allows you to obtain a clear overview of leave records. Once the hours have been approved by the manager, the data

is directly transferred to 4PS Construct. The administration can then perform a final check before finalizing the closing. The 4PS Timesheet Portal is fully integrated with our ERP solution 4PS Construct, which means you will need to record all data only once. You create a project card in 4PS Construct and your employee records the hours worked based on this data.

As a result of desires expressed by our customers, the Timesheet Portal has seen quite a transformation. Comments on the portal’s appearance and user-friendliness have encouraged us to re-assess it. The results are impressive! The portal has been rebuilt from scratch and revamped in order to suit our customers’ wishes. It has never been more user-friendly!

Is your company still working with paper timesheets or Excel sheets? Are weekly timesheets being retyped into the 4PS Construct time recording system at the office? Does this sound familiar? If so, then your company might benefit from the 4PS Timesheet Portal, specifically designed for those who do not have access to or a license for the accounting package.

Recording hours worked anywhere and anytime

4PS MAGAZINE September...Index 4PS MAGAZINE COLOPHONThis magazine informs you about the developments...

Documents

Transcript of 4PS MAGAZINE September...Index 4PS MAGAZINE COLOPHONThis magazine informs you about the developments...