The ERP package with the most functionalities for the food sector
Claerhout Computer Engineering (CCE) has been targeting the food industry with its modular ERP package LISA for some 30 years and today has some 170 customers who have implemented it. The family-run company from Oosterzele configures the software and implements it, all the way down to its customers' shop floors. After all, the loyal and experienced team of 52 employees has extensive knowledge of the food sector and the projects, as well as an emphasis on total customer care. Through its sister company, Alfa Informatic, CCE also offers IT infrastructure for both software and hardware, giving customers a single point of contact for all IT questions.
The integrated ERP package LISA is the tool to make business processes in the food industry efficient and transparent. The full integration of modules for purchasing, sales, stock management, production and accounting including a wide product range and multi-site management, the combination between desktop and mobile devices, and the easy linking with external packages, make this software based on PROGRESS technology the key to success for customers/project leads.
Finance & ERP
“CCE was founded in 1989 by my parents Geert Claerhout and Claudine De Seranno. Almost immediately, at the request of the Albert Frère Group, they developed the LISA Finance package, which would be implemented in many other financial organisations over the years," says Jan Claerhout. His sister Bo continues: "The first steps towards ERP in the food industry followed in the mid-1990s, when our specialists, with help and advice from the industry, developed a very generic application with typical functionalities. As a result of the many additional rules and regulations following the dioxin crisis in 1999, food companies were looking for applications to computerise and automate all these domains and procedures (tracing, FASFC, etc.). The specifications of wholesale distribution were also extended to include the use of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), through which the computer systems of producers and wholesale distributors communicate with each other and exchange data such as orders, order confirmations, deliveries, invoices, etc. - all fully automatically. Better working procedures not only lead to more satisfied LISA users, but also allow the demanding users to meet all the requirements imposed by the government and their project leads/customers.”
The choice to work with SMEs in the food sector is very deliberate.
Generic solution, modular concept
CCE deliberately choose to focus on the food industry, more specifically to work with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), because, like themselves, they have a no-nonsense culture with short lines of communication and decision-making. An ERP package with very specific yet indispensable functionalities for the food world available as standard is a must. It increases efficiency and reduces the risk of errors. LISA ERP is also modular, allowing CCE to tailor this software package perfectly to its customers' needs and demands.
Customer focus and service
"We are very pleased to be able to count on a team of loyal and passionate employees who know their work inside out. They speak the customer's language, allowing us to work efficiently and remain focused on service. New customers are often impressed by our people's industry experience. The implementation team visits a wide variety of companies in the food sector. This gives employees an opportunity to gain knowledge, which can then be used to advise other companies on how to optimise their operations. Of course, this is done at all times without violating deontological rules. This is greatly appreciated by customers," Jan points out. "This way we can integrate all the functionalities that are important in the industry into the LISA ERP package. Just think of variable weight, unit conversion, trip management, UVD, quality monitoring, nutritional, allergenic and microbiological product properties, EDI, relationship with wholesale distribution, diverging BOM or recipe, MRP & CRP, linkage with scales, labelling and packaging machines, just to name a few. Moreover, our team of certified systems engineers also ensures perfect operation of the IT infrastructure. So we unburden our customers from A to Z, leaving them to focus on their core business."
Continuously evolving and innovating
CCE, and especially LISA ERP, have a strong reputation in the market. They work hard every day to expand and optimise the package. The most recent innovations are two new handy, mobile applications: LISA Truck and LISA Workflow. These apps provide greater efficiency and convenience to perform tasks on a tablet or smartphone when working remotely or when mobile. LISA Truck provides all the required information, from routes to packing slips to empty returns, and is directly connected to LISA ERP. With LISA Workflow, authorised persons can quickly approve or reject with minimal effort any documents such as purchase invoices, order forms or orders in order to optimise and speed up the workflow within the company.
The employees are our ambassadors, who configure and implement a customised ERP package every time.
Strong partner, guaranteeing long-term continuity
LISA ERP has since become a fixture with various customers in processing (meat, fish, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, etc.), distribution, the refrigeration and freezing sector, the bakery world, and more. An overview of the many references can be found at www.cce.be. "Continuity is a key word in our operations and partnerships with our customers and suppliers. We therefore strive for a long-term relationship, completely unburdening customers. We will reinvest one-quarter of our sales revenue into the continual development of the LISA ERP application. Already from day 1, CCE has been working with PROGRESS technology," says Jan Claerhout. "An added bonus is the highly experienced and loyal team of employees, which means customers have a regular contact person for years. They are our ambassadors, who, together with the customers, keep looking at the ERP package composed of different modules. A partnership for many years to come."
Qfor quality label and SME subsidies
"CCE was awarded the Qfor label for service companies for the 8th time in a row in 2022. This is similar to audits such as BRC or IFS in the food sector. Qfor examines customer satisfaction, project management and quality policy. According to the report, customers particularly appreciate the competence available, the open communication structure, and the knowledge of the products and services provided," concludes Bo Claerhout. "This was not only a recognition of our company and the way we work, but also brings benefits to our customers. Indeed, the label gives them access to subsidies from the SME portfolio when engaging our services."