Case study
Engineering Precision Under Control with Helios Inuvio
Mevi-CZ s.r.o. is the Czech representative of the international Mevi Group, a family-owned company headquartered in the Netherlands.
Since 1998, the company has specialised in the custom manufacture of one-off and small-batch components and modules based on customers’ technical drawings. Its customers typically include renowned European companies in the food and pharmaceutical industries, which Mevi-CZ supplies with parts for packaging lines, filling machines and dosing equipment.
One of the company’s key strengths is its ability to work with a wide range of materials and component sizes. Its approach is built on a high degree of flexibility, individual customer care and the ability to respond quickly to changing requirements.
Spreading Its Wings
Mevi-CZ was founded in 1998, and its early years were closely linked to its parent company in the Netherlands, which provided its first orders and materials. However, Mevi-CZ quickly built its own network of business partners. The company stabilised its team, expanded its customer portfolio and modernised its production facilities.
Over the years, Mevi-CZ continued to develop by investing in modern CNC machinery and implementing new internal processes to meet the needs of its business partners. Today, the company employs approximately 35 people, several of whom have been with Mevi-CZ since the very beginning.
The Need for Change: When the Old System Became a Barrier to Growth
For many years, the company used its own information system, custom-developed by its original founder. However, after his departure, there was no one available to maintain or further develop the system.
Problems began to arise when:
- orders were delayed,
- the production manager kept information either in his head or on paper,
- it was unclear where delays were occurring,
- dispatch operations lacked a clear structure,
- and there was no overview of machine utilisation.
Ultimately, the company came to realise that it is sometimes more efficient to build something new than to keep repairing the old indefinitely. As a result, a decision was made in 2020: “We need a new information system.”
Implementation of Helios Inuvio
The company selected Helios Inuvio through a competitive tender process. Helios was chosen for several reasons:
- extensive customisation options,
- a modular and open system architecture,
- access to an experienced Czech implementation team with a strong track record
The initial stages of the implementation were somewhat challenging. The company had no in-house IT support available to assist with the implementation of the new system.Unfortunately, the current executive manager was not involved in either the initial analysis or the early stages of implementation.
Nevertheless, the company succeeded in:
- transferring most processes to the new system,
- engaging employees in the transition,
- and configuring the system to meet the specific requirements of one-off production.
Implementing the new system was not easy. It represented a major change for users, who continued working in both the old and new systems in parallel for a considerable period.
One of the main problems was their tendency to replicate their old ways of working, which prevented them from fully embracing the new approach. Even after the transition had begun, employees continued referring to the old system. The turning point came when the company decided to shut it down. This forced employees to work exclusively in Helios – a difficult but necessary step.
The process revealed just how challenging it can be to change established ways of thinking. Employees struggled to adapt to new concepts and terminology. Until they became fully familiar with the new system, they looked for ways to make the new environment resemble the old one. Unfortunately, some areas were configured according to the old system simply because “that’s how it had always been done”.
However, the goal was to embrace the new system as it was, including its underlying philosophy. Not every process – or every employee – adapted successfully to the transition. Some employees proved unwilling to accept the changes and ultimately left the company.
Mr Mikula, the executive manager, became actively involved in the system, studying, fine-tuning, testing and configuring it. Thanks to his personal commitment, the company was able to overcome most of the obstacles and adapt the system to its specific needs.
Everyday Operations with Helios
Helios is an open and flexible system, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. It is an advantage for companies that can make full use of its extensive customisation options, but may be less suitable for those looking for an off-the-shelf solution requiring minimal attention.
At Mevi-CZ, Helios Inuvio was customised to support the company’s specific production requirements as effectively as possible. Most of these modifications and settings were completed by the users themselves. The executive manager personally tested and configured every area of the new system, identified potential pitfalls and fine-tuned the solution before introducing it into employees’ daily work. Many other employees also actively suggest ideas for further improvements to Helios.
The company’s accountant is also satisfied with Helios Inuvio. She particularly appreciates the time it saves her, as all the necessary information is available directly in the system and she no longer has to contact colleagues individually to collect supporting documents.
Key Helios Features at Mevi-CZ
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Dashboards – a clear overview of each user’s work queue
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Workflow management – task dependencies and approval processes
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Production planning – tracking orders, materials and production progress
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Goods dispatch – fixed days of the week designated for dispatching orders to VIP customers
Practical Results and Benefits
Following the implementation of Helios, the company achieved a number of tangible benefits:
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Shorter delivery times and improved production planning
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Reduced administrative workload – Helios enables each employee to handle a greater volume of work
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More efficient dispatch operations – orders are dispatched on predetermined days
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Better-informed employees – everyone knows what they need to do
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Immediate, up-to-date insight into the company’s performance for management
Mevi-CZ continues to develop its use of Helios actively. New production requirements arise constantly, and the company has an almost endless list of improvements inspired by everyday operations that it would like to incorporate into Helios Inuvio. For example, the company is currently implementing production capacity planning.
A Final Word.
Get Inspired by Mevi-CZ
Helios Can Help in These Areas
Economy
Reliable accounting and financial management are essential for every business. Inuvio handles these tasks efficiently on a day-to-day basis.
Mevi-CZ employees can therefore rely on fully functional invoicing, cash management, VAT records and much more.
Warehouses
Accurate visibility into inventory levels and effective warehouse management come as standard with Helios Inuvio. With so many packages to dispatch, Mevi-CZ’s operations would quickly descend into chaos without a reliable system. Work within a clear, well-organised structure and take advantage of numerous smart features designed to save you time.
