Business Central and custom IT solutions for a unique project in Latvia

ELVA experts, in close cooperation with DIO, adapted the Microsoft ERP or business resource management system Business Central directly for DIO project management. The existing system can find answers to all questions related to the deposit system. Detailed current information flowing from tare points, counting equipment, scanners and deposit portal is collected on a single platform. The central element of the system is the packaging card, which contains detailed information about the type, weight, volume and category of the packaging – after reading the barcode, this information is reflected in the accounting system, and then a respective invoice is issued.

Manual work often delays the development of the project, therefore the operation of the Deposit system is based on automation. Barcode reading, regular collection and updating of information, as well as preparation of invoices and reports are automated. Initially, the registration process took place in an Excel document, but it required attraction of manual labour. The created portal automated the process – currently, the data flows in the system and is updated regularly.

The company uses the opportunities provided by Business Central for effective management of business processes, such as payroll and personnel, warehouse, and financial management, as well as the system monitors and manages processes related to production.

In a short time, a customized Deposit portal was created, which is an information flow platform for the parties involved in the deposit system – sellers and manufacturers. In simple words, this portal organizes a barcode register. It is used both by sellers using tare points and by tare manufacturers who record barcodes and submit sales reports. Sellers can promptly order materials for tare storage using the portal. The deposit portal links the information provided by both parties and reflects it in the Business Central system, allowing to keep track of applications, sales data, paid membership fees and transportation materials.

The analytics solution collects extensive information about the packaging circulation, which is processed by the data accounting solution Business Central, for example: what packaging is placed on the market, what packaging is returned, how much of material is received and where, what is the composition of the packaging, how much is the pay-out and deposit. The total information is about a million lines of records, and it would be impossible to work with such a large amount of data in an Excel document. Power BI clearly and conveniently shortens the information path from the Deposit accounting system to Business Central, allowing to promptly evaluate the situation. The company actively uses sales reports allowing for a consolidated and quick evaluation of each unit, as well as analysis, evaluation of statistics on habits in different regions of Latvia and obtaining the facts of interest for the public. The obtained information improves communication and facilitates logistics.

In 2022, the international platform Reloop recognized Latvian deposit system the best deposit return system in Europe
(https://ieej.lv/best-deposit). The high rating is mainly due to the idea of refillable packaging. The latest version of the Business Central system providing all necessary processes related to the accurate management of tare flow and the warehouse was required to perform such tare inventory.

Industry professionals are familiar with the order of things and are able to explain the operation of the system comprehensibly, as well as goo deep into every detail related to the processes of the deposit system. The implemented solutions are in constant development – ideas and needs are quickly collected and implemented in a short time in the specific functionality of the accounting system.