Marek Streamlines Material Requisition with JD Edwards Mobile Integration

Business Challenge

Marek, a longtime JD Edwards user, wanted to make the front-end user experience easier for their team in the field to identify and order materials. JD Edwards wasn’t optimized for mobile use, requiring multiple steps, and led to delays, and frustration for everyone.  

Many businesses use low- or no-code, third-party applications as the UX-friendly front end, using orchestrations to integrate with JDE. This app is usually accessible via a tablet, like an iPad. Marek, however, took a slightly different approach. The app was not only integrated with E1, it was built to be an extension of E1. The app served as the screen for field users to interact with, and orchestrations served as the robots to mimic their transactions in JD Edwards.

Their goal was to:   

• Create a more intuitive and user-friendly interface 
• Enable their construction teams to quickly and easily order materials, directly from the job site 
• Eliminate the need for extensive training or desktop access. 

The Solution

Marek leveraged no-code, low-code tools to create a custom mobile application for their material requisition process. The application, dubbed "Material Board," would serve as a front-end interface that seamlessly integrated with Marek’s JD Edwards system using orchestrations 

Key app components included:  

1. Mobile-Friendly User Interface: The Material Board app was designed with a clean, intuitive layout optimized for touchscreen devices, making it easy for construction workers to navigate and place orders.
2. Orchestration Integration: ERP Suites developed orchestrations to connect the Material Board app with Marek’s JD Edwards system, automating the creation of purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and other necessary transactions.
3. Automated Workflows: The solution incorporated automated workflows, such as email notifications and approvals, to streamline the material requisition process and reduce manual effort. 

ERP Suites worked closely with Marek, conducting regular meetings and demonstrations to ensure the solution aligned with their requirements. A proof of concept was initially developed to validate the feasibility of the approach and address any technical challenges.  

The team placed a strong emphasis on thorough unit and integration testing. This meticulous approach helped identify and resolve issues early in the development cycle, ensuring a smooth implementation.  

"By leveraging low-code tools and orchestrations, Marek built a seamless mobile application that integrates directly with JD Edwards—streamlining material requisitions and simplifying field operations."

Transformative Impact 

The deployment of the Material Board app has had a significant impact on Marek's construction operations. Key benefits include:  

• Streamlined material requisition process, reducing the number of clicks from over 100 to just 5 
• Improved visibility and tracking of material orders, with real-time updates and notifications
• Enhanced productivity for field workers, who can now order materials directly from the job site 
• Reduced administrative burden on the procurement team, as the automated workflows handle most manual tasks 

Marek's willingness to embrace a more innovative, technology-driven approach has positioned the company for continued success in the competitive construction industry.