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An interview with Alvaro Puime

1/ Alvaro Puime, shall we assess the situation after almost eight years’ computerization ?

What impressed me most, was the yearning of all our users, all of them extremely motivated, cooperative …but not so prone to being patient… Initially, we dimensioned the network in order to define its architecture and analyse all the process needs at one and the same time. It allowed us to set up a platform suitable for the company, e.mail service, EDM, ERP, access to the internet. Secondly, we gauged the needs of the operators in order to figure-out a workstation (hardware, software, training, installation …) Thirdly, came the ERP with the set-up of the specifications and requirements, the consulting of various editors and the selection of a provider, then the installation and training of users. Finally, the last stage was to fit out sales executives with laptops, internet access, instrument panels …here’s an outline of our beginnings. Had an assessment to be made: I would mention the extreme availability of everyone and the means granted by the company for this project to be a success.

2/ Today the ISO 9660 supports the company different systems, but what does IT brings to ISO ?

The ISO, just like all the different departments, benefits from the advantages directly linked to IT :
Data sharing between the users of a same process,
Real time updating of instrument panels,
Data access by the management to the different processes,
Data protection through the implementation of access and safeguard rights.
In other words, the computer network acts like « the nervous system which transmits data to all the organs of the company »

3/ Every year brings its share of innovation, what about this year ?

From every viewpoint, this year is crucial for Groupe Frayssinet’s IT.
First, as regards the software : on the one hand the implementation of the new version of our ERP which will become EKON at the end of September. It will put an end to two years’ transition from Ccmx to CCSAgresso via Cégid. Searching a new formulation and optimization tool will provide us with faster response times to the ever changing markets of raw materials. The new EDM version is the answer, even if nothing has been decided so far. Still, we are heading for an “ Electronic Document Management ” project-orientated, resource sharing space, which would preserve the existing system. As regards computer tools : as we said before eight years have gone by. They have left scars on our technology which has become obsolete : its inadequacy to our needs, the extension of the company’s premises, has led us to renew an important part of it, and especially the replacement of 5-server rack by a 5-blade Blade-Center and one SAN. This blade already houses the users e.mail as well as their office automation data. In the long term, it will house the EDM and also the applications and data proper to EKON. By the end of the year a new switch will be installed which will make it possible to provide us with internal network assistance into our new offices. Another PABX (switched telephony) will probably orientate us toward a new technique of voice transmission by the VOIP network. New PC’s to renew our park and enable our users to work comfortably on always more “performance greedy” applications.

4/ Did Damien’s joining the company modify Groupe Frayssinet’s IT landscape ?

Indeed, although he’s not completed his training yet, he’s already got deeply involved into some elements of our department. I’ll just mention the data safeguarding, the implementation of the hardware and tools, the assistance to users. He made it possible for us to extend our skills towards other sectors like industrial IT, telephony with the management of PABX. He’s regarded by us all as a competent, available …in brief, an efficient assistant. His joining us liberated the energies of the ones in charge of the processes. It would be necessary to afford as many IT professionals as there are persons in charge.