An Interview with Youssef TIJANI
Head of Studies and Applications at LISI AEROSPACE
As the person responsible for the deployment of Infor M3 within the group, can you describe the context?
Youssef TIJANI: Our goal is to standardize the ERP of our sites on the same version of M3.
For the deployment of Infor M3 at the Dorval site (LISI AEROSPACE Canada), what was the planned setup?
Youssef TIJANI: This site was to be the first to benefit from our optimized deployment method. We planned to mobilize a team of three functional consultants and a rhythm setter, the conductor, all traveling from France. We were to work with the key users on-site and roll out our deployment method over approximately 7 months: Data migration (3 months), Gap analysis (3 months), Go live (1 month).
And then, the health crisis and travel restrictions arrived. How did you manage to adapt?
Youssef TIJANI: The deployment of M3 at Dorval, located near Montreal in Quebec, was planned for early 2021, right in the middle of the health crisis related to Covid-19. The consultants who were supposed to travel back and forth from France could no longer travel.
I knew that we could accomplish many tasks remotely, but I also understood the importance of being close to key users and end users on-site. I started looking for a company based locally in Canada. Fortunately, I discovered that Authentic Group had a branch in Canada. This is how your consultant Denis Schwab was integrated into our deployment setup.
How did the deployment of M3 at the Dorval plant go with the help of Authentic?
Youssef TIJANI: Denis's technical-functional profile turned out to be perfect for our needs.
Indeed, Denis assisted the local developer in developing interfaces and APIs with M3: his support was truly effective and decisive, and during the training phases, Denis's help was also greatly appreciated.
People were trained remotely, but not everything can be optimally conveyed this way. Denis was alongside the users during the training sessions. Communication with both the on-site contacts (mostly English speakers) and the team in France was really facilitated. The fact that Denis speaks both English and French fluently was a real plus.
Denis was our eyes and ears on-site, for us, stuck in France throughout the deployment. He helped us with communication and streamlining exchanges.
What is your assessment of the deployment carried out with the help of Authentic?
Youssef TIJANI: The assessment is very positive. This is the first time we have started a site remotely. It demonstrated that we do not need to have a team on-site for the entire duration of the project. And what an impact in terms of cost, of course!
"The assessment is very positive. This is the first time we have started a site remotely. [...] And what an impact in terms of cost, of course!"
About LISI AEROSPACE
A global player in the aerospace industry, LISI AEROSPACE specializes in the manufacture of high value-added assembly solutions and metallic structural components. Lisi Aerospace has more than 5,000 employees spread across 9 countries at 20 sites.
