Description :

Olimag is a globally recognized manufacturer specializing in high-quality sands for various industrial applications, including sandblasting, refractory, geothermal, traction, and sports fields. Operating out of Thetford Mines, Quebec, since 1986, the company has honed its expertise in the production of synthetic olivine using a patented thermal calcination process. This technology has positioned Olimag as a world leader in the field. The company produces non-toxic, durable, and high-performance sands that meet the highest quality standards and are integral to multiple industries.

Committed to environmental sustainability, Olimag has prioritized minimizing its impact on air quality and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. It has also been involved in a major project focused on environmental characterization to better understand and restore former mining sites. Olimag’s dedication to integrating environmentally responsible practices has made it a vital part of Quebec’s circular economy.

Context : 

Olimag faced significant challenges with its previous software systems, particularly due to their lack of integration and outdated technology. The company was using multiple disparate systems for different aspects of their operations, including production, inventory management, quality control, and accounting. These systems didn’t interact with each other, forcing employees to manually enter the same data into different systems—leading to inefficiencies and errors. The accounting software, in particular, was on the brink of becoming obsolete, creating an urgent need for a more reliable and integrated solution.

Additionally, Olimag had a complex manufacturing process, which involved blending and producing sands, followed by weighing them for shipping. Their production systems were largely manual at this stage, which created inefficiencies, particularly with inventory tracking. This led to tensions between the production and sales departments as inventory numbers frequently didn’t match up. The client needed a solution that would centralize and automate its operations, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and support future growth.

The client also required a flexible solution that could handle their specific manufacturing needs, including connecting scales to their production equipment to automate the process of weighing and labeling products. They needed a platform that could simplify their operations, enhance their productivity, and ensure accurate and up-to-date data for better decision-making.

The Solution and Project Implementation :

We worked closely with Olimag to address their operational challenges in two phases.

In Phase 1, we focused on integrating core modules that were critical to their business continuity, including sales, inventory, manufacturing, accounting, and a bit of purchasing. The priority was to ensure that their operations could continue without disruption as their legacy accounting system was becoming obsolete. During this phase, we kept the implementation as standard as possible, limiting development to only the most essential features. This allowed Olimag to get up and running quickly while we gathered insights for the more complex parts of their business.

In Phase 2, we shifted our focus to the more complex automation aspects of their operations. Olimag’s production system involved weighing sands using industrial scales, which had to be integrated into Odoo. This required a deeper analysis of their process, as we needed to understand how the scales could be connected to Odoo and how data could flow seamlessly into the system. We were able to connect their existing equipment to Odoo using an industry-standard protocol, which eliminated the need for additional purchases. We also developed a solution where the weight from the scales was captured in Odoo, and a barcode sticker with the product details was generated. This automated the entire weighing and labeling process, significantly improving production efficiency.

Olimag’s team was also provided with training to use Odoo, and the implementation was done with on-premise hosting, rather than on Odoo's cloud servers. One key factor that contributed to a smooth integration was Olimag’s delivery of clean, well-organized data, which significantly simplified the data import process during integration.

The Results :

The results of the project were transformative for Olimag.

In Phase 1, the initial go-live in February 2023 streamlined critical business operations, particularly accounting, inventory management, and sales. Olimag saved significant time and resources, especially in accounting, where staff no longer had to input data into multiple systems. For example, their administrative assistant was able to save two full days each week, and an employee in their shipping department saw a reduction in working hours, going from 32 hours a week to just 16 hours. These time savings improved overall efficiency and allowed staff to focus on higher-value tasks.

The Phase 2 go-live in October 2023 marked the full integration of automation in production. With the scales now connected directly to Odoo, the process of measuring, labeling, and tracking inventory was fully automated. This solved the longstanding issue of inventory discrepancies between production and sales, as data was now accurate and real-time. Olimag’s manufacturing processes became far more streamlined, allowing them to work faster and more efficiently without the risk of manual errors.

Today, Olimag is far more autonomous in its use of Odoo. The company has integrated new modules like quality, maintenance, projects, website, and dashboard, and their team can now configure new modules with minimal external assistance. They have achieved significant operational improvements, with better control over inventory and more reliable, real-time data across departments. The company has also started to see quantifiable benefits from its investment, with a noticeable reduction in manual tasks and improved interdepartmental communication.

This case study highlights several key lessons for future clients considering Odoo for their manufacturing operations. First, it demonstrates the value of starting with a phased implementation approach. By breaking down the project into manageable phases, Olimag was able to keep operations running smoothly during the initial transition while providing ample time for the more complex automation tasks in the second phase.

Second, it underscores the importance of integration in improving operational efficiency. Olimag’s previous challenges with disconnected systems and manual data entry were resolved by Odoo’s centralized platform, which brought together inventory, accounting, and production in one unified system.

Lastly, the automation of production processes is a powerful tool for manufacturers. By connecting their scales to Odoo, Olimag eliminated the need for manual tracking, reducing errors and saving valuable time. This not only increased production efficiency but also improved the accuracy of inventory data, which is crucial for manufacturing businesses.