The digitalization of processes in distribution companies is a necessary and strategic step toward optimizing operations and achieving long-term sustainability.
For ORNO, the successful integration of new technologies and processes was made possible thanks to close collaboration with ITC Consult and a clear vision for optimization at every stage. When implementing enterprise-class business software (ERP), the choice of implementation partner is crucial for the successful execution of the project and the achievement of long-term results. The main role of the consulting company is not only to select the appropriate system but also to foster an understanding of the need for business process transformation, which accompanies every software implementation.
This transformation involves reviewing and optimizing existing processes, eliminating inefficiencies, and introducing automated solutions that enhance overall efficiency and reduce resource consumption.
It is essential that the consulting company does not limit itself to solving current problems but also offers solutions that can meet the future needs of the business. The implementation of an ERP system should be seen as an opportunity to renew and modernize business processes and organizational structure, rather than merely maintaining the current state. For successful integration, it is important that the consulting partner has broad knowledge of various industries, best practices, and ERP solutions, as well as their compatibility with the specific business needs in order to offer the most effective approach for the organization.
ORNO is an example of a company that looks clearly toward development and sustainability, placing its primary focus on long-term growth and optimization of business processes. The company’s success lies not only in choosing a particular system or technology but in having a clear understanding of the business needs and objectives. A key factor in achieving the desired results is the ability to define precise business goals and identify solutions that meet those goals, rather than simply following a trend.
Achieved Results
The implementation of the new ERP solution at ORNO led to significant optimizations in operational efficiency, thanks to improved system performance, which greatly accelerated data processing and enhanced team productivity. The intuitive interface and easy navigation minimized the transition time to the new system and maximized operational effectiveness across all organizational levels. A key aspect of the optimization was the seamless integration of the ERP system with external platforms and solutions, enabling unified business process management and smooth synchronization of data and operations between different systems.
The integration of a new WMS (Warehouse Management System) with the ERP platform resulted in significant optimization of warehouse operations by automating key processes and reducing the need for manual intervention. Through the use of barcode scanning technology and integration with the ERP system, processes for receiving, storing, and dispatching goods have been accelerated by up to 3–4 times. Warehouse staff are now engaged in far fewer manual tasks, leading to reduced workload, freeing up resources for other activities, and enabling the processing of a larger volume of orders on a daily basis. The use of paper documents has been almost completely eliminated, with processes now fully digitalized. These improvements have led to a considerable reduction in costs and an inventory management optimization of between 20% and 30%.
The new ERP system has also significantly improved the efficiency of financial processes. By automating VAT record-keeping and optimizing the preparation of VAT declarations, the time required to complete them has been reduced by approximately 20%. Data entry and documentation processing are now considerably faster, requiring minimal effort for preliminary preparation. The implemented system has greatly simplified and sped up a process that previously demanded much more time and resources, while also increasing accuracy and reducing the risk of human error.
The optimization of sales processes was achieved through the integration between the ERP system and the mobile application for sales representatives. Centralized information has significantly accelerated operations, reduced the need for manual intervention, and optimized order processing. Thanks to this integration, warehouse, customer service, and sales department processes have been significantly sped up, allowing teams to handle larger workloads and shorten the time intervals between the various stages—from order receipt to product delivery.
Sales representatives now have real-time access to up-to-date stock information across different warehouse divisions and sales regions, enabling them to easily review orders and generate reports for pricing and possible delivery dates. This has significantly improved workflow and accelerated customer service. The integration enables automated order processing and product preparation for delivery, reducing document processing time and overall customer service time by around 20%, saving both time and resources in the sales process.
Following the successful integration of all systems with the ERP platform and the implementation of automation, the IT department has been able to free up more resources that were previously dedicated to manual management and maintenance of various systems. This process optimization allows the team to focus on strategic initiatives for further efficiency improvements and the implementation of innovations that support business growth. With a significant reduction in the need for daily maintenance tasks, the IT team can now concentrate on optimizing new processes and deploying technologies that help respond more quickly to dynamic market demands and provide better customer service. The freed-up resources make it possible to pursue additional automation and integration with new systems, which will continue to improve internal operations and contribute to the expansion of the business.
ORNO — One of the Fastest-Growing Distribution Companies in Bulgaria
ORNO is a leading distribution company in Bulgaria, specializing in the import and distribution of products from well-established global brands. The company offers a wide range of food and non-food products, with its main strength being fast-moving consumer goods, including some of the most popular food brands on the global market. ORNO has established itself as a proven leader in wholesale trade, while maintaining strong relationships with its clients and suppliers thanks to its loyal and reliable partnerships.
The company actively integrates new products into its portfolio, following the latest market trends and offering innovative solutions at competitive prices on the Bulgarian market. ORNO is recognized for its ability to create strategic and comprehensive market solutions tailored to customer needs. With its extensive market coverage and modern commercial and logistics structures, the company ensures efficiency and high-quality service across the entire country.
In Search of Sustainable Growth Solutions
The development perspective for ORNO is the strategic expansion of its product portfolio through the distribution of new global brands on the Bulgarian market. This will create opportunities to deepen partnerships with major retail chains in both modern and traditional trade sectors, as well as increase partnerships and sales volumes in small retail stores.
Expanding logistics capacity is also a key aspect of the company’s growth strategy. ORNO continues to invest in its own fleet for domestic transport, primarily serving the Bulgarian market, thereby achieving greater efficiency and control over deliveries. The company also offers integrated logistics solutions, including storage, relocation, transportation of goods, and pallet space rental. These services are aimed at optimizing both the company’s internal processes and providing added value to external clients.
To continue its successful growth and maintain a leading position in the market for fast-moving consumer goods and non-food products, ORNO needs to optimize coordination between sales processes, inventory management, and supply chain operations. The company must achieve better information centralization, increase automation, and implement a more efficient system for optimizing stock levels, with the goal of preventing shortages and overstocking. This will enhance the quality and efficiency of logistics processes.
Integration and Comprehensive Solutions for Business Process Optimization and Automation
In 2023, ORNO launched a large-scale project for the reengineering of its core business processes, focusing on efficiency optimization and the implementation of modern technologies. One of the key stages of this project was the selection and deployment of a new ERP solution aimed at improving data centralization, transparency, and control.
The project goes beyond simply implementing an ERP system. It also includes the integration of a new Warehouse Management System (WMS), introduced in parallel, along with integration with two existing online stores. This created a comprehensive ecosystem approach to managing inventory, orders, and logistics processes. The implementation of the new solution required the migration of a vast amount of historical data from the old ERP system, ensuring business continuity and making the most of accumulated information.
The complexity of the project is further enhanced by the integration of the ERP system with specialized software for managing mobile sales activities. Through this integration, ORNO has been able to reduce operational stress for its sales teams and optimize processes related to traditional trade, providing real-time access to information on stock levels, orders, and sales. This significantly increases the efficiency of mobile sales teams and optimizes operations to the benefit of clients.
The in-depth collection and processing of data from all existing business processes, through the implementation of a BI platform, has provided a solid foundation for effective management. As a result, the company now has more than 50 operational and strategic BI reports that deliver instant and reliable information for making informed management decisions. The BI system is particularly valuable for senior management, offering a daily overview of performance against set goals and providing the data needed for accurate reporting to partners and suppliers. Daily reports, performance analyses of sales representatives, and profit and loss (PNL) reports create a structure for continuous monitoring of operational indicators and enable timely adjustments in line with the current state of the business.
Recognition of Success
ORNO is among the finalists in the category “ICT Project Successfully Implemented in a Non-ICT Company” at the 2024 Annual Awards of the Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT).
This category honors companies that invest in digitalization to drive their business forward, and ORNO is a prime example — consciously integrating modern technological solutions to optimize operations and respond to market dynamics.