HÖRMANN Warnsysteme Creates a Seamless Connection Between Field Technicians and Business Central with Handyman
With 11 locations, 67 field technicians and complex installation projects, HÖRMANN Warnsysteme needed more standardized processes and better data quality. By combining Handyman with Microsoft Business Central, the company has created a digital workflow that connects field operations with project management, inventory control and business reporting.
HÖRMANN Warnsysteme develops, installs and maintains siren and warning systems throughout Germany. The company is part of the HÖRMANN Group and operates from 11 locations across four regions.
Like many businesses that have grown through acquisitions, HÖRMANN faced a familiar challenge: each branch had developed its own processes and systems.
“If I asked how a process was handled, it wasn’t unusual to get six different answers,” says Corinna Carranza, Process Manager at HÖRMANN Warnsysteme.
To address this, the company decided to unify the organization around Microsoft Business Central while introducing a mobile solution for installers and service technicians.
The solution they chose was Handyman.
Handyman Became the Mobile Extension of Business Central
The goal of the project was to create a connected workflow spanning planning, execution, inventory management, project accounting and reporting. Today, HÖRMANN uses the solution for installations, maintenance, repairs and service requests.
When a new siren project is created in Business Central, project-related materials and master data are automatically transferred to Handyman. Additional documentation, photos and project details can then be added as the project progresses.
Field technicians have mobile access to:
- Customer information
- Locations
- Material lists
- Work orders
- Documentation
- Photos and attachments
“The technician can see exactly which materials are needed, what the plan is and where they need to go,” explains Corinna Carranza.
From Field Registration to Project Follow-Up with a Single Click
When the technician completes a job in Handyman, material consumption, working hours and mileage are recorded. The information is automatically transferred back to Business Central, where the project manager can review the registrations. From there, all consumption and time registrations can be posted directly to the project.
“With a single click, material consumption, inventory transactions and project costs are transferred. The greatest value doesn’t necessarily lie in the registration itself out in the field. It lies in what happens afterwards,” says Corinna Carranza.
Previously, the process was much more manual. Technicians submitted weekly reports that had to be entered by administrative staff. Material consumption was recorded manually, creating additional administration and making it difficult to maintain an accurate overview of inventory levels and project costs.
“Material consumption was often registered several weeks after the installation. As a result, inventory levels were never completely accurate,” says Corinna Carranza.
Standardization Creates Better Data
Although HÖRMANN is still relatively early in its implementation journey, the company is already seeing the benefits of bringing data together in one workflow. This is where the combination of Business Central and Handyman truly delivers value.
Before the implementation, data was scattered across local systems, spreadsheets and different working methods. Some departments worked with multiple Excel files, while others combined Excel with legacy ERP solutions. This made it difficult to gain a clear overview across the organization.
“Simply consolidating the data was a massive task.”
Today, data is captured far more consistently. This gives management the ability to analyze operations, resource usage and project performance in ways that were previously very difficult.
“The biggest benefit is actually the data. I think the happiest person in the company is our controller,” says Corinna Carranza.
The Benefits Extend Beyond the Technician
Corinna points out that many digitalization projects are evaluated based on whether technicians can complete their work faster. At HÖRMANN, however, the biggest impact is found elsewhere.
“The benefits don’t just lie with the service technician. They are found across the organization—in the back office, controlling and administration.”
Technicians still spend time registering their work. The difference is that the information can now be used immediately throughout the rest of the business. This results in better data quality, fewer manual processes and a stronger foundation for decision-making.
Building the Foundation for the Next Step
HÖRMANN continues to see significant potential in the solution. The company is currently working to expand its use of planning capabilities and strengthen the connection between inventory management, scanning and resource planning.
With a shared ERP platform, standardized processes and a seamless flow of information between the field and the office, HÖRMANN has established a strong foundation for future growth and continuous improvement.