Inventec Rapidly Delivers Flexible, Maintainable Systems
Established in 1975, Inventec started with manufacturing computers and telephones and later expanded to laptops and servers, establishing itself as a global leader.
Entering the 21st century, Inventec ventured into high-tech fields such as cloud computing, wireless communication, smart devices, and IoT, staying aligned with IT advancements.
However, Inventec’s IT department was facing challenges including:
- Outdated systems unable to meet new business demands
- Talent shortages
- Slow IT development that lagged behind business growth
- Critical data scattered across systems, hindering comprehensive decision-making
To address these pain points, Inventec adopted the Mendix low-code platform to develop and revamp multiple applications at its Taoyuan plant. These applications automated workflows, integrated systems, saved resources, and provided accurate data analysis to support decision-making.
Keeping Up with the Pace of Change
Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, Inventec has a Taoyuan R&D center and factories in Shanghai and Chongqing, focusing on notebooks, consumer electronics, mobile communications, and server products.
Overseas production bases include the U.S., Mexico, and the Czech Republic. Guided by customer needs, Inventec operates globally, offering comprehensive solutions across software and hardware.
Inventec’s IT center primarily used PLM/ERP systems to support users. Over time, these systems struggled with functionality or hardware support, necessitating upgrades or redevelopment. However, challenges emerged:
- Frequent changes in user needs outpaced system updates.
- Poor integration among multiple systems resulted in disrupted data flow.
- Outdated technologies created security risks, with IT staff lacking skills to meet market demands.
- Critical data dispersed across various systems hindered decision-making.
Inventec’s CIO sought a method to accelerate development, reduce customization, and ensure sustainable operations. Initial attempts included RPA/DPA tools for standard workflows and outsourcing development, but these proved limited or costly. Finally, Inventec discovered the Mendix low-code platform.
Low-Code in Action
Motivated by business demands, Inventec’s IT center developed four key applications on the Mendix platform.
Inventory Action Log System
Previously, logs were maintained manually on SharePoint Excel files, requiring weekly updates and manual notifications.
The new system automates updates, improves readability, provides search functionality, and sends automated email reminders, eliminating manual tasks. It integrates seamlessly with other systems, enhancing efficiency in inventory reduction tracking.
Quote Data Management System
Previously, BOM price tracking was done using Excel, leading to inefficiencies, errors, and data mismanagement.
The new system centralizes data, enforces permissions to reduce data leaks, and enhances search functionality. The result: improved quoting efficiency, accuracy, and process standardization.
Product Reliability Analysis System
Previously, each engineer managed separate Excel files, causing inconsistencies and untraceable changes.
The new system standardizes product lifetime estimation models, ensuring consistent simulation results and leveraging accumulated data for future projects. It combines Excel-like templates with database storage for better analysis.
Customer Data Receiving Platform
Handling varied customer data formats and platforms required custom scripts for each case. The new system automates data reception and conversion into the database, syncing with internal systems via REST API. This one-stop solution streamlines customer data processing.
Scaling with Low-Code
Inventec recognizes Mendix’s capability to simplify and accelerate development while reducing costs.
The team plans to expand its use of Mendix in areas such as employee management, inventory tracking, and order processing. They are also adopting Kubernetes for enhanced deployment, enabling seamless system upgrades with minimal downtime.
Looking ahead, Inventec plans Mendix training courses to empower business teams to develop applications, fostering stronger collaboration between business and IT teams while enabling IT professionals to focus on specialized tasks.