Felleskjøpet chooses Microsoft and iStone

A few weeks ago, iStone signed a large delivery agreement with Felleskjøpet Agri regarding the design and implementation of a new business system solution. The project, which will last for several years, will become one of the most interesting iStone has implemented so far in the history of the Group, not only because the solution will largely be cloud-based. The work to be carried out is so extensive that iStone will be assisted by Advania.

"The agreement with Felleskjøpet is the biggest, and perhaps most important, we have signed in our ten-year history. We have all the key competencies required, but at the same time we are humble about the size of the work we are now delivering, "says Markus Jakobson, CEO of iStone.  

"It is such a big project that we have teamed up with Advania on the supplier side. Purely professional, this is a very interesting project, and at the same time the project confirms Microsoft Dynamics' position in the Enterprise segment, says Tor Arnstorp, CEO of iStone Norway.

- Felleskjøpet Agri appreciates the value of a comprehensive solution for the business. We are seeing increasing interest in Microsoft Dynamics, not least thanks to the opportunities offered by cloud services in addition to local solutions, "says Helge Solbakken, CEO of iStone Dynamics in Norway.

From an ERP developed in-house to a platform solution

Felleskjøpet has until now used a business solution developed in-house.

"Our current solution is based on Cobol - a stable and robust system - but it is becoming a challenge to find skilled people to develop the solution and we also need to review integration opportunities," says IT Director Christen Rehn at Felleskjøpet Agri.

The desires and needs of modernizing the business system solution have progressed gradually. The existing solution is stable and still works well, therefore Felleskjøpet have been able to make a thorough evaluation before selecting a new platform.

At iStone, we can clearly see a development where the market largely demands truly integration-friendly platforms. Some customers choose to modernize their existing solutions, while others who have older or in-house systems look for brand new platforms that can be customized from scratch.

"We can deliver all types of projects, regardless of whether it is to add integration layers on top of existing solutions or implementing of brand new solution. In the case of Felleskjøpet, we are building the solution from scratch, "says Solbakken.

About Felleskjøpet

Felleskjøpet has a turnover of SEK 15 billion, has 3150 employees and is the main supplier of operating equipment and technology to Norwegian agriculture. The business also includes property management, bread and pastries, park and plant equipment, pet food and pet supplies. Felleskjøpet is a cooperative owned by 44,000 Norwegian farmers.