Legacy systems can slow down operations, increase costs, and limit growth. Discover how a leading consumer package goods (CPG) company modernized its IT landscape, streamlined HR processes, and improved operational efficiency through API-based integration and managed services.
About Our Client
Our client is a prominent CPG company and a leading producer of meat products, known for nationally recognized brands. With a large workforce and complex operations spanning multiple warehouses, the company sought digital transformation to modernize its IT infrastructure.
Challenges: Legacy Systems and Inefficient Processes
The client faced two primary challenges:
- High manual effort: Legacy systems required significant manual work across HR and logistics processes.
- Costly on-prem software: Maintaining aging software led to high licensing and technical debt.
Additionally, their existing point-to-point integration setup created inefficiencies, making it difficult to scale operations or add new systems quickly.
Our Approach: Modernizing Integration and HR Systems
Step 1: Taking Over HR Systems Integration
Initially, Prolifics took over a project from a previous provider, focusing on facility access control within HR systems. We implemented an interface to manage employee access to restricted areas, such as warehouses, ensuring compliance and security.
We then expanded HR capabilities by:
- Developing applications for HR communication, enabling push notifications to a dispersed workforce.
- Integrating employee records with chat tools and SMS notifications for real-time alerts.
This early success positioned Prolifics as the client’s trusted integration partner.
Step 2: Streamlining Warehouse and Logistics Integrations
The second phase involved modernizing the client’s warehouse and shipment processes. Their previous point-to-point integration with 10 shippers created inefficiencies:
- Each new shipper required multiple manual connections.
- Changes in one system triggered updates across all related integrations.
To resolve this, Prolifics implemented API-driven integration and gateways, creating a centralized hub:
- Reusable interfaces: One interface now serves multiple shippers, reducing complexity.
- API as a service: Every system exposes its data via APIs, eliminating hundreds of hard-coded connections.
- Scalable architecture: The client now manages around 120 integrations efficiently.
This modernization improved speed, reduced errors, and enhanced operational flexibility.
Step 3: Building a Managed Development and Services Team
To sustain rapid integration development, Prolifics established an outsourced development team:
- Collaborates with business units to identify new integration needs
- Develops and deploys new applications and use cases
- Ensures continuous improvement and operational efficiency
A managed services agreement guarantees 24/7 support, ensuring:
- On-time product shipments
- Compliance with food industry regulations (e.g., refrigeration and handling)
- Smooth operation of all integration applications
Technology Stack
The client is moving away from IBM Sterling Integrator and leveraging:
- Boomi: Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) for seamless data flow, API management, and master data handling
- IBM API Connect: Part of IBM’s Cloud Pak for Integration, enabling full lifecycle API management—create, secure, manage, and analyze APIs across on-prem and cloud environments
This combination ensures a future-proof IT architecture that supports rapid business growth.
Results: Efficiency, Savings, and Scalability
The client has achieved significant benefits:
- Reduced technical debt by migrating from legacy systems
- Faster reaction to customer needs and market changes
- Lower licensing and maintenance costs
- Streamlined HR communications and workflows
- Predictable IT expenditure through managed services
- Access to specialized IT expertise on-demand
- High client satisfaction, opening opportunities for low-code application development
Why This Matters for CPG Companies
For CPG organizations, efficient IT integration is crucial for:
- Scaling operations without exponentially increasing complexity
- Ensuring compliance and operational reliability
- Reducing costs while improving workforce efficiency
- Leveraging modern technology to stay competitive
By combining API integration, cloud modernization, and managed IT services, CPG companies can achieve long-term operational efficiency and business growth.
Key Takeaways
- Modern API-driven integration replaces complex point-to-point systems
- HR modernization enhances employee communication and compliance
- Managed services and development teams ensure continuity and scalability
- Leveraging platforms like Boomi and IBM API Connect future-proofs IT infrastructure
