Herman Miller Implements iBaan DEM to Provide Better Visibility and Control Over Business Processes

Leading global provider of office furniture and services implements iBaan Dynamic Enterprise Modeling (DEM) and EZ-Publisher solutions to help users develop, document, deliver and provide training for process improvements

Herman Miller, the leading global provider of office furniture and services, has implemented the iBaan Dynamic Enterprise Modeling (DEM) tools from Baan - the global provider of B2B collaborative commerce solutions and a unit of the Invensys Software Systems division of Invensys plc. Herman Miller used the iBaan DEM extended process and knowledge management solution during the implementation of eight logistical companies with 1,300 active users. This has allowed the company to develop and document continuous business process improvements across its procurement, manufacturing, sales and distribution functions, and replicate these processes at multiple sites globally.

Herman Miller has also optimised the iBaan DEM tools with the implementation of EZ-Publisher web-publishing application for DEM models - supplied by Baan alliance organisation, DynaFlow. This helps end-users across the enterprise to easily access the DEM diagrams and other best practice documents and information on their desktop, via their standard web browser.

Rex Kiekintveld, Director of Business Systems at Herman Miller, said: “Prior to using iBaan DEM and EZ-Publisher, dynamic business process documentation was not available to every end user. In the past we relied upon technical people in IT, and end users knowledge and experience to keep things going. With the combination of iBaan DEM and EZ-Publisher, we now have consistent, standardised business processes that are used across the enterprise.

“We selected Baan because we saw the value that iBaan DEM could bring for documenting our business processes and automatically configuring the Baan system right down to what each person's desktop capabilities would be. These documented business processes could be standardised for each plant as we implemented. The use of a consistent business process model developed for one plant could be used for subsequent plants and expedites our roll-out of the iBaan functionality across the enterprise,” Rex Kiekintveld continued.

Don Morren, DEM Manager at Herman Miller, added: “We now have an enterprise-wide process documentation tool that we use to integrate DEM process definition, ISO instructions and training manuals, thus enabling Herman Miller to develop and deploy effectively process improvements across the organisation. In addition, EZ-Publisher has enabled us to further expand our use of iBaan DEM by documenting business processes for non-Baan departments/users, as the web-enabled diagrams are now available to all our Intranet employees.”

Baan’s iBaan Dynamic Enterprise Modeling tools are part of the iBaan suite of Internet-enabled solutions that combines proven Baan technology with new developments to enable customers to take significant steps towards seamlessly integrating systems and processes. iBaan solutions provide end-users with personalised and easy-to-use information, and empower businesses to collaborate with their customers and suppliers over the Internet.

About Herman Miller
Herman Miller creates great places to work by researching, designing, manufacturing and distributing innovative interior furnishings that support companies, organisations and individuals all over the world. The company's award-winning products, complemented by primary furniture management services, generated nearly $2 billion in revenue during fiscal 2000. Herman Miller is widely recognised both for its innovative products and business practices, including the use of industry-leading, customer-focused technology. The company's stock is listed among the NASDAQ 100 and trades under the symbol MLHR.

About DynaFlow Modeling Solutions
DynaFlow is a leader in Business Process Management in North America and Europe and is dedicated to providing its customers with world-class expertise in the strategic domains of Enterprise Modeling, Knowledge Management and Workflow Automation, in relation with Business re-engineering initiatives and ERP/B2B implementations. DynaFlow has maintained a strong and constructive relationship with Baan since 1990, with direct involvement in all critical aspects of the iBaan DEM design, development, training and worldwide roll-out.

For more information about DynaFlow, visit: www.dynaflow-dem.com

About Baan
Baan helps companies to compete in the 'networked economy' with its ever-increasing demands for more information, integration and collaboration. Through its powerful new iBaan suite of Internet-enabled solutions, Baan is ideally placed to support organisations in the manufacturing, logistics, service and engineering industries as they move towards tighter integration of their complex processes, closer collaboration with customers and partners, and providing employees with build-to-order shop floor data and supply information. Baan has more than 15,000 customer sites worldwide, and is part of the Invensys Software Systems Division - a global leader in the provision of e-business/automation solutions.

For more information, please visit www.baan.com

About Invensys plc
Invensys plc is one of the global leaders in automation and controls. Headquartered in London, England, Invensys operates in all regions of the world through four focused divisions - Software Systems, Automation Systems, Power Systems and Control Systems. With just over 75,000 employees, the Group supplies products and services ranging from advanced control systems, remote diagnostics and energy management for process plants, factories and commercial environments to electronic devices and networks for residential buildings, as well as complete power systems for the industrial, telecommunications and information technology sectors.