Rocla "From network disks to a clear operating system"

Rocla offers intelligent solutions and services in handling material. Rocla enhances its customers' logistics activities through its strong knowledge of inventory and automated guided vehicles. Continuous renewal, an award-winning, user-friendly design and customer-oriented service constitute the foundation of Rocla's activities and products. Rocla's net sales for 2008 were 127.2 million euros. Rocla is part of the company Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe (MCFE). Rocla employs 520 people, of which 71% are in Finland, 21% in Denmark, 6% in Russia and 2% in other countries.

From network disks to a clear operating system

Rocla has had a certified quality management system since 1994. Rocla had different quality documents stored on network drives and the information was scattered in many places. Linkages between various documents and processes did not always work smoothly, and the structure of the quality documentation was disorganized. Rocla Quality Manager Anu Pöhö went to an IMS information session where she concluded that the system was clear and easy to maintain.

System construction and operation

At Rocla, the construction of the operating system was not made into a massive project. The company initially described the main processes and operations manual there. They have updated the system gradually, and bring documents and instructions into the system when needed. In Finland, every Rocla employee has access to the system, but the system is actively used by staff. Rocla also has many other systems in use and for example those in production work use the product data management system due to the nature of their work. Product-specific instructions and documents can be found in the system.

Easy and comprehensive description of processes

Anu Pöhö was particularly gratified with the speed and ease of describing a process using IMS. She said that process descriptions could be almost completed as they were talked about and discussed in meetings. The system is essentially complete at the moment and Rocla has started using language translations, so that the system is also possible to use in their overseas offices.

Rocla was able to end many descriptions of activities, as descriptions are easier and clearer to describe using IMS. The number of documents has also reduced significantly when everything does not need to be clarified with separate documents, but all the relevant information can be uploaded into processes.