Å Energi: How 2c8 Apps Facilitated the Merger of two Companies

Å Energi is Norway’s largest energy company, focusing on the production of clean, affordable, and renewable energy – from production to the end customer. They provide electricity, heat, and other energy-related products and services to 320,000 households across Norway and the Nordic region.

Å Energi was formed in 2023 when Glitre Energi and Agder Energi merged to create one large energy supplier. We met Bent Gabrielsen, senior advisor for ERP and Processes at Å Energi, who told us how Process Mapping in 2c8 Apps has, among other things, streamlined the merger of the companies.

August 15, 2024

A long history of process-oriented thinking

As early as 2010, Glitre Energi saw a need to create a quality management system. The initiative was based on the fact that employees at Glitre felt that all the routines and documents with text needed to be more manageable and readable. They started evaluating different softwares and eventually landed on 2c8 Apps, which, based on functionality, was the superior option.

In 2c8 Apps, they created a complete Quality Management System with all the organization’s processes. It was made available to employees, served as a basis for audits and was actively used for onboarding new employees. Through the Guality Management System created in 2c8 Apps, they were able to visually describe how they worked and ensure quality in everyday work.

A process-based fusion of two companies

When Glitre Energi and Agder Energi were to be merged into one group, they quickly saw the benefits of process mapping. Various software applications were evaluated, but both companies quickly agreed that 2c8 Apps were best for the purpose.

“We were very much in agreement that the best way to do this was to visualize how both the company and working methods in our different areas would be merged”, says Bent.

Representatives from both companies sat down and discussed how they currently worked. Together, they developed new working methods and documented these as processes in 2c8 Apps. Bent points out that these occasions also became opportunities to develop the processes while employees were trained in new ways of working. The result was a Quality Management System for Å Energi, where the working methods are correctly documented for all 1500 employees.

Over time, the organization’s focus on processes has grown further, with a full-time Quality Department working on processes. They have also set up a Quality Forum where they bring together modelers from all parts of the business to develop the organization’s processes continuously.

New areas of usage for 2c8 Apps are discovered

As System Manager of the organization’s ERP (business system), Bent has continued to discover new areas for process mapping in 2c8 Apps. In preparation for implementing their new ERP, they have used 2c8 Apps to describe processes in finance, projects, purchasing, and warehousing at a high level. This makes it easier to identify the requirements and processes involved, not least what the flow in the system should look like to be linked to the standard processes of the ERP system.

“Our existing processes have been highly appreciated by the implementation partners we have been in contact with regarding our ERP project. They, too, had a process mindset in the structure of the ERP System. We believe that this makes the whole implementation go smoothly and that we quickly agree on solutions”, Bent continues.

Why did Å Energi choose 2c8 Apps?

We conclude by asking Bent why they chose 2c8 Apps for these projects. The answer was simple: the software offered a complete and versatile solution.

“The software has helped us in everything from audit management and documentation to implementing IT systems and supporting staff. It has simplified many aspects of otherwise complex work. It is much easier to understand a picture than a long text”, says Bent.

He goes on to talk about the benefits of always having the material produced in 2c8 Apps at hand.

“Having the models and associated information available on computers, mobiles, and tablets has been a real benefit for the employees out in the field.”

Lastly, Bent also says that the simplicity and availability of support has really facilitated the learning process for new users.

“As a new user, it is easy to get started quickly with the support of training and FAQs that are available. This makes it easy to get employees to start modeling quickly.”