SM Madeiras e Laminados centralizes all workflows in Bitrix24

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SM Group is among the 10 largest exporters of tropical timber in Latin America and operates more efficiently and productively than ever before.

SM Madeiras e Laminados centralizes all workflows in Bitrix24

Managing a company involves several simultaneous processes. Centralizing all data in a single software is the shortest path to total control of the operation, to have more detailed analyses and, therefore, to make strategic decisions.

The SM Group identified the need to optimize the purchasing process, integrating the industry, the forestry unit and the transportation unit into the same cost center and improving visibility regarding who is responsible for each purchase made.

This was the starting point for a project that today covers 100% of the company's demands: purchasing, sales, employee management and much more!

We spoke with Vilson Nunes, Finance and Accounts Payable Manager and responsible for technological innovations applied to the day-to-day operations of SM Madeiras e Laminados . Check out the details of this Success Story below!

The history of SM Timber and Laminates
Founded by brothers Ney and César Mason, the history of the SM Group dates back to the 1980s, passing through Paraguay and Mato Grosso do Sul until establishing its main bases, at the end of the 1990s, in the state of Mato Grosso.

Today, SM Madeiras e Laminados is one of the main producers and distributors of tropical wood in Latin America, with units also in São Paulo and Paraná.

With a commitment to sustainable forestry and having obtained environmental certifications for 3 consecutive years, the company aims to expand its markets, strengthening its global presence.



SM Madeiras e Laminados and Bitrix24: first impressions of the all-in-one platform
Bitrix24’s contribution to achieving SM Madeiras e Laminados’ goals was significant, as highlighted by Vilson Nunes. The platform not only solved initial problems related to the purchasing process, but also allowed the company to expand its operations and integrate different workflows more efficiently.

Bitrix24’s customizable approach was crucial in tailoring the platform to SM Madeiras e Laminados’ specific needs. Nunes noted that when he first got to know the tool, he was impressed by the customization and automation capabilities offered by the platform: “The team skillfully demonstrated how the tool could be used not only to solve the initial purchasing problem, but also to integrate additional processes, such as CRM, task automation and project management,” he says.

Integrating Bitrix24 with the company’s existing systems enabled a smooth and efficient transition to the new platform. Bitrix24 not only solved the integration issues presented by the old ERP system, but also provided an integrated czech republic telemarketing data view of all aspects of the business, from purchasing to vehicle maintenance.

Bitrix24 has also enabled a significant change in the company’s organizational culture by eliminating manual and bureaucratic processes. Previously, the procurement process required a thorough investigation for each transaction, resulting in significant delays in payments to suppliers. With the support of Br24 , this process has been simplified and accelerated, allowing purchases to be made in a more transparent manner.

Additionally, the ability to monitor and manage workflow in real time has provided greater visibility and control over the company’s operations. From issuing purchase requisitions to scheduling vehicle maintenance, every step of the process has been integrated and streamlined through Bitrix24.



Bitrix24 implementation process at SM Madeiras e Laminados
SM Madeiras e Laminados’ transition from more traditional systems to Bitrix24 required a shift in employee mindset. However, the Br24 team was on hand to provide guidance: “They helped simplify the learning curve by providing training resources and offering technical support,” says Vilson.

This proactive approach was key to ensuring that all team members felt comfortable and empowered to utilize the new tool in their daily workflows.

Close collaboration with the Evolution team and Br24 Premium Support was crucial to overcoming specific challenges during the implementation process: “The expertise of Br24’s Customer Success Manager, Marcos Silva , in understanding SM Madeiras e Laminados’ requirements and translating them into practical solutions within the platform was invaluable. They worked closely with SM Madeiras e Laminados to develop and refine workflows, ensuring that each step of the process was aligned with the company’s operational needs,” says Vilson.

The customer-centric approach of Br24 ’s Premium Support team was equally important. According to the Finance Manager, the team was always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and resolve any technical issues that arose along the way.

SM Madeiras e Laminados now operates more efficiently and productively than ever before. With 14 workflows implemented and a strengthened organizational culture around Bitrix24, the company is positioned to continue growing and thriving.

With Bitrix24 implemented, SM Madeiras e Laminados leadership gains more visibility and control
The adoption of Bitrix24 has led to a fundamental transformation in SM Madeiras e Laminados’ purchasing management. Before centralizing all information in a single software, tracking and controlling purchasing expenses was a significant challenge. The lack of visibility and control over the purchasing process resulted in difficulties in identifying and correctly allocating expenses.

With the implementation of Bitrix24, SM Madeiras e Laminados developed a comprehensive process that provides visibility from the origin of the purchase to the moment the invoice is entered into the enterprise resource planning system (ERP).

This enabled more accurate identification of expenses, eliminating the need for the Financial Manager to manually review and validate each transaction.

Before Bitrix24, it took a finance manager 15 to 30 days to authorize payment for a purchase made by someone on the team. Now, the purchasing department can enter the data into Bitrix24 to continue the tax and accounting processes, before it reaches the finance department, via smartphone.

In addition, a cost center system was created that includes all SM Madeiras e Laminados machines and vehicles, automating maintenance tasks.

The integration between Bitrix24 and the Adianti Business Intelligence (BI) tool allows SM Madeiras e Laminados to have a detailed view of its expenses and purchasing patterns. With the ability to filter data by company, cost center and supplier, the finance team can quickly identify opportunities.

Significant transformation also in the company's sales flow
Initially, the focus was on optimizing the purchasing process, which was successful and brought tangible benefits. However, the real highlight was the implementation of the sales flow within Bitrix24.

This sales flow encompasses everything from the distribution of raw materials to the delivery of the final product to the customer, integrating all stages of the process, from production to distribution. Vilson emphasizes the importance of this sales flow, describing it as the “apple of the company’s eye”: “The integration of Bitrix24 has allowed SM Madeiras e Laminados to automate and monitor each stage of the sales process, providing complete visibility and control.”

Following the success of the initial implementation, SM Madeiras e Laminados continued to expand and enhance its business processes , developing 16 additional workflows within Bitrix24 over the course of two years. These workflows span a range of areas, from material requisitioning to fleet control, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and operational efficiency.