Fred. Olsen Case Study

“Ahora Wondershare PDFelement está aquí, hace lo mismo y es mucho mejor que los demás. (Now comes Wondershare PDFelement, which does the same thing but much better than the others.)”

Javier

Head of Procurement and Technology, Fred. Olsen, S.A.

Fred. Olsen, S.A., a leading maritime service provider, is famed for its innovative approach and unwavering dedication to quality. As the lifeblood of the Canary Islands' inter-island connectivity, they operate 5 maritime lines throughout the archipelago, transporting over 3 million passengers, 60,000 pets, 1 million cars, and 100,000 cargo vehicles each year.

With a history dating back to 1904, the company has consistently showcased its adaptability, evolving seamlessly with the changing tides while remaining steadfast in its commitment to environmental care and a sustainable future. They believe that only through a "Zero Paper" policy can Fred. Olsen avoid emitting 4 tons of carbon dioxide, consuming approximately 50,000 liters of water and felling 55 trees every year.

However, even for this seasoned navigator, charting the course through the digital era presents its own set of challenges.

Challenges

Javier Padron Rufino, the head of procurement and technology at Fred. Olsen, S.A., was facing 2 primary challenges that impeded the smooth functioning of the company's operations. The first was the high cost of maintaining the Adobe suite, which proved to be a significant financial burden on the company's resources. The second challenge was the rigid software licensing, as their previous software only offered monthly or annual options.

This rigidity was incompatible with the needs of Fred. Olsen, S.A., a company that required a solution that was cost-effective and offered more flexible, perpetual licensing. "High software costs and restrictive licensing models were hindering our efficiency and growth," shares Javier.

“High software costs and restrictive licensing models were hindering our efficiency and growth.”

These challenges were further compounded when the company decided to implement paperless initiatives even before the onset of Covid-19. "We were using a lot of paper, which was neither efficient nor sustainable. We needed a solution that would not only accelerate the work process but also promote more economical use of resources." This move towards digitization presented its own set of hurdles, including the need for a reliable and efficient way to digitize existing paper documents and manage new digital files effectively. They finally found their answer in Wondershare PDFelement.

Solutions

In the face of these challenges, Javier discovered a remedy through an online search: Wondershare PDFelement. PDFelement's affordable pricing structure and its perpetual licensing option made it an attractive choice for Fred. Olsen, S.A. Today, every department within the company — from finance and technology to administration — uses PDFelement for their daily tasks. The frequency of use varied among staff members, catering to their individual needs and responsibilities.

The features that stood out the most were the "Convert" and "Edit" options. These are used extensively across the company for daily file processing tasks. For instance, the "Convert" feature allows users to transform various file formats into PDFs, enabling easier sharing and storage. The "Edit" feature, on the other hand, gives users the flexibility to make changes to PDF files as necessary, enhancing productivity and efficiency.

A significant majority, approximately 90% of the users, lean heavily on the editing function. According to Javier, "Editing is the most used. It allows us to modify formats, both at the page and text levels."

One specific scenario where PDFelement has proven to be particularly beneficial is in their invoice processing. They can now scan all paper invoices and then circulate them digitally through each department. This digital workflow not only streamlines the process but also supports their commitment to sustainability by eliminating the need for paper and reducing the company's carbon footprint.

“Editing is the most used. It allows us to modify formats, both at the page and text levels.”

Results

The switch to PDFelement resulted in substantial cost savings for Fred. Olsen, S.A., aligning with Javier's personal career goal of financial prudence. But the benefits extended beyond the balance sheet. Employees found that they could perform the same tasks as they did with Adobe Acrobat, and even better with PDFelement. The transition was smooth, and the team adapted quickly to the new software, indicating its user-friendly interface and functionality.

“We must and have put a lot of effort into changing software or programs, such as Adobe. Now comes Wondershare, which does the same thing but much better than the others. Gradually, people have adapted well.”

In addition to cost savings and operational efficiency, PDFelement also scored high on customer service. Javier's experience with PDFelement was overwhelmingly positive, describing it as "Muy muy muy Buena (very good)". He valued the opportunity to interact directly with the manufacturer in his native language, Spanish. Furthermore, he underscored the superior sales and technical support he received, which stood in stark contrast to their prior reliance on Adobe's public hotline.

“Very very good, because being able to communicate with the account manager in Spanish has been incredible and, above all, having a direct line with the manufacturer, without having to go through the internet, through partners or anything, but rather talk directly to the account manager. That has greatly influenced the decision.”

Fred. Olsen, S.A.'s journey from paper to pixels, with PDFelement as a crucial ally, is a compelling testament to the transformative power of technology.

Their story serves as a shining beacon for other organizations navigating the often complex terrain of digital transformation. It illustrates how, by embracing the right software solutions tailored to their business needs, companies can enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to a sustainable future.

Moreover, Fred. Olsen, S.A.'s successful digital shift highlights the company's unwavering commitment to sustainability, a core value that is deeply ingrained in their corporate culture. As they continue to navigate the digital sea, they remain poised to set new standards in maritime transport.

By leveraging technology to fuel growth, improve customer service, and champion environmental stewardship, Fred. Olsen, S.A. offers valuable insights and inspiration. Their experience encapsulates the potential of aligning technological solutions with business strategies, demonstrating the immense possibilities that lie at the intersection of innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.