Our reference
The APEO Story: The Science of Natural Extracts Driven by Data
A spin-off from Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (University of Liège), APEO Solutions is a company at the forefront of biotechnological innovation. Specialized in research, manufacturing, and sale of natural extracts — notably essential oils — APEO transforms complex raw materials into high-value solutions. Strategically based within the university infrastructure of Gembloux, the company manages a hybrid production chain, between local manufacturing in Belgium and industrial transformation in the United States.
The challenges of an international and scientific production flow
To support its global expansion and the complexity of its chemical processes, APEO Solutions needed to modernize its operational management. The main challenge was to connect laboratory research to a production chain fragmented between Europe and the USA.
Unifying the transatlantic production flow: Ensuring perfect traceability between the manufacturing of semi-finished products in Belgium and their final transformation by an industrial partner in the United States.
Precision of analytical tracking and stocks: Mastering the actual profitability of each manufacturing lot and managing stocks of critical raw materials with scientific precision.
Digitalizing logistics and purchasing: Optimizing the supply of essential components to guarantee compliance with international production schedules.
Integrating into a hybrid ecosystem: Adopting an agile solution capable of structuring the operations of a growing technological start-up.
The Idealis solution: An operational architecture for biotechnologies
1. Structuring the hybrid value chain
Idealis' intervention allowed for the creation of a unified work environment under Odoo V18. By implementing the MRP (Production) module, we modeled the unique life cycle of APEO products: from receiving natural extracts to creating semi-finished products ready for export. This structure ensures that every transformation step is traced, documented, and valued.
2. Traceability and profitability
We configured Odoo to meet the strict requirements of the biotechnological sector:
- Production tracking and Timesheets: Allowing technical teams to precisely encode the time and resources consumed, directly feeding into analytical accounting.
- Precision logistics and Quality Control: Fine management of transfers between Belgium and the USA, offering real-time visibility on outsourced production work-in-progress. This traceability is reinforced by the implementation of strict quality controls at each key step: upon receipt of raw materials, at the end of the production process, upon receipt of semi-finished products in the American supplier's warehouses, and at the very end of manufacturing.
- Strategic decision aid: Odoo now allows APEO to compare actual production costs against estimates, allowing for precise arbitration on international sales prices.
3. Flexible support
Beyond the tool, Idealis provided business advice to ensure that Odoo adapts to the agile structure of a spin-off. Centralizing sales, purchase, and stock data frees scientific teams from administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on innovation and the development of new natural solutions.
A catalyst for technological growth
Thanks to the partnership with Idealis, APEO Solutions now has a robust technological foundation that supports its international ambitions. The end of information silos ensures the sustainability of technical and commercial knowledge, which is essential in a sector where data is a competitive advantage. APEO can now steer its technological projects with total serenity and increased responsiveness to global demand.
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