At INFOCUS 2025, Jacob Neises of Michelman shared how the global chemical manufacturer transformed repetitive, error-prone processes into efficient, automated workflows using JD Edwards. By embracing JDE Orchestrator and other built-in tools, Michelman reduced manual tasks, saved thousands of hours annually, and built a stronger foundation for scalability. 

Why Michelman Turned to Automation 

Michelman, headquartered in Cincinnati with offices across Europe and Asia, supports more than 400 JD Edwards users. After a major upgrade from 9.0 to 9.2 in 2017, the team committed to staying code current. That decision set the stage for continuous innovation, including a growing focus on automation. 

The motivation was clear: 

• Eliminate repetitive tasks that added little value. 
• Improve data accuracy and reduce the risk of user errors. 
• Save time and money by automating processes that consumed hundreds of hours annually. 
• Enhance user experience within JD Edwards. 

With support from business analysts who worked closely with end users, the IT team identified high-impact, low-effort opportunities that delivered immediate wins. 

Key Automation Use Cases 

1. Exchange Rate Automation

Finance staff once entered exchange rates manually each day—a tedious process prone to errors. By integrating JDE Orchestrator with xe.com’s API, Michelman automated the retrieval and update of daily exchange rates. 

• Outcome: Six users saved 500 hours annually, equating to over $30,000 in cost savings. 
• Effort: Just two days of IT development. 

2. Automated GST Tax Entries in India

Sales orders in India required staff to manually calculate and apply GST tax lines based on customer codes. Michelman automated the process with orchestrations, logic extensions, and a small Ruby script to parse tax IDs. 

• Outcome: 1,800 hours saved per year—valued at more than $120,000. 
• Effort: Four hours of development. 

3. Requisition Notifications

Approval bottlenecks often delayed requisitions. Michelman built an orchestration that emailed approvers a direct JDE link, reducing the time spent chasing down approvals. 

• Outcome: Faster cycle times with no additional licensing or spend. 

4. Automated Document Attachments

Attaching sales documents to orders used to be manual, repetitive, and time-consuming. Michelman automated the process with UBEs, creating media object links automatically. 

• Outcome: Hours saved daily across multiple regions and fewer errors in customer documentation. 

5. Mobile Workorder App

By digitizing paper workorders, Michelman provided real-time visibility, automatic checks, dashboards, and document scanning directly from mobile devices. This empowered shop-floor employees while reducing errors and improving communication. 

6. Item Expiration Management

Managing expiring items required significant manual effort to check orders and quantities. Michelman’s custom app automated the process, giving users real-time views of items set to expire and automatically updating statuses when stock was consumed. 

Lessons Learned 

Michelman’s journey highlights a few key takeaways: 

• Know your processes first: Automation only works if workflows are clearly understood. 
• Target quick wins: High-impact, low-effort automations build momentum and user buy-in. 
• Use the tools you already have: Many automations were built with JDE’s native Orchestrator, UBEs, or form extensions—no extra spend required. 
• Empower end users: By removing repetitive tasks, staff can focus on higher-value work. 

Building a Smarter Future with JD Edwards 

Michelman’s organic approach to automation shows how incremental improvements add up to big results. By strategically prioritizing projects and leveraging JD Edwards’ native tools, the company reduced manual work, improved data quality, and freed employees to focus on innovation. 

The future of JDE automation at Michelman is bright, with planned initiatives in areas like document management, compliance, and data validation—all designed to grow smarter, not harder. 

Want more?  

Explore more content and resources to help you get the most from your JD Edwards investment:  

• Be sure to check out the INFOCUS 2025 Event Hub (coming soon) for presentation slides – available exclusively to Quest members.  
• Explore the JD Edwards Orchestrator Strategic Content Center for more Quest-exclusive resources.  
• Visit the Quest Learn Library for blogs, how-to demos, and on-demand sessions.  
• Connect with peers in one of our Quest JD Edwards Community User Groups to swap stories, ask questions, and share tips with other users facing the same challenges.  

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