Aarbakke Chooses "Locally Grown" ERP Solution

‍Bryne-based Aarbakke has gone live with RamBase, the cloud-based ERP system from Hatteland. In collaboration with consulting firm Mazeppa, Hatteland proves its ability to deliver ERP solutions that challenge global industry giants.

“We now have a solution that is well suited to our needs and processes. At the same time, we have chosen a standardized, cloud-based ERP system that remains up to date, with security managed by a professional provider. The integration capabilities of RamBase allow for flexibility and scalability. Additionally, this opens up exciting opportunities for the future, including autonomous warehouse systems, advanced production lines, and big data analytics,” says Håkon Oma, CEO of Aarbakke.

Aarbakke has deliberately chosen local expertise in Bryne, Norway, prioritizing close collaboration and dedicated follow-up from both the consultants at Mazeppa and the system provider RamBase.

“Together with RamBase and Aarbakke, we have developed entirely new functionality, creating a tailored solution for industrial businesses. This is a major functional upgrade that enhances RamBase’s ERP system, benefiting all industrial customers. It's a win-win for everyone, says Mazeppa CEO, Aage Ramstad.

Norway’s Smartest Industrial Company

Aarbakke’s roots date back to 1918, and since 1981, Aarbakke has focused on serving customers that deliver and install critical systems for the energy industry. This includes various subsea and oil service companies, where quality, delivery time, traceability, and documentation are key success factors.

In 2021, Aarbakke was named Norway’s Smartest Industrial Company by Norsk Industri. Jury leader Torger Reve highlighted Aarbakke’s continuous adoption of new technology and digitalization to advance its production. At the same time, the company actively shares its knowledge and experience with both competitors and partners, making it a key contributor to the development of Norway’s entire industrial sector—not just its own business.

The company has evolved from being a subcontractor for the offshore industry to becoming a technology provider, now also delivering solutions for renewable energy and green industries. Aarbakke employs over 300 people and reports an annual revenue of approximately 900 million NOK.

Chose a New ERP Solution

Aarbakke’s previous ERP system could not be upgraded without a complete redesign. Additionally, several functions were custom-built add-ons that could not be carried over. The lack of unified management data across systems caused inefficiencies and extra work for users.

“Significant resources were spent upgrading specialized solutions that no longer addressed the company’s challenges, and we were accumulating technological debt. The old system would have held us back at a time when we need to continuously improve digitalization and efficiency in business-critical processes. Our goal was to implement a standardized, cloud-based ERP system where all development was handled by RamBase, allowing us to align with the same industrial standards as others in our sector,” says Håkon Oma, CEO of Aarbakke.

Aarbakke now has a modern solution with a more flexible collaboration technology, enriched with functional requirements tailored for industrial businesses. Previously, employees worked across multiple systems—now, everyone operates within a single solution. This ensures better data integrity and quality while also reducing both IT and operational costs for Aarbakke.

Seamless Three-Party Collaboration

This is a major ERP implementation for RamBase, demonstrating that the solution can handle large, complex industrial businesses and reinforcing Hatteland’s position as a challenger to global ERP giants.

“A well-established project methodology is essential for the success of such a large ERP implementation, but it cannot replace the strong and agile three-party collaboration we have built. This ‘collaborative capital’ is key—not only in finding the right solutions but also in overcoming challenges along the way,” says Erling Skjevrak, full-time project manager for Aarbakke from Mazeppa.

The project took slightly longer than originally planned. Introducing such a comprehensive change requires patience in building expertise, system trust, and user confidence—all critical for long-term system stability and minimizing operational risks. The extended timeline was a strategic decision to ensure a smooth transition. Given the company’s revenue, this investment is expected to deliver a rapid return post-implementation.

“Our focus now is on stabilizing the solution, providing user support, and handling operational tasks,” says Skjevrak.

The State of ERP in Norwegian Industry

A recent ERP survey by PwC revealed that only 29% of companies in Norway use cloud-based ERP solutions, and more than half of PwC’s own clients have yet to begin their cloud transformation.

“I believe Aarbakke’s situation reflects that of many industrial companies in Norway. When the country’s smartest industrial company moves to the cloud to enable AI and other modern solutions, it raises important questions about the overall state of ERP adoption in Norwegian industry. A modern ERP system creates a future-ready digital framework, providing industrial companies with operational value in the digital transformation that Norway’s industry must embrace,” says Ramstad.

An ERP system is business-critical, and without a fully integrated solution where all data is stored consistently and reliably, companies risk losing control over governance and decision-making. Additionally, as new technology development is primarily happening in cloud-based solutions, industrial companies must migrate their ERP systems to the cloud to stay competitive.

“For Norwegian industrial companies to access machine learning, artificial intelligence, IoT integrations, sustainability reporting, and advanced security architecture, more must transition to cloud-based ERP. All new technology development happens in cloud solutions,” says Sales Director at RamBase, Odd Magne Vea and concludes:

“We’ve been using online banking for years, taxes are reported online, mail is digital, and nearly all entertainment we consume is cloud-based. It’s time for Norwegian industrial companies to make the shift and move their ERP systems to the cloud.”