FROM ON-PREM TO CLOUD: NORENGROS' JOURNEY TO A SAAS WMS

Norengros is Norway’s largest supplier of consumer goods to both private and public sectors, with a nationwide network of 13 companies and 37 wholesale stores. Since 2015, several of these companies have been using Astro WMS® - the warehouse management system from Consafe Logistics - to support and optimize operations in their warehouses. This logistics setup ensures high product availability and fast distribution to customers across the country. 

At the end of 2023, Norengros decided to move Astro WMS® to a centralized SaaS solution. The goal was to have one shared system across all sites, delivered in a more flexible way. The company’s ambition was to grow and expand to new locations, and they saw that a SaaS model would give them the scalability and effectiveness needed to support those plans.

5 warehouse sites operating Astro WMS® as SaaS

48 000 quare meters of total warehouse area

123 users

Challenge

Before the SaaS migration, Norengros operated three sites using Astro WMS®, each with its own local, on-premises installation. These on-premises setups meant that every site required separate hardware, local IT support, and individual handling of software updates and maintenance. Managing multiple WMS environments added unnecessary complexity and took up valuable time and resources - especially as the business continued to grow. 

Solution 

Over a period of seven months, these three warehouses transitioned from on-premises installations to the SaaS solution, while two additional warehouses implemented directly Astro WMS® SaaS.  

Go-lives were carefully spaced with two to three weeks between each site, allowing teams to focus on execution and provide support where needed. 

Steps of the transition: 

1. Preparation and Planning – Joint planning workshops were held to define goals, assess system requirements, and outline the migration approach for each site. 
2. System and Infrastructure Readiness – Technical preparations were made, including reviewing and aligning existing configurations, data, and processes to fit the SaaS setup. 
3. Merging and Consolidation – Existing on-prem systems were gradually aligned to enable a smooth migration to a centralized, cloud-based environment. 
4. Testing and Validation – Extensive testing ensured that integrations, performance, and data flows worked as expected. 
5. Training and Change Management – Users were trained by Consafe Logistics in the two new implementation projects, while experienced teams across Norengros supported each other sharing knowledge and best practices during the transition projects. 
6. Go-Live Execution – Each site transitioned to the new SaaS solution in a phased rollout. 
7. Post-Go-Live Support – Ongoing support ensured quick issue resolution and a stable operational environment. 

The transition process was guided by four key success factors: 

• Engaged and Prepared Team – during the process, a number of training sessions were conducted by Consafe Logistics, so employees were confident of using the system from day one. The Norengros teams were also open to share the knowledge that made collaboration seamless and lead to great results. 

• Strong Collaboration – close cooperation and shared commitment between Norengros and Consafe Logistics enabled clear communication and fast problem-solving. 

• Extensive Testing – multiple testing phases allowed for early identification and resolution of potential issues, reducing risks and securing a stable system before go-live. 

• Data Readiness – Norengros invested significant effort in cleaning and structuring warehouse data to avoid disruptions during the data migration process. 
  
  

Key Benefits 

By moving to Astro WMS® in the SaaS delivery model, Norengros no longer needs to manage system security, maintenance, or infrastructure on their own. These responsibilities now lie with Consafe Logistics, allowing Norengros to focus on operations while benefiting from a secure, and reliable solution. Here’s what they gain as a result:  

• Minimized IT workload  
• 99.9% uptime guarantee, with geo-redundant backups and self-healing infrastructure  
• Modern authentication process   
• Enhanced infrastructure setup and security through Zero Trust Architecture, advanced threat detection, and ISO 27001 compliance  
• Reduction of touchpoints for warehouse managers, allowing more time for meaningful work 
• Greater system stability and reliability 
• Updates included: The Astro WMS® SaaS package comes with regular upgrades, ensuring that Norengros always runs a supported version of the software 

“Our transition to a SaaS WMS was a well-prepared and smooth process that let us keep operations running without disruption, while freeing us from the work of managing servers and system maintenance. Thanks to thorough testing and planning, everything went as expected. With a centralized system in place, it’s now much easier to scale and bring new sites on board—without adding IT complexity. Our warehouse managers also benefit from having fewer technical touchpoints. They spend less time on system-related tasks and more time on work that really adds value.”  
— Bård Helle, Solutions Architect & System Owner, Norengros AS 

“We knew that moving to SaaS was a big decision. It meant letting go of some of the control we had with our on-premises setup. But thanks to solid planning and great collaboration with Consafe Logistics, we felt confident throughout the process. Today, we clearly see the benefits—especially when it comes to a smoother experience for our end users. The system just works, and we trust that if something comes up, Consafe Logistics will take care of it.”  
— Vermund Rye Otterdal, Warehouse & IT manager, Norengros Ødegaard