Ekokymppi is developing a digitally controlled waste management system with Microsoft Fabric

From reporting challenges to a managed solution

Ekokymppi’s reporting environment was previously based on an Azure data warehouse and a data transfer solution developed by a software supplier. However, the data was transferred inconsistently, and errors were common. This made reporting more difficult and slowed down activities.

– There were constant discrepancies between the reports and the source system. This created uncertainty and required a lot of work. Ultimately, it became clear that the data transfer solution had structural problems, according to CEO Jukka Oikarainen.

The reporting development was also driven by external requirements. Waste management companies are legally and regulatorily obliged to report their activities to the authorities. For example, waste quantities and processing information are transferred to the YLVA environment management system, and sustainability reporting regulations require more stringent and up-to-date environmental data.

Pinja’s experts developed a complete overhaul, which included migrating to Microsoft Fabric and implementing a new, clear, and managed data warehousing solution. This solution provides a reliable basis for internal monitoring and regulatory reporting.

Tangible results: high-quality reporting and better decisions

The overhaul has vastly improved the quality, coverage, and usability of Ekokymppi’s reporting. According to Marjut Kinnunen, the quality and development manager, the data is now transferred accurately and in real-time from the systems, eliminating previous ambiguities and reducing the need for manual reviews. The new data transfer model and modeled data warehouse ensure reports are based on consistent, reliable data that can be used for a wide range of activities.

According to CEO Jukka Oikarinen, management reporting has improved significantly: financial and operational monitoring is now more precise, visual, and practical. Financial reports provide account-level information, and users can drill down into individual transactions without any technical expertise, which supports proactive management and strategic decision-making.

Customer service reporting has also shifted from reactive to preventive. Error reports help identify discrepancies before billing, and emptying events can be monitored based on driver feedback. These improvements enable customer service to provide accurate guidance on sorting errors and emptying intervals, promoting cost-effectiveness for the customers and Ekokymppi’s environmental goals.

One significant benefit is billing automation. Previously, the process required manual review and was prone to error. Now, reporting provides a real-time view of billing batches and enables preliminary reviews before they are issued.

– We were able to automate the entire billing process because reporting now works properly. We can inspect incoming batches beforehand and ensure that everything we send to customers is correct. This wasn’t possible before, Kinnunen sums up.

Data supports service development and new business opportunities

Effective and up-to-date reporting has improved Ekokymppi’s operational efficiency, and the effects reach service and business development as well. More accurate data usage helps identify new possibilities and ways to add value to our services for customers.

– More accurate data use enables us to develop new service models that were previously unachievable.

For example, we have a service for major customers that uses data on emptying intervals, sorting errors, and driver feedback. Our customer service team uses these reports to address deviations and provide targeted guidance, such as recommendations for emptying intervals or ways to improve sorting. The service is currently being piloted. According to Kinnunen, the initial experience has been positive.

Functioning cooperation and shared expertise

Oikarinen and Kinnunen both feel that their cooperation with Pinja has been straightforward, solution-oriented and goal-driven right from the beginning. Pinja’s experts have played a key role in the design and development work. Communication has been smooth, issues are handled quickly, and progress is flexible.

Kinnunen adds that Pinja’s strong industry expertise in waste management has been a significant advantage. They are familiar with the specifics of the industry, which sped up the planning process and facilitated the customization of solutions for Ekokymppi. We quickly found common ground and didn’t need middlemen or complex processes.

The cooperation was based on mutual expertise and trust, and the results are already apparent. The new solution supports Ekokymppi’s operations, and provides a strong foundation for further development.