Testimonial • 10.12.2025

"Outdated practices brought up to date"

VAUDE digitalizes customs processes with ZODIAK GE

VAUDE stands for innovative and sustainable outdoor products and responsible business practices. Accordingly, the company also relies on efficient, digital, and sustainable processes in logistics and customs clearance—with ZODIAK GE as the ideal solution for a future-oriented system landscape.

About VAUDE

VAUDE Sport GmbH, headquartered in Tettnang-Obereisenbach (Lake Constance district), is 100% family-owned and employs approximately 600 people. Since its founding in 1974 by Albrecht von Dewitz, VAUDE has stood for high-quality outdoor products and a strong connection to nature. Under the leadership of Antje von Dewitz, who took over the management from her father in 2009, VAUDE has successfully positioned itself as an internationally recognized, sustainable, and innovative outdoor brand.

Website:https://www.vaude.int/en/en

The family-run company has been relying on DAKOSY's expertise for customs clearance since 2006. All processes for import, export, and NCTS clearance, as well as customs warehouse management, are deeply integrated into the merchandise management system via interfaces for extensive automation in the flow of goods.

Last year, when DAKOSY's logistics specialists unveiled their successor customs software, ZODIAK GE, and recommended migration, a strategic decision-making process began within the company. “We liked ZODIAK GE from the very beginning. The software is very clearly structured and user-friendly,” emphasizes Tobias Kaiser, Key User in VAUDE’s logistics department, adding: “The ZODIAK software we had been using up to that point had been perfectly tailored to our needs through numerous customizations. These VAUDE-specific functions were not included in the new solution, and we were faced with the challenge of how to maintain our customary speedy and smooth goods flow.”

The presentation of ZODIAK GE convinced VAUDE, particularly in comparison with other solutions on the customs software market. Based on the positive performance and the fruitful long-standing collaboration with DAKOSY, VAUDE decided to migrate to ZODIAK GE.

“We liked ZODIAK GE from the very beginning. The software is very clearly structured and user-friendly.”

Tobias Kaiser, Key User in VAUDE’s logistics department

Migration process

In the course of several workshops, all processes were re-evaluated and the previously customized functions were reviewed for their relevance. “We were able to eliminate many outdated practices and reduce the complexity of the processes. We integrated the Vaude-specific processes into our ERP system, resulting in a streamlined, stable, and highly transparent customs software solution that we are very pleased with.”

Training seminars

Well in advance of the software launch, DAKOSY conducted administrator and user training sessions. The training took place in the test environment and was prepared thoroughly. Customs procedures were performed by using concrete examples, master data was created, and special functions were demonstrated. The training sessions were held online, so that afterwards all participants also received video recordings, which were very helpful for further familiarization.

Go-Live

The Go-Live for ZODIAK GE took place with a changeover deadline for the customs warehouse on June 30, 2025, and everything went smoothly. Since then, ZODIAK GE has been the only system in use. The following two innovations have proven particularly useful in everyday work, Kaiser concludes: “The new BOX interface to our merchandise management system is very transparent, so you always have a good overview and can eliminate incorrect processes immediately. The automated transfer of customs documents to all goods items within a customs declaration is also really convenient and saves a lot of time.”

“The new BOX interface to our merchandise management system is very transparent, so you always have a good overview and can eliminate incorrect processes immediately. The automated transfer of customs documents to all goods items within a customs declaration is also really convenient and saves a lot of time.”

Tobias Kaiser, Key User in VAUDE’s logistics department