Case Studies
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Client: MW Brands Category: Distribution & Importation Attached file: Date: May 11 |
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Business Situation
After spinning off from its former parent, the H.J. Heinz Company, MW brands inherited a dated and expensive IT infrastructure that could not adequately support their supply chain network or plans for expansion. To remain competitive, they needed a more open and affordable IT platform. MW Brands, eager to replace the old systems swiftly and create its own independent IT architecture, rejected the large-scale ERP approach many corporations were pursuing. The MW Brands board felt that it was too big, too complex, potentially too costly and too risky for the size of the company that they had acquired. The new architecture had to be more flexible, more responsive, quick to integrate with existing systems, cost-effective but still capable of maintaining a high level of service to customers. |
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Solution
Recognising the need for a new management and connectivity environment and working with Grant Thornton, MW Brands went through an ERP system selection process. In July 2006, MW Brands selected Microsoft Dynamics NAV as the core ERP system. evo-soft erp working in Partnership with Spargonet (both Gold Service Microsoft Partners) carried out the implementation. |
Benefits
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CUSTOMER PROFILE
Having traded for 90 years, they continue to build their business based on well established values - good customer service, value for money and proudly supplying goods from some of the best cycle component suppliers in the world. BUSINESS CHALLENGE In recent years, Chicken Cyclekit has experienced huge growth, which has led to an increase in revenue and confirmation the company is one of the market leaders in their field. However, that growth left the organisation in a situation where their business software application was simply unable to cope. For several years Chicken Cyclekit had operated with a custom solution written in Linux, but it had a number of limitations which were preventing the company from growing even further and fulfilling their true potential. Mike Catlin, Sales Director for Chicken Cyclekit, explained the drawbacks of the old bespoke application: “Easy integration into Windows was our number one problem and this, in turn, affected several key areas of the business such as analysis of stock, sales and general ledger. “There was also the difficulty of extracting data – it was very slow and there was a lack of drill down – and these limitations were costing us valuable time, both as individuals and as a business, which could have been used far more profitably elsewhere.” Radical changes to Chicken Cyclekit’s business software application were needed to ensure important information could be easily and readily available and accessed more quickly. CHOOSING AN ERP SOLUTION After thoroughly investigating various ERP solutions, Chicken Cyclekit opted for Microsoft Dynamics NAV because it possessed all the functionality they needed to run their business. Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a scalable, end-to-end business management solution that can be implemented and customised rapidly to meet industry specific requirements.
It offers small and midsize businesses a powerful, yet cost-effective, solution which supports business growth. It was Chicken Cyclekit’s confidence that they could build a good working relationship with Evo-soft which played a huge part in them selecting them as their preferred partner. Mike Catlin said: “Before deciding upon NAV, we also looked at Access Accounts. “But for Chicken Cyclekit, who thrive on building and developing close relationships with our clients, Access Accounts, as a company, were far too big and too impersonal. “We didn’t want to deal with a call centre – we like to deal with people. “As a business that is continuing to grow yet was struggling with its old system, we wanted a new solution which was fast to implement, easy to configure and simple to use. “We wanted to be able to integrate and centrally store our financial, stock and sales information and increase productivity. “As a company, we were attracted to the strong capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics NAV to support growth and our changing business requirements.” Mike Catlin added: “We also liked the fact that Evo-soft has a 10 year history of working with companies in the distribution sector and once we knew they could tailor the system to suit us as a company and enable us to operate more efficiently, it was a straightforward decision to make. “The whole process from the initial contact with Evo-soft right through to the implementation of NAV really was a painless process. “Since we have gone live with NAV, Evo-soft’s first-class service has continued. We receive very good support from them whenever we need it. “Dealing with Evo-soft means you receive the personal touch and you always feel like a valued customer.” BUSINESS BENEFITS SINCE IMPLEMENTING MICROSOFT DYNAMICS NAV Since implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Chicken Cyclekit have benefited from a significant improvement in their day-to-day operations. Mike Catlin explained: “The increase in the general efficiency of the company has been extremely notable. “Our analysis of sales is much quicker and far more thorough than it ever was before. “In addition, our accounts department are able to analyse data and produce reports in a way that gives us full visibility across the business. “The amount of time we have saved has been huge as we now have time to focus on other areas of the business. NAV is really helping us grow quicker.” Derek Fisher, Evo-soft Director, said: “It was clear from the onset of the project that Chicken Cyclekit were in a fast paced environment and needed the ability to respond quickly to customer demands. “Our priorities were to automate time consuming processes allowing the employees to spend time on more profitable activities, and to provide business intelligence where it was needed so that the workforce could make the correct decisions to drive the business forward. “Microsoft Dynamics NAV met those needs and is allowing Chicken Cyclekit to accelerate its growth with confidence.” PROFILE OF EVO-SOFT Established in 2001, Evo-soft is a leading UK Microsoft Gold Certified Dynamics NAV partner who supply, modify and support Microsoft Dynamics NAV. This singularity has allowed them to develop extensive expertise so they can provide the best advice and align the product to be of the greatest benefit to their clients. Evo-soft’s vertical focus is supply chain management. They have a proven track record of unlocking the full commercial potential of all their customers, including those that import and distribute products such as seasonal goods, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), homeware, giftware and electrical items. Evo-soft are a results oriented company renowned for delivering success stories for their clients and for setting standards of excellence within their markets. For more information contact Evo-soft on 01793 554843 or visit www.evo-soft.co.uk |
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Client: GGS Spectrum Energy & Information Technology Category: Distribution & Importation Attached file: Date: May 11 |
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Business Situation
GGS Spectrum operated with a dated disparate legacy system that was inefficient and costly. To meet their future requirements, Spectrum required an affordable and integrated IT system which supported the operation whilst also provided a high level of business analysis capability. |
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Solution
GGS Spectrum went through an ERP selection process and eventually selected Microsoft Dynamics NAV as the core system and Gold Service Microsoft Partner – evo-soft erp to carry out the implementation and ongoing support. |
Benefits
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Client: Peter Harvey Floral Arts Products Category: Distribution & Importation Attached file: Date: May 11 |
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Business Situation
Peter Harvey recognised that their IT infrastructure lacked the capability to support their existing commercial needs and take the business forward within a competitive seasonal market. Their system was inflexible, costly to run, did not suit the specialist seasonal aspects of the business and lacked stock control. |
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Solution
After completing an ERP selection process, Peter Harvey selected Microsoft Dynamics NAV plus evo-soft erp. evo-soft were specifically chosen because of their extensive seasonal distribution and cash & carry software development. |
Benefits
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