Moved to a Full ERP to Reduce Manual Processes
Manual processes were consuming Choice Products, so they moved to a full ERP solution; replacing their outdated accounting software. They turned to Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota(BASM) and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central as the ideal solution for their needs.
According to Fran Bistodeau, project manager at BASM, “Choice had specific needs unique to their industry and product offerings. Business Central offers the flexibility to create a system to work the way the User needs it to work. We spent a number of months up front learning Choice Products’ processes. We then matched up processes in the system, so when they went live, they would be fully operational.”
Choice Products specializes in school fundraising programs and products. They had developed a custom application to manage their unique business processes. This software managed their order entry system, truck-loading for their picking, packing and Bill of Lading process. BASM opened Business Central’s Web services modules and made a few adjustments. These adjustments enabled Choice’s IT Director, Brad Shilts, to convert orders directly into Business Central.
Customized Training
The team at Choice went through BASM’s customized training as the set up was taking place. BASM’s customized training, uses the client’s real data which makes the training and the results immediately relevant.
Spreadsheets in their former system, were now replaced by reports generated out of Business Central. Additionally, the complicated G.L system was replaced by a streamlined chart of accounts, using a “dimensions” functionality to help breakdown information by company, department and sales person. This reduced and simplified the account structure, giving more control over users to define who can do what, when, which processes, and access to financial data. The system prevents posting into closed months, for accurate reporting.
“In the old system, the month end process was lengthy and included printing reports and tying out data and numbers. That isn’t necessary with Business Central, because it’s all automated.”
Gwen Synder, Choice Products Controller
Choice Products Controller, Gwen Snyder, can now view transactions, see where items are posting to and make corrections as needed, buying back the time she used to spend issuing credit memos and corrected invoices. Gwen shared, “In the old system, the month end process was lengthy and included printing reports and tying out data and numbers. That isn’t necessary with Business Central, because it’s all automated.” The new month end process allows Gwen to close posting for the month and reconcile balances much more efficiently. Choice Products can now view reports by date to find the needed information.
Save Time and Reduce Errors
Other functionality that saves time and reduces error prone processes include:
- Using the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Production Order and BOM functionality to produce products.
- This process automatically reduced raw material quantities and produced finished goods with accurate costs, eliminating month end adjustments and reclassification of inventory.
- Production orders include packaging costs for finished items.
- This eliminates the need for end of month adjustments and provides more accurate product costing.
- Using an ISV product allows Choice the ability to create credit refunds for third party individuals.
- This eliminates the need to create and maintain contact for non – customer’s customers/vendors.
The Inventory Department is one of the many departments that saw an increase in efficiencies by moving to Business Central. By using BC’s “Assembly-to-Order”, choice experienced one of the largest time savings because costs and quantities post automatically as products ship to order.
“Choice had specific needs unique to their industry and product offerings. Business Central offers the flexibility to create a system to work the way the User needs it to work. We spent a number of months up front learning Choice Products’ processes. We then matched up processes in the system, so when they went live, they would be fully operational.”
Fran Bistodeau, Project manager at BASM
Technology is a Multiplier
BASM President, Ron Ketterling, said, “Choice Products understands how to use automation to support their unique business proposition. Technology is a multiplier for their staff and customers, allowing them to provide more service without increasing effort.”
More efficiencies and reporting capabilities will be gained as Choice Products continues to grow. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central’s flexible design and ability to grow with Users makes it the best choice for businesses.