Modernizing Business Systems: A Manufacturer’s Move to a Unified Microsoft Platform

 

Industry & Challenge

A chemical manufacturing company faced a critical operational challenge, their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems operated in silos. This led to inefficiencies, inconsistent data, and increased support costs. Managing multiple disconnected applications hindered visibility across departments, making it difficult to gain accurate customer insights and ensure smooth business operations.

 

Solution Provided

TrellisPoint worked with the client to consolidate their business applications by deploying a fully integrated Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem. The solution included:

• Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations for centralized financial and supply chain management.
• Dynamics 365 Sales to unify customer interactions and sales processes.
• Dynamics 365 Customer Service for streamlined case management and enhanced customer support.
• Dynamics 365 Customer Insights to provide a 360-degree view of customer data.

By eliminating disparate systems, TrellisPoint enabled seamless data flow across departments, reducing the risk of redundant or inaccurate information. The Microsoft ecosystem also provided a scalable foundation with lower long-term support and maintenance costs.

 

Results & Impact

• Improved Data Visibility: A single source of truth for financials, sales, and customer interactions.
• Reduced IT Complexity: Lower costs associated with system maintenance and support.
• Enhanced Customization: The flexibility to tailor the system to their unique business processes.
• Future-Proofed Technology: A scalable platform that can evolve with business needs.

 

Lessons & Takeaways

• Moving to an integrated Microsoft environment eliminates inefficiencies caused by disconnected systems.
• A unified ERP and CRM strategy improves data accuracy, customer insights, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Long-term scalability and lower maintenance costs should be key considerations when modernizing business applications.

This transformation positioned the company for continued growth while reducing operational risks tied to outdated, fragmented technology.

 

Unifying Data to Modernize Systems FAQ

 

Why was moving to a unified Microsoft Dynamics 365 system necessary for this chemical manufacturer?

The company had multiple disconnected systems for ERP and CRM, leading to data silos, inefficiencies, and high maintenance costs. A unified Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, Sales, Customer Service, and Customer Insights environment ensured seamless data flow and long-term scalability.

 

How did TrellisPoint ensure a smooth transition from multiple systems to Microsoft Dynamics 365?

We followed a phased implementation approach, integrating all key business functions while minimizing operational disruptions. We also provided user training to ensure smooth adoption.

 

What were the biggest challenges in migrating to Dynamics 365?

The primary challenges included data consolidation, process alignment across departments, and minimizing downtime. TrellisPoint addressed these with structured data migration strategies and process workshops.

 

How did Dynamics 365 improve long-term support and maintenance costs?

By moving to a single Microsoft ecosystem, the company reduced reliance on multiple vendors, decreased IT complexity, and leveraged Microsoft’s built-in updates and support, leading to lower total cost of ownership.

 

What impact did this transition have on operational efficiency?

The company gained:

• Real-time visibility into sales, financials, and customer interactions.
• Automated workflows that reduced manual effort.
• A single source of truth for decision-making across departments.

 

How does Dynamics 365 allow for business-specific customization?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides configurable workflows, custom fields, and AI-driven insights, allowing the company to tailor processes without heavy custom development.

 

What security and compliance benefits did the company gain by moving to Dynamics 365?

With Microsoft’s built-in security, compliance tools, and role-based access controls, the company improved data security, regulatory compliance, and risk management across its operations.

 

Can this solution scale as the business grows?

Yes! Dynamics 365 is cloud-based, meaning it can scale with business expansion, new product lines, and changing customer needs without requiring major infrastructure investments.