ERP Implementation and Process Improvement for a Retail Manufacturer
Guiding ERP implementation, process improvement, and post-go-live stabilization for a retail and manufacturing business moving off legacy systems.
Opportunity
The client had selected new ERP platforms, but needed experienced implementation leadership to turn those decisions into working business systems.
The organization was moving away from a legacy on-premise ERP while managing a complex retail and distribution environment. Core workflows relied heavily on manual effort, and disconnected data made reporting and operational visibility difficult.
- Implementation of Microsoft Business Central Finance and Blue Cherry
- Legacy on-premise ERP environment with difficult platform integrations
- 41 EDI partners and website connections to coordinate
- People-heavy workflows across warehouse management, shipping allocation, inventory, customer service, and returns
- Isolated and incomplete data limiting reporting and operational visibility
- Need for strong implementation leadership, vendor coordination, and business analysis
Solution
Ascendex provided implementation leadership, systems architecture support, and business analysis throughout the ERP implementation.
The work went beyond project coordination. Ascendex helped refine business processes, guide vendor execution, support system configuration, and prepare teams to operate effectively after go-live.
- Led project management and business analysis across the ERP implementation
- Supported Microsoft Business Central Finance implementation, including finance process design and GL history migration
- Supported Blue Cherry implementation across purchasing, logistics, inventory, sales orders, invoicing, warehouse operations, returns, and crediting
- Refined business processes to reduce manual work and improve system usage
- Coordinated integrations across EDI partners, website connections, automated shipping, receiving, and fulfillment workflows
- Documented and trained new processes for finance, purchasing, costing, returns, and credits
- Supported the client for eight months after go-live until the team was self-sufficient
Results
The engagement helped the client complete a complex ERP implementation on schedule and move into a more stable operating model.
The client reduced manual work, strengthened platform adoption, and improved the way teams handled seasonal operating pressure.
- Completed the full Business Central implementation on schedule in 14 months
- Reduced seasonal and temporary staffing needs by 50%
- Automated purchase order processes through imports and stronger use of system capabilities
- Migrated seven years of general ledger balance history
- Improved order fulfillment, receiving, warehousing, returns, and crediting workflows
- Increased alignment across the client team, implementation vendors, and business stakeholders
- Supported post-go-live stabilization until the client was self-sufficient
What’s Next
This story is one example of the kind of work Ascendex supports in complex environments. We support organizations navigating complex ERP, BI, CRM, and technology leadership initiatives where systems, data, and teams have to perform under real operational pressure.
Want more examples? View our case studies hub.
Whether you need a focused project, executive oversight, or help aligning the next stage of your roadmap, we bring structure to execution and stay close to the work as priorities evolve. Explore our services or reach out to talk through your situation.