13 October 2009

Capstan rapidly implemented an new ERP system with help from Dynamics Source.

Capstan Ag Systems is a technology-based company specialising in creating new proprietary chemical and fertiliser systems for the agricultural industry. Headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, USA, Capstan’s inventive process involves research, engineering design, manufacturing, and lab and field testing, often working with other experts in the field.

Capstan had been running an old DBA Manufacturing system for a long time, and this was limiting the company on several levels – it had a lack of reporting detail, difficult accounting processes and poor integration of manufacturing and distribution data. “Our old system was very difficult to use,” says Jennifer Eubanks, controller at Capstan. “It felt like it was fighting us at every turn. And getting the necessary data out of the system was like pulling teeth.”

Capstan needed a modern business solution in a short timeframe – its window for implementation was from mid-November 2008 to early January 2009. It wanted month-over-month comparable reports for financials and sales, and the ability to continue its high level of customer service, responding rapidly to customer demands and developing new products quickly. The system must enable it to maintain a high number of bills of material that could be easily changed in response to customer requirements while being properly accounted for. In addition, Capstan wanted simple accounting processes, so the system would run like a ‘lean machine’ after go-live with minimal learning curve and downtime.

Dynamics Source stuck to the original budget and project timeline and delivered exactly what it promised

Jennifer Eubanks, Capstan Capstan partnered with Dynamics Source and implemented Microsoft Dynamics GP. Due to time and budget constraints, the project was completed using Dynamics Source’s rapid implementation methodology and remote implementation process. Working within a 45-day project window, Dynamics Source helped Capstan to implement Dynamics GP Advanced Management Edition with financials, distribution, manufacturing and reporting. The project started the week before Thanksgiving 2008 and went live just after the new year, ahead of schedule and well within budget, with no major business process changes and virtually zero downtime.

“When Dynamics Source told me it could do the implementation in just two months I was very sceptical – but I was wrong,” recalls Eubanks. “Dynamics Source stuck to the original budget and project timeline and delivered exactly what it promised.”

Capstan now has the financial, sales and operations reports it needs to make better decisions, and when an engineer creates a new product in the field, managers can rest assured that it will be tracked and accounted for properly.

The new system is more efficient, has better information and its accounting/enterprise resource planning (ERP) system will support its growth well into the future. “Microsoft Dynamics GP and Dynamics Source has been an unbeatable combination for our business,” concludes Eubanks. “Our only regret is that we didn’t make this change sooner.”

This article first appeared In the 2009/10 edition of the Prime Partner Guide

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