Retail and Hospitality
uBid consolidates operations with Dynamics AX
11 April 2008
Chicago-based, online auctioneer uBid, has chosen Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 with Dynamics CRM Online to replace both its Oracle E-Business Suite enterprise resource planning system and its Siebel CRM software.
uBid, which operates uBid.com as well as live auctions and other channels, anticipates that Microsoft Dynamics solutions will enable it to create efficiencies in its IT platform specifically by supporting hardware, operating systems and databases, while reducing hiring needs.
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Columbus IT implemented the Dynamics suite for uBid to handle back-end transactions for e-commerce and integrate it with the company’s current custom-built, Microsoft-based e-commerce engine and SQL Server. Microsoft CRM Online will provide contact management for uBid’s call centre and will be integrated with the Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Credit card management software also will be integrated into the system.
“uBid was looking for a partner that would offer some synergies with its own staff,” said Ed Crawford, senior account executive at Columbus IT. “We have involved our professional services team at every step to provide the appropriate functionality and flexibility for uBid within Microsoft Dynamics AX.”
Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 will allow uBid to separate out financials across its three legal entities and its holding company into separate general ledgers, as well as benefiting from forecasting functionalities. The new technology is designed to make it easier for uBid to handle international shipping and varying vendor commission structures, and will automatically sort out taxation that applies differently to a variety of vendors. Microsoft Dynamics AX users can also access all the data and reports over the Internet, taking advantage of Microsoft SharePoint Services.
“By consolidating our operating systems, applications and developer tools with Microsoft, we gain a lower total cost of ownership, because we can leverage the same developer knowledge base and skill set across our Web platform, ERP and CRM,” said Amy Powers, vice president of technology at uBid.
“Increasingly, businesses like uBid are finding far-reaching benefits in adopting a new generation of business solutions to provide the speed, visibility and flexibility they require in a rapidly evolving marketplace,” said Michael Park, corporate vice president for Microsoft’s US Dynamics business. “Microsoft Dynamics AX is designed to integrate and automate the gathering and distribution of information, helping organisations stay ahead of the marketplace and see around the bends in the road ahead.”