In today’s business environment, where the pace of change and competition increases daily, companies need not just automation tools, but reliable and scalable solutions that provide process transparency and measurable results. One such solution is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Applications — an ERP system that helps efficiently manage finance, manufacturing, inventory, sales, assets, expenses, retail operations, budgeting, projects, warehouse logistics, transportation, packaging, customer relationships, human resources, and other operational activities.
In this article, we share real implementation stories of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Applications (formerly Axapta) carried out by the SMART business team.
Mineral Water Producer: Large-Scale Digital Transformation of Operational Processes
Context
A globally recognized mineral water manufacturer and distributor relied on a mix of manual, partially automated, and independently automated business processes across different software solutions. This fragmented IT infrastructure complicated the continuity and efficiency of operations, made it impossible to obtain accurate and consistent data, and created risks of inefficient resource utilization.
Objective
The key goal was to implement a reliable, comprehensive ERP system that would cover both core and auxiliary business processes, ensure their effective execution, and serve as the foundation for a new unified software environment.
SMART business Solution
The SMART business team implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Applications modules covering Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, General Ledger, WMS, Inventory, Purchasing and Sourcing, Sales and Marketing, Production Accounting, MRP, Cost Accounting and Budgeting, Fixed Assets, and Cash & Bank.
The system was integrated with solutions such as SMART Payroll, the SmartPoint DMS electronic document management system, and other solutions to automate specific business processes. Additionally, within Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Applications, the SMART Accounting solution was deployed to ensure tax and regulatory accounting in accordance with local legal requirements.
Results
As part of the transformation, over 200 business processes and subprocesses in finance, procurement, and production were newly implemented, optimized, and automated.
International System Integrator: Automation of Forecasting and Budgeting Processes
Context
An international company — a system integrator with over 20 years of experience implementing advanced IT practices for business and the public sector — operates under a project-oriented model. The company used accounting systems, but before implementing Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Applications, all budgeting operations were performed manually, making efficient resource planning and financial management difficult. At the same time, the company was running two additional subprojects — the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and the SmartPoint DMS electronic document management system.
Objective
The task was to streamline and automate forecasting and budgeting functions within the company’s processes to optimize cash outlook, resource planning and allow actual-plan analysis to improve overall operations. A key requirement was to create end-to-end business processes through integration with the company’s other accounting systems.
SMART business Solution
The SMART business team implemented the Budgeting module within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance, integrated with Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CRM) and connected via file exchange with the existing accounting systems. This allowed the company to establish a single end-to-end forecasting and budgeting process across all departments and enabled comparison of planned versus actual data for individual projects, customer segments, and the company as a whole.
Results
The company gained automated forecasting and budgeting processes, fully integrated with CRM and Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Applications functionality. Data exchange with existing systems enabled plan-versus-actual analysis at any stage of a project’s lifecycle, as well as across the entire company and its legal entities.
Transnational Automotive Corporation: Comprehensive Automation of Finance, Logistics, and Distribution
Context
Our client is a private transnational corporation, acting as a distributor, service provider, and full-cycle automotive manufacturer. The company serves as a general importer and official dealer, while actively developing its own distribution network. The scale of operations required unification of business processes and implementation of a modern ERP system that would ensure transparency, automation, and scalability of key operations.
SMART business implemented three projects for this client as part of the ERP rollout.
Project 1: Warehouse Process Automation for a New Warehouse
Objective
- Deploy a warehouse process model for the new facility within a few months.
- Propose optimal processes for a consignment stock scheme.
- Ensure integration with the owner’s systems.
- Automate the generation of inbound and outbound requests.
- Enable staff to perform all warehouse operations using handheld devices.
SMART business Solution
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 was implemented with Supply Chain Management modules (sales, purchases, inventory) and Warehouse Management System (WMS).
Results
- A consignment stock management system for spare parts has been implemented.
- The receiving processes for spare parts have been automated, with inbound documents automatically generated through integration with the inventory owner’s systems.
- All warehouse operations in the location-managed warehouse have been automated, including product put-away, product labeling, quality control, picking, internal transfers, and inventory counting.
- Employee picking routes have been optimized to eliminate repeated visits to the same locations.
- Spare parts shipping processes have been automated, with outbound documents automatically generated through integration with the inventory owner’s systems.
- Cross-docking processes have been automated.
- Packaging processes and printing of accompanying documents have been automated.
Project 2: Automation of Business Processes for an Auto Parts Sales Company
Objective
- Replace the outdated accounting system.
- Automate financial and logistics processes.
- Automate storage and import of manufacturer catalogs (over 100,000 items).
- Set up integration with distributor companies and the corporation’s retail network.
- Automate spare parts sales via the online store.
- Develop management reporting for operational analysis.
SMART business Solution
Fully integrated processes were implemented within Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, including corporate financial accounting, Supply Chain Management (sales, Purchases, inventory), Warehouse Management System, and SMART Accounting (tax accounting) across multiple legal entities.
Results
All core logistics and financial processes of the company were automated:
- Procurement planning (MRP) was implemented based on sales statistics and demand.
- Items receiving, customs clearance, and warehouse placement were automated.
- Location-managed warehouse operations were implemented using data collection terminals (HHD) and printing equipment.
- Sales for wholesale and retail clients were automated, including returns processing.
- Data exchange processes with distributor companies were integrated to handle orders.
- Integration with the existing online store and POS terminals was implemented.
- Financial and accounting processes were automated.
- Extended inventory management was conducted.
Project 3: Large-Scale Automation for a Group of Distribution Companies
Objective
- Implement a full-scale ERP system for financial management and supply chain processes across multiple legal entities.
- Automate processes in a series of distribution companies by developing a comprehensive solution that could be replicated by the client’s staff.
- Ensure integration with already implemented systems and use intercompany operations to automate internal transactions.
SMART business Solution
Full integration of processes was carried out within Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, including corporate financial accounting, Supply Chain Management (sales, purchases, inventory), WMS, and SMART Accounting across various legal entities.
Results
All key logistics and financial processes were automated:
- Procurement planning (MRP) was implemented based on sales statistics and demand.
- Deferred supply management and order fulfillment control were automated.
- Goods receipt and customs clearance were automated.
- Warehouse operations with location-mabaged storage were automated, including the use of handheld devices (HHD) and printing equipment.
- An extended pricing system was implemented, enabling automatic calculation of retail and transfer prices, taking into account cost, markups, and exchange rate differences.
- Sales processes for wholesale and retail clients were automated, including returns handling.
- Reservation and distribution of goods under limited stock conditions were automated.
- Data exchange with internal and external dealers was integrated.
- Financial accounting and bookkeeping processes were automated.
- Intercompany processes were automated, including intercompany procurement, sales, and returns.
- A dealer portal was additionally developed, enabling dealers to operate within a unified corporate environment.
As a result, the corporation was provided with a comprehensive ERP solution, which standardized financial and logistics processes, ensured transparency and management efficiency, and enabled sustainable development across the entire group of companies.
Cardboard and Paper Manufacturer: Comprehensive Replacement of Legacy Systems
Context
One of the largest full-cycle cardboard and paper manufacturers in Eastern Europe relied on a large number of outdated and non-integrated systems. Such an IT infrastructure complicated effective management of production, inventory, and finances, created barriers to growth, and constrained the company’s development.
Objective
All fragmented solutions needed to be replaced with a modern, comprehensive, and reliable ERP system that would cover all key business processes, ensure data accuracy, and integrate with production systems.
SMART business Solution
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 was implemented by the SMART business team across three production units of the enterprise. The project encompassed corporate financial and tax accounting, purchasing, sales, inventory management, production management, cost accounting, and integration with two MES systems (Manufacturing Execution Systems).
Results
All business processes within the project scope were configured, tested, and put into operation.
Global Pharmaceutical Company: Localization and Integration with D365FO Apps
Context
A leading global pharmaceutical solutions company was undertaking a large-scale implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Applications. The organizational structure included 50+ legal entities, which complicated process management and required compliance with local regulations in different countries.
Objective
The company required the implementation of SMART Accounting, fully integrated into the corporate ERP system. The goal was to ensure compliance with local legal requirements, integrate with national banking systems, and account for language-specific features. An additional challenge was working during the third wave of system GO-LIVE, simultaneously supporting countries where the system was already operational and preparing others for rollout.
SMART business Solution
The SMART Accounting solution was implemented, integrated with the corporate D365FO environment. The project team, composed of global and local participants, coordinated processes across different time zones, ensuring consistency and continuity of operations.
Results
All functions, reports, documents, and integrations included in the project scope were configured, tested, and successfully launched into operation.
All of these cases demonstrate how companies of different industries and sizes transform key business processes using the leading ERP system Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Applications. Tangible results achieved by our clients show that investments in digital transformation with SMART business ensure sustainable growth, competitive advantages, and a foundation for the company’s future development.
