ERP & Business Systems Case Study
Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP Selection & Implementation
A phased ERP transformation engagement that moved finance operations away from heavily manual Excel-based processes and introduced Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management.
Project Overview
The organization required a more centralized and sustainable system for finance and related operational processes. Existing workflows relied heavily on manually maintained Excel spreadsheets. The ERP initiative evaluated alternative solutions and implementation partners before Microsoft Dynamics 365 was selected for a phased implementation.
Business Context
Finance processes relied significantly on Excel-based workflows, creating a need for a centralized ERP environment. The broader program scope included Finance, Supply Chain, and Human Resources. Finance was prioritized for initial implementation, and the project used a phased migration approach. During my involvement, the active implementation scope included Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. The later status of the Human Resources workstream is outside the scope of this case study.
Evaluation and Selection
Several ERP solutions and potential implementation partners were considered before selecting Microsoft Dynamics 365. The evaluation process involved business requirement discussions, solution demonstrations, partner meetings, and comparisons of implementation approaches.
- Participated in business requirement discussions
- Attended product and implementation partner demonstrations
- Contributed to comparisons of ERP alternatives
- Supported evaluation of potential implementation partners
- Contributed to the Microsoft Dynamics 365 selection decision
My Role and Responsibilities
The implementation was coordinated closely with the Head of IT. The role focused on connecting business users, IT leadership, and the external implementation partner through selection, migration, implementation, go-live, and support stages.
- Coordinated communication with external vendors and implementation partners
- Supported communication between IT and business teams
- Helped translate finance requirements and operational questions between stakeholders
- Participated in implementation and migration coordination
- Followed up on issues, questions, and implementation activities
- Explained system usage to finance users
- Supported users during go-live
- Provided post-go-live assistance and issue coordination
Implementation Lifecycle
Business needs and existing Excel-based processes
→ ERP alternative and partner evaluation
→ Microsoft Dynamics 365 selection
→ Requirements and implementation planning
→ System configuration and phased migration
→ Testing and user preparation
→ Go-live
→ Post-go-live support
The implementation used a phased approach, with finance prioritized before broader scope advancement.
Stakeholder and Partner Coordination
The project required ongoing coordination between internal business users, IT leadership, and an external implementation partner. Communication focused on requirements, implementation progress, migration-related questions, user understanding, issue follow-up, and preparation for operational use.
- Meeting and demonstration participation
- Requirement communication
- Partner and stakeholder follow-up
- Issue and question coordination
- User communication and guidance
- Go-live readiness support
- Post-implementation assistance
Migration and Testing
The migration process was completed in phases. Contributions focused on coordination between relevant business users, IT leadership, and the implementation partner during migration and testing activities.
- Supported coordination of migration activities
- Followed up on business questions and data-related issues
- Helped communicate implementation requirements and feedback
- Supported testing and user preparation
- Assisted with issues identified during implementation and go-live
User Enablement and Support
- Explained relevant system usage to finance users
- Supported users during the transition from previous processes
- Helped coordinate answers to functional and technical questions
- Followed up on implementation issues
- Provided post-go-live user assistance
Solution Scope
Implemented During My Involvement
Business Areas
Implementation Activities
Professional Competencies
Professional Contribution
The project combined ERP selection, stakeholder coordination, business and IT communication, phased migration, user enablement, and post-go-live support. Contributions focused on helping relevant teams and the implementation partner maintain clear communication throughout the transition from manual processes to Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Project Status and Confidentiality
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management progressed through implementation, go-live, and post-go-live support during my involvement. Internal documentation, system configuration, migration data, vendor materials, screenshots, and implementation records are not included because they contain confidential organizational and business information.