Masscash: ERP Solution Case Study
South African mega-distributor Massmart is the third largest distributor of consumer goods in Africa. Their food wholesale division, Masscash, discovered Microsoft Dynamics™ GP to be just the robust ERP solution they needed to handle their rapidly expanding operations. Although a value-for-money alternative, the product never compromised on customisation or scalability.
High Growth requires Best-in-Class ERP Solution
As Masscash extended outwards and into Africa, it required a centralised infrastructure that would standardise processes across all operations. Streamlining, cost containment and control had became paramount, and Masscash needed to automate business critical operations and employ overall business process improvements to manage their expansion without unnecessary expenditure.
The company’s Business Systems and Process Director, Mike Marshall, was very clear about what the company was looking for: “We had three critical requirements. First, the solution had to be robust. We handle R300m worth of transactions a month so we needed a real workhorse to cope with this kind of volume.
“Second, we needed something that could be scaled and adapted to fit with our unique business model. And finally, we needed an affordable solution that would remain viable over a long term.”
Complete Back-End Integration without affecting Trading
A phased approach managed by Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Parity Software saw a series of carefully planned implementations and upgrades from 2003 to 2007.
In 2004, Massmart acquired Trident, which operated in a number of southern African countries. This created the need for multicurrency capabilities, which was effortlessly provided by Microsoft Dynamics™ GP.
Real momentum was gained from 2005 onwards, when Microsoft Dynamics™ GP became the heart of Masscash’s ERP solution.
The last phase of the implementation saw the final division of Masscash, Jumbo Cash and Carry, migrate to Microsoft Dynamics™ GP 9.0. This extremely smooth implementation saw the entire Masscash group now on a single ERP solution and on the most up-to-date version available.
Platform for Growth:
“Although we are not quite ready to use a number of the features offered, Microsoft Dynamics’ ability to integrate with other systems in the future offers great peace-of-mind,” says Marshall. “And the benefit of a Microsoft-based user interface is an added bonus, making the transfer of skills from one division to another a smooth process as they become more fully integrated.
“We are proud to be committed to a product with a big future.”
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“Microsoft Dynamics™ GP was a great fit for us. I was impressed with its big system methodology, and it was as robust as you could find.
“It integrated completely with our back end without disturbing our trading.”
Mike Marshall, Business Systems & Process Director, Masscash
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“Microsoft Dynamics™ GP’s ability to be customised is phenomenal. Parity Software implemented a number of customised codes to attend to our unique business needs flawlessly.”
Other Microsoft Products
· Microsoft® SQL Server 2005
· Microsoft® Office 2000/2007
· Microsoft® Exchange 2003
About Microsoft Dynamics™
Microsoft Dynamics™ is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply chain management solutions that help businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialised services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.
For more information visit www.microsoft.com/southafrica/dynamics
About Parity Software
Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, Parity Software is a professional consulting organisation, specialising in the implementation, integration and support services of Microsoft Business Solutions. Its accounting modules are currently used by more than 1 000 organisations worldwide and are supported through a number of consulting partners located in more than 38 countries.
As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Parity offers the highest level of competence and expertise with Microsoft’s various technologies for the benefit of their customers.
Parity Software has received a number of awards recognising their high level of service excellence and customer commitment, including MBS Great Plains Solution Developer of the Year for 1999 through to 2004. They were also nominated for the 2005 Citation of Excellence Competency Award for Microsoft Business Solutions.
For more information visit www.parity.co.za
(MASSMART LOGO)
+27 (0) 11 517 0000
www.massmart.co.za
(PARITY SOFTWARE LOGO)
+27 (0) 11 728 2999
www.parity.co.za
