Case Study: Avanade implements Microsoft Dynamics AX in 11 ...

Standard ERPstreamlines businessoperationsTo optimize its businesspractices, Azelis rolls outMicrosoft Dynamics TM AX in11 countries

One platform across the boardAvanade initiated a pilot project inBelgium, which is also where Azelis’scentral IT organisation is located. “It wasthe most obvious approach,” Desmaelebelieves. “We are very familiar with theregional legal requirements here, andthe Avanade offices are located nearby.”Avanade successfully completed thepilot project within a four-monthtimeframe, after which Avanadecontinued to roll out Dynamics AX on acountry-by-country basis. This includedaccounting, finance, purchasing, sales,production, stock management andreporting.For Azelis, it was important to includethe Safety, Health, Environment &Quality Management (SHEQ) of itsproducts into the project scope. Fromthe very beginning, the new ERP systemalso had to provide the necessarysupport for the European REACHdirective (Registration, Evaluation,Authorisation & Restriction ofChemicals). During the first phase,Azelis minimized Dynamics AXcustomizations. “We just amended thesystem in order to comply with locallegal requirements,” says Jesinghaus.“We then tackled all issues standing inthe way of the business and integratedDynamics AX with the systems ofexternal parties, such as our logisticspartners.”The entire Azelis group uses onecentralised Microsoft Dynamics AXsystem that is hosted at the datacentrein Denmark, where the company alsohas its own IT development department.Azelis staff members from all overEurope can easily access the system viaCitrix ® , a technology that connectsemployees to the central application viaa local PC without having to install theclient software of Microsoft DynamicsAX.Swift implementationAdapting the system to meet local legalrequirements was the greatestchallenge. “Dynamics AX does notprovide standard support to manage thedifference in legislation that applies inthe various countries,” explainsDesmaele. “But, fortunately, Avanadehas a highly specialized knowledge ofthe local markets. This meant that,despite a number of customizations thatwere required from a legal standpoint,we were able to roll out the systemquite quickly in all countries.” After thepilot project in Belgium, other roll-outsfollowed in Spain, Italy and theNetherlands. In the Nordic countries andthe U.K., the Azelis companies werealready working with Dynamics AX.Desmaele notes: “We simply includedthe customizations that had alreadybeen developed in those regions as partof the roll-outs in the other countries.That way, we were able to make reallyfast progress.”A fast roll-out was crucial for Azelis. Thecompany wanted to have a uniformplatform in place as quickly as possibleand considering the scope of the project,Avanade’s role was, therefore, of greatimportance. Overall, 15 Avanadeconsultants were involved in the Azelisproject full-time, supported by severallocal AX experts. Together, theyhandled the conversion of the oldsystems and the required adjustments tomeet local legislation, as well as, solvingany local issues hindering the business,training users and supporting thevarious go-lives.To further streamline the newoperational business structure, Azeliswill be going through a BusinessProcess Reengineering phase in theupcoming months. “We have outlined ablueprint,” says Jesinghaus. “We arenow converting that blueprint into adetailed implementation whilesimultaneously documenting how ourstaff will have to use the system.”“[Avanade] has a highly specializedknowledge of the local markets. Thismeant that, despite a number ofcustomizations that were reqired from alegal standpoint, we were able to roll outthe system quite quickly in all countries.”— Mark DesmaeleBusiness & Data Processes Manager,Azelis©2011 Avanade Inc. All rights reserved.

Avanade will also provide thenecessary support during theintroduction of these new businessprocesses.Microsoft Dynamics CRM is beingimplemented as well. “That is also oneof the benefits of working withAvanade. If we would temporarily needadditional resources for our CRMimplementation, to accommodate peakmoments, for example, we know thatAvanade is able to help usimmediately.”A foundation for future growthBy implementing Microsoft DynamicsAX, Azelis now has an integrated,uniform IT platform across the entiregroup. “We are now all working withthe same system,” says Desmaele,“which enables us to cooperate muchbetter.” At the same time, there is alsofar more transparency in reporting.Previously, it required the consolidationof a large number of local Excelreports. Today, everything is generatedautomatically by the same system. Asa result, things get done a lot fasterand management information is muchmore accurate.In addition, Dynamics AX provides aplatform capable of supporting thefuture growth of Azelis. “We continue togrow,” says Jesinghaus. “The fact thatwe now have a standard environmentin place will enable us to absorb newlyacquired companies much morequickly into the company structure.”And, of course, using Dynamics AXhas also had a positive impact on thecost structure of the IT department.“We now have only one system tomaintain, instead of a dozen,” he adds.Additional fine-tuning of theimplemented system will be carried outuntil the end of 2011. In 2013, again incooperation with Avanade, Azelis isplanning to migrate to Dynamics AX2012.Results One integrated ERP platform foran enterprise group operating in26 countries, enabling greaterefficiency, better collaboration andlower costs. A solid foundation for furthergrowth: the uniform environmentwill enable Azelis to absorb futureacquisitions much more quicklyinto the group Easy integration with otherMicrosoft solutions, includingMicrosoft Dynamics CRM andMicrosoft Reporting Services.About AzelisAzelis is a leading pan-Europeanspeciality chemicals distributor. Theyprovide a diverse range of productsand innovative services to more than50,000 customers operating in variousindustries including chemicals,coatings, MPA (materials, pigmentsand additives), polymers, composites,rubber, food and health, pet food,pharmaceutical products and personalcare. Through a network of suppliersand distributors covering all importantmarkets, Azelis offers in-depth localknowledge, supported by value-addservices and tailored internationalsolutions. The corporate service centerof Azelis is located in Antwerp,Belgium. The company has a turnoverof €1.4 billion and employs a staff of1100 highly-skilled professionals.About AvanadeAvanade provides business technology services thatconnect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft ®technologies to help customers realize results. For moreinformation, visit www.avanade.com.©2011 Avanade Inc. All rights reserved. The Avanade nameand logo are registered trademarks in the US and othercountries.AmericasSeattlePhone +1 206 239 5600America@avanade.comEuropeLondonPhone +44 (0) 20 7025 1000Europe@avanade.comAsia-PacificSydneyPhone +612 9005 5900AsiaPac@avanade.comLatin AmericaSao PaoloPhone +55 (11) 5188 3000latinamerica@avanade.com