Microsoft snares multi-million dollar Dynamics contract

Posted October 2, 2012

Hastings Deering

Queensland and Northern Territory-based Hastings Deering, part of the Malaysian Sime Darby Group, has selected Microsoft’s Dynamics AX 2012 ERP solution in a multi-million dollar deal to deliver an end-to-end system across 10 countries.

Hastings Deering, one of the largest Caterpillar dealer networks in the world, made the decision to deploy the 10,000 user Microsoft business solution, as part of a wider transformation project to meet the demands of the mining and resources boom and support its future growth.

“The choice of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is part of a comprehensive strategic vision for our company, which sees Microsoft as a key partner for stability, trust and innovation. We counted on our Business Project Teams to find a unified solution that was innovative and easy for our employees to use. The solution needed to transform IT into a genuine asset for our company, as a way of managing equipment sale and rentals, parts sales, inventory and workshop services, as well as the specifics related to all of our lines of business.”

According to Hastings Deering CIO, John Birch, the company, in conjunction with its sister dealerships in Asia, is expecting substantial growth in the next 18 months in order to reach its goal of becoming a three billion dollar business, and plans to double its workforce within the next two to three years. Birch said the company’s previous core business system only covered 40 per cent of Hastings Deering processes and was supported by a number of additional applications, and as a result, it needed to determine how to scale and handle its growth. Birch said that with over 23 branches, 26 sub-branches and more than 4,000 employees, Hastings Deering was looking to adopt a unified and easy-to-use solution that could be adapted to the needs of the business.

Hastings Deering CIO, John Birch

“Our ERP system runs the processes that the entire company uses every day. It’s our life blood – we depend on it. Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 will empower our employees to be more productive while enabling us to derive the insights necessary to respond quickly in an ever-changing world of business.”

According to Thomas Gudman, Director of Dynamics, Microsoft Australia, the “performance, scalability, ease of maintenance and the wealth of functionality in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012,” led to it being selected over SAP after an extensive search by the company.

Thomas Gudman, Director of Dynamics, Microsoft Australia

“Central to this capability is Xapt Corporation, a specialist Dynamics partner who will provide Caterpillar specific Dynamics modules and heavy equipment domain knowledge. Microsoft’s Consulting Services Division will provide implementation services and partner with Hasting Deering as they take a phased approach in rolling out the new system, which is expected to be completed in the next 28 months and will support 10,000 users. This is a cornerstone win for Microsoft and Xapt in the Asia Pacific region. Dynamics AX 2012 will help Hasting Deering to simplify decision-making, be more agile and succeed in any environment,” Gudman said.

ERP, Hastings Deering, Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Thomas Gudman, Win

Eva Sachse

Eva is the owner of Sachse Consulting that assists ISVs and VARs accelerating sales of their software solutions. Eva is a business professional who brings more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing, distribution and IT industry, working as a Logistics consultant and manager, Product manager and Marketing manager. Working internationally is a natural part of her working day, either being on location or having calls with people all over the world. Eva’s main competencies are: • International experience working with Microsoft Dynamics, mainly Dynamics NAV. • Strong network with the Microsoft Dynamics ISVs and VARs. • Empowering channel partners to go vertical and collaborate/network with other partners to increase their efficiency/sales • Discovering untapped opportunities, business development and project management. In January 2011, she joined the TBK Consult worldwide network of management consultants supporting software companies with rapid globalization, and she was appointed manager of the TBK Microsoft Dynamics® Competency Center, specifically assisting Microsoft Dynamics ISVs and VARs. From 1999 - 2010, she worked as a Product manager at Navision (later acquired by Microsoft) and as a Marketing and Product manager at Microsoft Dynamics NAV. At Microsoft Eva was instrumental in developing the “Certified for Microsoft Dynamics” program. Solutions that are Certified for Microsoft Dynamics are tested and proven to meet Microsoft’s highest standards for partner solutions. From 1989 to 1999, she worked at various companies and held positions as logistics consultant, project manager and logistics manager. In 1994 and 1995 she lived in Hamburg, Germany, working as a sales consultant. Eva has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Economics, Logistics. From 2004-2005 she lived in Hamburg, Germany. Eva speaks Danish, English, German, Swedish and Norwegian.