MOODY DIRECT
ELIMINATING RISK THROUGH MIGRATION FROM MICROSOFT AX TO DYNAMICS 365
Moody Direct Limited, a company with roots dating back to 1975, specialises in process engineering within the hygienic liquids industry, primarily serving the dairy, food, and beverage sectors. The company, until a recent sale to Axflow Ltd, was co-owned by David Tomlinson, FCCA, and Ken Wild, with turnover having grown to approximately £22 million with around 90 employees. Moody Direct represents original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Alfa Laval, GEA, Tetra Pak, and SPX Flow, distributing spares and components, and providing service contracts and project engineering solutions.
THE CHALLENGE…
MANAGING OPERATIONAL CHAnge
Moody Direct faced several challenges with their existing IT infrastructure:
Aging Servers: The servers were outdated, and Microsoft no longer supported the version of SQL the database was written for. The hardware issues were compounded by the inability to replace parts, leading to a precarious situation where the system could fail at any moment and eliminating risk was a priority.
Disjointed IT Systems: The company’s IT systems, including CRM and reporting, were not interconnected, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of cohesive data management.
E-commerce Integration: The plan to implement an e-commerce solution was hindered by licensing issues, making it astronomically expensive and leading to the abandonment of the initial plan.
Legacy Systems: The company relied on a legacy system developed by a former employee, which was outdated and not well understood by current staff.
THE SOLUTION…
A FULL UPGRADE
To address these issues, Moody Direct embarked on a comprehensive upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365), with the assistance of Nexer and a specialist external consultant.
The solution involved several key steps:
Data Migration: Nexer tested and successfully migrated data from the old AX 2012 system to D365, ensuring that historical data dating back to January 2015 was preserved.
Service and Support: Nexer would provide ongoing support and service contracts to ensure the smooth operation of the new system.
Project Management: The project was managed with a focus on minimising disruption to business operations, with the go-live date strategically planned over the Easter weekend to leverage the four-day break.
THE RESULTS…
NOTABLE BENEFITS
The implementation of D365 brought several significant benefits to Moody Direct:
Improved Reliability: The new system prioritised eliminating risk associated with the aging servers and unsupported software, providing a more stable and reliable IT infrastructure.
Enhanced Integration: The integrated IT system improved data management and reporting, leading to more efficient business processes.
Remote Access: Employees could now access the system remotely, providing greater flexibility and ensuring business continuity.
Cost Considerations: While the upgrade involved significant costs, including licensing fees, it was a necessary investment to ensure the long-term viability of the company’s IT infrastructure.
Ongoing Challenges: Despite the overall success, there were some ongoing challenges, particularly with the e-commerce portal, which had not yet been fully resolved.
The upgrade to D365 was a critical step for Moody Direct, addressing several pressing issues with their IT infrastructure and positioning the company for future growth. The project highlighted the importance of strategic planning, effective project management, and the need for ongoing support to navigate the complexities of modern IT systems.