Skip to content
MENU
    SELECT LANGUAGE SELECT COUNTRY

    THE REGATTA GROUP

    TRANSFORMING CRITICAL IT INFRASTRUCTURE

    The Regatta Group is a global group of outdoor and workwear clothing brands, comprising Regatta, Dare2b, Craghoppers, and Regatta Professional. The Group has over 2,500 employees across 16 countries, and offices and distribution centres worldwide. In recent years, it set out to level up its mission-critical IT infrastructure to match its status as an industry leader and elevate its business operations.

    SYSTEMS BUILT ON SYSTEMS

    A COMPLEX START

    Regatta embarked on its multi-million-pound digital transformation project with Nexer (formerly K3 / Sigma) five years ago. After investing in a new distribution centre and head office, the Regatta Group focused on enhancing its enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

    The business had operated with a legacy system that was developed and managed by a small group of colleagues. The historic system had gradually expanded, with new functionalities being built onto it to accommodate the business’s evolving needs. But as the Group continued to go from strength to strength, this patchwork system began to bring its own set of challenges.

    To meet rapidly evolving business demands, the internal experts who knew how to work the dated systems were required to deliver new solutions at pace. Often, this left little time to test them and implement new processes and training among teams. With so many components, there was a fear that change in one part of the system could cause another part to fall apart. This led to frustration within the teams whose work were impacted by it the most, such as finance.

    On top of these mounting concerns was uncertainty over the longevity of the legacy system’s capabilities. Only a select few colleagues could understand and manage the system they’d built. Personnel changes threatened to cause more problems and limit functionality in the long run.

    To prevent the esoteric system from stalling business operations and inhibiting growth, it quickly became clear to The Regatta Group that it needed to overhaul its IT operations. Implementing a system fit for the future of the thriving business was critical. With the Group operating on both a wholesale and direct-to-consumer basis, and change needed across 16 countries, this was set to be a complex undertaking.

    MICROSOFT DYNAMICS 365

    EMBEDDING AN INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM

    The Regatta Group commissioned Nexer (formerly K3 / Sigma) in 2019 to deliver an effective business solution. They would manage the analysis, build, testing, and project management stages of software implementation. It was the Group’s first time working with external consultants on a transformation project. The team was assured by Nexer’s global expertise and reputation.
     
    Nexer implemented a Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP, providing Regatta with a trusted, industry-standard solution that they could build upon and tailor to their unique business needs. The software delivered integrated ERP and CRM functionalities to help streamline and simplify Regatta’s processes. This included sales, customer service, marketing, finance, and operations. Nexer also introduced Microsoft Business Intelligence systems to facilitate cloud-to-cloud migration and align with Microsoft’s integrated software ecosystem.
     
    Working closely with in-house Regatta Group experts, Nexer supported their change management programme for the rollout. This included newsletters and model office workshops to engage the team and ensure a smooth transition. The new systems were gradually rolled out to brands across the Group. Craghoppers’ systems went live in June 2022, with Regatta and Dare2b following in June 2023, when the final stage of the implementation was complete.

    POST GO-LIVE SUPPORT WITH CARE365
    CONSULTING WITH CARE

    Following the initial implementation, Nexer provided post-live support to The Regatta Group. Amid the peak of the 2023’s retail ‘golden quarter’, the Group transitioned to Nexer’s Care365 service. This ensured they received seamless ongoing support and that they maximised the new systems to their full potential.
     
    Care365 takes a customised, people-first approach to delivering Microsoft Dynamics 365 post-live support, maintenance, and optimisation. It helped to meet evolving operational needs and leverage new features to generate business benefits. By accessing the service, The Regatta Group can raise queries for quick resolutions. Nexer also speaks directly to Microsoft, on the Group’s behalf, to handle more complex technical issues.

    Legacy systems that limit access to valuable business insights and inhibit growth are now a thing of the past for The Regatta Group. As a result of long-term collaboration with Nexer, the Group has successfully overhauled its IT ecosystem. Its operations are transformed to meet future demands.

    Chris Bulmer, Consultant Director (AI and Automation) and former Group IT Director at The Regatta Group, who oversaw the project, commented: “The Microsoft implementation project was a major milestone for The Regatta Group. Implementing Microsoft solutions has enabled us to consolidate our international operations, access more detailed reporting, and work smarter.
     
    We knew that Nexer had the expertise to execute the job, and working with the technical team in recent years has proven we made the right choice. It’s clear that the team genuinely care and is invested in our business – they know our operations inside out and clearly want the best for us.
     
    Through Care365, Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power BI will continue to work hard for the Group and empower its employees to work smarter. The group is now also exploring other functionalities as part of the integrated freedom it now enjoys through the Microsoft ecosystem.”

    ELEVATE YOUR RETAIL BUSINESS OPERATIONS WITH NEXER…

    CONTACT OUR UK team

    MARTIN bURDEN

    COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

    MORE CUSTOMER STORIES…