CTI Migrates from Dynamics GP to Business Central to Unify Their Microsoft Technology Stack
Quick Summary
By migrating from Great Plains (GP) to Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC), CTI has significantly modernized its operations, particularly integrating their warehouse inventory management and financial processes. The integration of BC with their existing Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE (CRM) solutions, including Dynamics 365 Sales and Field Service, has streamlined their data entry, improved cross-compatibility, reduced manual work, enhancing efficiency. TMC delivered the GP to BC migration within the expected timeframe and under budget, providing strong support and quickly resolving issues, which contributed to a smooth transition and successful implementation.
CTI’s Challenges on Dynamics GP
CTI faced several significant challenges that prompted their decision to move to Business Central (BC). Their fast-growing company, involving two separate legal entities with many branches, required seamless integration between their CRM and ERP systems. With Dynamics GP being an on-premises solution and Dynamics 365 CE (CRM) being cloud-based, achieving a unified view of their operations was difficult. They needed a fully functional warehouse system to manage everything from a scanner and required a scalable system to support their rapid business growth. Additionally, they aimed to replace their existing Key2Act for Job Cost and GP system with a single, integrated solution
CTI’s ERP Selection Process
A Focus on The Microsoft Stack
CTI’s preference for Microsoft products was driven by the desire for seamless integration and cross-compatibility with their existing Microsoft solutions, including Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 Sales and Field Service. These tools are used for all their quoting processes and pre-sales and post-sales activities management including equipment, services, and customers. This preference was a key factor in their decision to avoid alternatives like NetSuite, which wouldn’t have provided the same level of integration with other Microsoft products. In addition, since they had many customizations on Dynamics 365 CRM, they wanted to leverage the cross-compatible functionalities. When comparing systems to Business Central (BC), CTI evaluated several options, including NetSuite, Solutions 360, and Acumatica.
GP was an aging platform that wasn’t getting upgraded, so we knew it was time to move on. Ultimately, the decision came down to Business Central and Acumatica. We really liked many aspects of Acumatica, but there were some elements that didn’t quite meet our needs. Additionally, the fact that Acumatica wasn’t a standard Microsoft solution influenced our decision. We wanted to maintain consistency with our existing Microsoft-based technology stack.
Microsoft Solutions Partner Selection Process
After deciding on Business Central, CTI selected three vendors and went through a thorough evaluation process to ensure they made the best choice for their company. Dan explained why CTI chose TMC as their vendor:
“We chose to partner with TMC because of their extensive expertise during the Business Process Review. The team’s knowledge spanned from the detailed aspects of our accounting needs to the complexities of our warehouse operation – they handled everything effortlessly. Unlike other vendors who offered more out-of-the-box solutions, TMC was willing to listen to our specific requirements and work with our highly customized solutions in both CRM and Business Central.”
Dan B. | CFO at CTI
Customization and Efficiency
TMC’s approach to automation and efficiency ensured that CTI’s complex processes were streamlined, and unnecessary steps were eliminated. Compared to other providers, who seemed to fit clients into predefined slots, TMC focused on understanding and expanding existing customizations to support CTI’s growth.
Your team’s ability to deliver tailored solutions and commitment to our unique needs made us confident in choosing you as our partner. We are very happy with the results, as we were able to achieve good financials after four months, and our business operations are running smoothly.
One-Stop Shop Convenience
For a while, CTI managed their GP system and most of the CRM developments on their own, even though they had a Microsoft Partner. Diann explained that their former partner lacked the necessary resources and people to help them move forward with their projects.
We wanted a single partner to reach out to whenever we had a problem. This way, we could avoid the back-and-forth of ‘Oh, it’s not the CRM side, it’s the BC side,’ and vice versa. Having a one-stop shop has been very convenient for us, even though you have two separate teams. The fact that they’re all in the same help desk portal has made a big difference.
TMC’s Approach
Before partnering with TMC, CTI had already done a fair amount of research and had several ISV partners working on their implementation, including solutions for sales tax, the warehouse, and credit card processing. While they had some vendors in mind, TMC’s expertise and comprehensive knowledge about ISV solutions helped them vet the vendors that fit their business requirements.
| Solutions | Description | Reason for Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central | Upgraded from Dynamics GP to a modern cloud-based ERP system | To modernize the ERP system and integrate with existing Microsoft products. |
| Full Process Flow Integration | Comprehensive integration between Dynamics 365 CRM and Business Central. | To ensure seamless data flow and efficient operations across different business lines. |
| ProjectPro for Project Management | Tool for managing complex projects, including CTI’s live events business line. | To handle the complexities of CTI’s projects and provide specialized functionalities. |
| Custom Solutions | Developed custom solutions for production order process and warehouse management system. | To address CTI’s unique business needs and improve operational efficiency. |
| Insight Works Product Suite | Tools for warehouse scanning and management. | To enhance warehouse management and streamline operations. |
| Automated Data Integration | Custom integrations for automated data entry and updates. | To improve data accuracy and reduce manual data entry. |
| Power Automate | Used for enhancing automation and efficiency across various processes. | To automate repetitive tasks and improve overall efficiency. |
| Avalara | Seamless tax compliance automation with Avalara AvaTax. | To automate sales and use tax calculations for transactions, invoices, and other activities. |
| Databasics | Comprehensive time and expense management solutions. | To integrate smoothly with Business Central and enhance time and expense tracking. |
| Nodus | Secure and efficient payment processing solutions. | To enhance financial operations and streamline payment processing. |
“Throughout the implementation, the whole team was always there whenever we needed them. There were things we missed, but with so many people on their team looking at it all day long, they were able to find hiccups and easily resolved them in those early stages, which was really great.”
Diann W. | Corporate Accounting at CTI
CTI’s Favorite Features of Business Central
Modern Platform
Allows for more efficient processes like copying, pasting, and importing data.
Microsoft Platform Integration
Provides data access and communication across all Microsoft products and third-party integrations, including an already integrated CRM, enhancing overall efficiency and ensuring seamless operations.
Service Agreements Implementation
Facilitates the implementation of service agreements across Business Central and CRM, enabling accurate revenue recognition through actual shipments, streamlining operations.
CTI’s Ongoing Success and Future Plans
Since partnering with TMC, CTI has not only successfully integrated their CRM and ERP systems but also added Dynamics 365 Marketing features to their CRM system, which has proven invaluable. Diann Wiles expressed her satisfaction, noting that the implementation process for Business Central exceeded CTI’s expectations, taking less than half the anticipated time.
Even though CTI has been live on Business Central for several months now, the collaboration with TMC continues. They have several projects lined up, including enhancements and additional CRM integrations. Phase two includes implementing a Rental Equipment Management product within Business Central to manage their Live Events and much more.
About CTI
CTI is an audio-visual company that offers a wide range of services. They cater to various settings, from bars with TVs and audio systems to boardrooms, which are their primary clientele. CTI’s expertise extends to large venues like basketball arenas with giant video boards, conferences, and mega churches with extensive audio-visual setups.
Over the past five years, CTI has experienced significant growth, doubling in size despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. They currently have around 1,040 employees, up from less than 500 five years ago. The company typically doubles in size every three to five years. CTI operates 38 locations across the United States, having expanded from a more centralized presence to a nationwide reach.
CTI’s business operations are diverse and comprehensive, encompassing everything from design and installation to maintenance and support. Their commitment to delivering high-quality audio-visual solutions has made them a trusted partner for a wide range of clients, from small businesses to large enterprises.
Products and Services
1,001 – 5,000 employees
Industry
AV and IT services
Country
United States
Microsoft Solutions Partner
TMC | Contact us
