Somati FIE Secures Sustainable Growth with Dynamics 365 Business Central

Dynamics 365 Business Central

“Many of our processes were still set up as if we were working on paper,” Jellert adds. “That no longer reflected reality. We needed a reliable, scalable ERP system to further optimize our processes and support our continued growth.”

Rather than continuing to upgrade the legacy system, Somati FIE decided to transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central. “It was a logical choice,” says Jellert. “We were already familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem and saw this primarily as an opportunity to take a critical look at our processes and simplify them wherever possible.”

Close to standard

Staying close to the standard was a key requirement. “We deliberately limited customization so we can easily upgrade our system in the future,” Jellert explains.

The service module forms the beating heart of the system. “Service accounts for around 90% of our business. This module is where we create and process all service orders. If any customization was required, it was here: to better structure contracts, generate forecasts, and seamlessly pass information on to technicians in the field.”

In addition, Somati FIE primarily works with the standard finance and sales modules. “We use the sales module when only materials need to be delivered, without any associated service.”

Mutual trust

“That trust goes both ways,” confirms Lieven Tuytschaever, Account Manager at Cegeka. “We have known Somati FIE for many years and know that they approach challenges with flexibility and a constructive mindset. They always bring the right level of nuance to complex situations. That gives us the space to proactively propose optimizations and make adjustments where needed.

Phased Go-Live

The implementation ultimately took approximately two and a half years, mainly due to internal availability and a scope that continued to evolve along the way. “The regular meetings with Cegeka were extremely valuable in maintaining oversight,” says Jellert. “What I also really appreciated was the open and transparent communication about budget and timelines.”

Rather than opting for a single, large go-live, Somati FIE chose a phased approach with multiple ‘mini go-lives.’ “You can’t switch and train all technicians at the same time,” Jellert explains. “By working step by step, the transition remained manageable.”
Somati FIE was fully live in spring 2024, right on time to support the strong growth anticipated for the following year.

A Stable Foundation for Future Growth

Jellert looks back on the project with satisfaction. “With Business Central, we now have a solid foundation to build on. Our processes are much clearer, and we can rely on a future-proof system that grows with our organization.”

The collaboration with Cegeka continues. “We are discussing the setup of a data warehouse connected to Business Central. In addition, we plan to hold a workshop to identify where AI and automation can help us further optimize our processes. Undoubtedly, the coming years will be very exciting.”