Member Article

AAF Partners with HSO for ERP Overhaul

Leading Microsoft Enterprise Resource Planning partner and inner circle member HSO has signed an agreement with American Air Filter Ltd (AAF), a leading supplier of air filtration solutions across the globe, to replace the company’s legacy ERP system with Microsoft Dynamics AX.

After a review of an initial 97 ERP systems and a shortlist of 17 which included all the major players, HSO Enterprise Solutions Limited have been selected to implement a company wide ERP project based on Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and Adeaca Advanced Projects. The review included a competitive pitch process spanning the operational breadth of the business, tested and scored against a predefined demonstration script covering all core technical requirements as well the capabilities of solution partners to deliver.

AAF Ltd had been looking to replace their aging bespoke solution and started selection process in earnest two years ago with the objective of decreasing risks associated with the out of date technology, whilst increasing business efficiency. The company, which operates heavily in the Power Generation and Oil and Gas industries, wanted to replace their existing system with an ‘off-the-shelf’ solution in response to incremental growth, increasing customer demands and a growing need to be more agile across their business, combined with upward labour cost pressure on margins because of increasing Oil & Gas investment in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS).

“The growth of our business has now stretched the capabilities of our current systems” explained Robert Carling, AAF Ltd General Manager. “HSO was selected because the company was able to demonstrate clear fulfilment of functional requirements, an ability to integrate the system with existing Microsoft solutions such as Office and SharePoint, and a strong, long standing relationship with Microsoft.”

“HSO came in and delivered a very professional and knowledgeable demonstration. They seemed to understand our business from the outset and gave confidence that they would deliver AAF Ltd a powerful solution whilst minimising the risks involved. As discussions continued throughout the bid stage, it was clear that they were well placed to deliver the initial implementation and also provide a longer term relationship going forward.” commented Nick Carr, AAF Ltd Project Manager, ERP Implementation.

Carr continues; “Ten years ago when we first took a look at ERP alternatives, we had originally decided to progress with an alternative system. This time round we included Microsoft Dynamics AX in the mix and came to understand the close functional fit and capabilities that Microsoft Dynamics AX provides right out of the box; Engineer to Order support for tight project manufacturing control and scheduling; excellent production capability for our made to order components, procurement, our warehouse and inventory management, our financial ledger, our logistics and ability to manage resources—everything. With Dynamics AX we gain the functionality needed to develop a secure and future proofed platform for growth.”

The benefits of the moving to Microsoft Dynamics AX will be felt clearly across the entire business as AAF Ltd Financial Controller Martin Townsend explains; “There is a lot of flexibility, the project financials screen can be tailored to suit the reporting information required to manage our business effectively.”

Gaining business buy-in across the board by demonstrating superior knowledge of Dynamics AX and an understanding of AAF Ltd’s unique business challenges was key to HSO being awarded the contract. “We will now look to Microsoft and their Dynamics product to help us achieve our own aggressive growth targets,” added Robert Carling, AAF Ltd General Manager.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by HSO .