Case Study
Microsoft Business Central
Reimplementation
How An Ireland-based Saddlery Business Reinvented Its Retail and Warehouse
Operations with Dynamics Square
A Quiet Revolution from the Far North of Ireland
Deep in the rugged northern stretch of Ireland, near the sea where few technology firms venture, a forward-looking saddlery brand was quietly grappling with growing operational pain points.
The brand, a respected name among equestrian circles and local farming communities, was ready for a change. What followed was far from a regular ERP project. It became a full-fledged transformation, marked by trust, on-ground commitment, and a strategic vision for smarter retail and warehouse operations.
Client Overview
The business is a prominent equestrian retail brand based in Northern Ireland. Known for premium riding gear, equine products, and farming supplies, the company serves both walk-in customers and online shoppers. Their retail store caters largely to local farmers, while a technologically advanced warehouse behind the store powers operations using robotics. They also sell products through their website, Amazon, and eBay.
At its core, the business blends traditional retail with advanced warehouse robotics. However, behind this promising setup, lay systems that were underperforming, loosely connected, and difficult to maintain.
What are The
Business Challenges
Although the company had already adopted Microsoft Dynamics Navision and warehouse robotics from Hikrobot (a recognised Chinese automation brand), several operational challenges lingered:
- Robotics were running in isolation, with little to no direct integration with Navision.
- A custom middleware was in place to bridge ERP and warehouse systems, but stability and support were recurring issues.
- The ePOS system at the retail counter had limited support, placing heavy reliance on a third-party developer.
- Decision-makers were hesitant to overhaul the setup due to previous implementation complexities and lack of reliable partners.
- Reporting capabilities were fragmented and manual, leading to delays in inventory tracking and sales analysis.
- These gaps had started to impact their agility and risked their ability to manage peak seasons effectively.
What the Business Needed
The company did not need another quick patch or plugin. They needed a comprehensive yet controlled digital transformation that could address the following:
Streamlined integration between their warehouse robotics and ERP
Reliable data flow across retail, warehouse, website, and marketplaces
A future-ready ERP that could grow with the business
In-person support from a partner who would not disappear after go-live
A clear pricing model to avoid financial surprises mid-project
They needed someone who could travel the distance, both literally and technically, to build something solid and sustainable.
Business Objectives
From the outset, the company outlined specific business goals:
Deploy a unified ERP system with integrated warehouse and retail capabilities
Ensure seamless goods-in and goods-out workflows powered by robotic movements
Replace fragmented systems with centralised, reliable solutions
Automate report generation for daily sales by category, vendor, and posting group
Deliver improved inventory visibility across all sales channels
Achieve go-live before September to support the seasonal business rush
Solutions Proposed by
Dynamics Square
Dynamics Square approached the project with care, clarity, and a deep understanding of retail and warehouse synergy. Based on a detailed onsite discovery visit, the following solutions were proposed:
Reimplementation on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
A full-scale implementation of Business Central to replace their existing Navision setup. Tailored configuration to support saddlery-specific inventory, vendor management, and multi-channel sales tracking.
Tasklet Mobile WMS
Warehouse mobility enabled for goods-in processes including receiving, bin placement, and stock movement. Improved picking accuracy and speed through barcode scanning and real-time updates.
Robotics Coordination for Goods-Out
Warehouse robots to manage goods-out movement based on rack availability and dispatch instructions. Clear demarcation between human-managed goods-in and automated goods-out functions.
Continia Document Capture
Automated capture and processing of vendor documents and purchase orders. Reduced manual entry and processing delays, improving vendor response times.
Website and Marketplace Middleware Integration
Existing middleware connected Business Central with website, Amazon, eBay, and ePOS systems. Dynamics Square ensured smooth data flow and process orchestration across all touchpoints.
Reporting Automation
Enabled category-wise, vendor-wise, and posting group-based daily sales reports. Reduced manual data handling and errors through automated report scheduling.
Support Model with Onsite Access
A 50-hour prepaid support package was offered at a fixed rate to handle report building, development, and training. Assurance of onsite support and direct access to UK-based consultants throughout the project life cycle.
Results and Impact: What This Transformation Means
Speaking of the impact of this digital transformation, some of the early shifts and projected results include:
Stronger Retail Operations
Retail counter transactions, inventory tracking, and vendor coordination expected to become faster and error-free.
Digitally Synchronized Warehouse
A hybrid warehouse model that blends robotic automation with mobile warehouse management, improving picking and dispatch accuracy.
Decreased Dependency on External Developers
With core processes handled by Business Central, the business moved away from fragile middleware dependencies.
Reliable Reports, Faster Decisions
Daily insights across categories and vendors equipped managers with better control over stock, pricing, and promotions.
Improved Vendor Management
Automated purchase order processes and document handling improved vendor relationships and reduced delays.
End-to-End Visibility
All sales channels, inventory points, and warehouse movements connected in one central system.
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Schedule a DemoWhy This Case Matters
This was never just about another ERP implementation. For Dynamics Square, this project was a statement. It reflected a willingness to step out of comfort zones and build deep trust in a region often overlooked by service providers. It proved that a Microsoft partner could reach the farthest corners of the Irish market, listen carefully, and then deliver solutions that matter.
The company is now on the brink of a powerful transformation. It was a project won with empathy, delivered with focus, and set to redefine what small and medium retailers in complex domains like saddlery can achieve with the right technology partner by their side.
Let this story remind others: sometimes, the greatest shifts happen quietly, far from the spotlight, in places where real commitment still matters.
