Upgrading your ERP system is a big decision. Even with the right software, things can still go sideways if the team behind it doesn’t understand your industry. That’s exactly what happened to a $30 million wine and spirits distributor.
They chose Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, which is a solid platform. But they partnered with a team that didn’t have experience in the wine industry. That decision led to problems from the very start.
The sales process slowed to a crawl. Customizations clashed with each other. Mobile ordering required unnecessary manual approvals. Reports were scattered across different dashboards. Sales reps were frustrated. Leadership felt like they were spending more time fixing software issues than growing the business. One manager even said, “I feel more like a software developer than a business leader.”
What Changed with Western Computer
Everything turned around when they brought in Western Computer and switched to , a version of Business Central built specifically for wine and spirits distributors.
With 365WineTrade, sales reps could enter orders on mobile devices using real-time inventory and customer pricing. Warehouse operations got faster and more accurate thanks to better bin management. Reporting became clean and consistent using Power BI. And most importantly, industry-specific functions like billbacks and depletion allowances were built right in, no customization required.
The Outcome
After the switch, sales reps spent less time fighting the system and more time selling. Managers had clear visibility into sales performance and profitability. Leadership could finally focus on growth instead of system headaches. Best of all, they joined a growing community of distributors using 365WineTrade who meet regularly to share ideas and shape future improvements.
Advice from the Field
If your wine and spirits business is considering a new ERP solution, here are three lessons from this story:
- Work with a partner who knows your industry. Don’t settle for generalists.
- Skip the heavy customization. Choose a system that fits your business out of the box.
- Think ahead. Make sure your ERP can grow with you.
See What’s Possible with 365WineTrade
Western Computer has helped dozens of wine and spirits distributors get the ERP solution they need to thrive.
- Book a personalized demo:
- Learn more about 365WineTrade:
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