Simply Dynamics improves financial management for Ireland’s largest bacon producer

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Niall Naughton
  • ERP solution from Simply Dynamics enabling 50% time reduction to run financial reports for Oliver Carty
  • 40% reduction in time to complete cheque run process for finance department
  • Robust EDI inbound and outbound message management

Dublin, 26th February 2013 – Simply Dynamics, a leading provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, today announced that it has implemented an ERP solution for Irish pork, bacon and rasher producer Oliver Carty. The new solution is supporting the company’s on-going expansion and providing them with greater visibility and management of key financial functions.

The Simply Dynamics engagement with Oliver Carty has a contract to the value of €80,000.

Simply Dynamics improves financial management for Ireland’s largest bacon producer

Pictured: Ted Carty, Oliver Carty Managing Director & Willie Fitzgerarld Simply Dynamics Sales Manager

Oliver Carty is a family run Irish business located in Athlone and is one of Ireland’s largest producers of bacon. It currently has 140 employees which increases substantially at different times of the year to meet seasonal demand and has a turnover of €45 million. Oliver Carty supplies a range of branded and own brand pork, bacon and rasher products to Ireland’s key retailers. 

Oliver Carty operated an amalgamation of four different software systems, namely financial, intake, production, and dispatch. The interaction between the four systems was minimal, causing serious delays with the availability of real-time information and reporting bottlenecks.

After a full analysis of the existing software, Oliver Carty decided to replace their entire system with two fully integrated software solutions that could manage all of the
financial and factory floor production processes from door-to-door.

Simply Dynamics was chosen for its Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP solution.  Microsoft Dynamics NAV is providing the finance department with immediate access to information such as order history, credit management, order status, and claims processing.

Oliver Carty has achieved some significant benefits as a result of the new solution including a 50% reduction in the time taken to run financial reports and a 40% reduction in the time to complete the cheque run process. 

The Microsoft Dynamics Nav system delivered by Simply Dynamics integrates fully with Oliver Carty’s production management software, which was provided by Emydex Technology.  The combination of the Simply Dynamics and Emydex systems enables communication and synchronisation of both master and transactional data from all departments within the organisation to Microsoft Dynamics Nav. This fully integrated solution can now be applied to any future Emydex and Simply Dynamics implementations.

Nicole Verdon, financial controller, Oliver Carty said, “The integration between Simply Dynamics and Emydex provides us with instant visibility and traceability across the entire organisation. The Simply Dynamics solution has also streamlined all our processes and we now have real-time access to our key performance indicators such as yield, pricing and invoicing data for the company.”

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is also enabling Oliver Carty to manage multiple sales order processes including Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) which is essential in the food distribution industry for communication with its retail customers.  It also has the ability to account for catch weights, enabling Oliver Carty to manage products priced by weight but whose weight varies.

Ted Carty, managing director, Oliver Carty commented, “We operate in a market where the price of raw materials are constantly changing so we need to have the most accurate information at any given time. Simply Dynamics has provided us with highly integrated, real-time information at our fingertips, enabling us to make fast and smart business decisions.”

Willie Fitzgerald, Sales Manager, Simply Dynamics said, “Microsoft Dynamics NAV has given Oliver Carty the ability to simplify access to business critical financial information and enhance its control and visibility over an expanding business. As the company continues to grow Microsoft Dynamics NAV has the flexibility to change and grow with them and meet the unique needs of a company operating in the food distribution industry.”

Oliver Carty plans to extend its Microsoft Dynamics NAV solution to incorporate other areas of the business such as inventory and warehousing over the coming months.

 -Ends-

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Irish food firms global ‘leaders’ for traceability

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Niall Naughton

Irish Examiner – Monday, February 18, 2013 – By Joe Dermody

USE of advanced traceability systems in the agri-food processing chain has helped underpin Ireland’s global reputation for food excellence, says one expert in this technology field.

Food Traceability, ERP Systems, Traceability, Irish Examiner

Irish food firms global ‘leaders’ for traceability

Gerard Foskin, chief executive of business solutions firm Simply Dynamics, says Irish food companies are leaders both within the EU and globally when it comes to traceability.

Among other services, Simply Dynamics has a (off the) shelf-integration software package to manage and report on factory floor production, which it delivers with food technology company Emydex.

Among Simply Dynamics’ clients is Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, a food retailer and distributor to multiples such as Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Super-quinn, Marks & Spencer, SuperValu, and Aldi.

Horgan’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system allows it to share real-time product, pricing, inventory, and invoicing information with multiples. The contract is valued at €200,000 over three years.

“Irish agri-food companies’ traceability standards are way ahead of their competitors,” said Mr Foskin. “The sector has been very conscious about quality. That comes at a cost. We are not going to be the cheapest in Europe, but the sector is delivering on its promise of being high quality.”

Simply Dynamics’ ERP solution is based on Microsoft Dynamics’ NAV [sic]. Food companies also use its Electronic Data Interchange systems. Its voice-based warehouse tracking delivers rapid data transfer, giving instantly traceable digital data without having to key in the information. Very efficient, low cost.

But, if so many Irish food companies are buying into this technology, what is the likely source of the horsemeat scandal?

Mr Foskin explains that quality control is like an inverted food pyramid, monitoring the intake of ingredients at the plant through to the final distributed processed product.

For EU food plants, data from each link in that chain is monitored. The problems are most likely to arrive when “middle men” such as non-EU traders move goods from one EU-approved plant via a third party, or where goods are relabelled.

“There needs to be greater vigilance and control of this area by suppliers and manufacturers,” Mr Foskin said. “With lasagne, for instance, there are four batch processes, with the bolognese sauce, cream sauces, etc. There is a lot of traceability in the chain.”

Food production companies, shops, and restaurants now understand it is essential to perform audits themselves as they want assurance that if they are called upon because of a food safety problem they can stop the problem before their brand is damaged.

Mr Foskin said: “Because of the low-value nature of some retail foods, such as a lasagne or a box of burgers, the traceability is in batches rather than individual units. That is why when there is a need to recall, it is the warehouse which recalls everything off the shelf of every retailer, based on the lot number.

“Ten years ago, when volumes were lower, the manufacturer would have known which store he’d sent which unit to. Now he sends all of his batches to the warehouse. The manufacturer doesn’t know which exact store the product has gone to.”

Simply Dynamics’ ERP system allows backwards and forwards traceability. The manufacturer can trace goods back from the finished lot and supplier number. Keeping the costs of this traceability demands smart, low-cost technology.

Mr Foskin said: “A lot of our warehousing is being done with voice-based systems that are fully integrated back into the ERP system. Manufacturers are constantly under pressure in terms of cost, and this approach delivers savings.”
All products are required to have a specific lot number that would allow for the product to be returned to the supplier in the case of a recall. The Dynamics NAV records lot number of product and packaging, name, address, phone number, fax number, email address, date of receipt, transportation carrier, bill of lading number, and mode of transportation.

It also records all relevant QC test data, shelf life, data on movements, inventory, allergens, tests, incubations, and has a management system for handling complaints. This system is typical of the traceability heights attained by Irish food companies in recent years.

“Very rigid QC and QA systems are needed, which comes back to vendor rating,” Mr Foskin said.

“Vendor rating gives some payback for food manufacturers, who know that there are good and bad suppliers out there.

“This technology gives them firm data to back up their stringent controls. It tracks late deliveries, short deliveries, quality of packaging, etc.

“When you rate a vendor, the payback comes when you negotiate future contracts with a supplier. You have the data on their poor performance.

“The Irish food industry deserves a pat on the back in terms of the quality standards and efficiency it delivers. It is a flagship industry, and understandably so. I have worked all over the world in this area for many years. Irish standards are way ahead of the competition.”

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Emydex Production Management Integration

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Niall Naughton

emydex_logo Simply Dynamics, in conjunction with Food Technology company Emydex, have launched their off the shelf integration software package.

The Dynamics Nav system is fully integrated to Emydex to manage and report on factory floor production, the system is responsible for the data capture and reporting on production processes, yields and food chain traceability.

The combination of Simply Dynamics and Emydex systems allows communication and synchronisation of both master and transactional data from all departments within the organisation to Microsoft Dynamics Nav. This fully integrated solution can be applied to any Emydex and Simply Dynamics implementations.

Commenting, one of our customers said, “The integration between Simply Dynamics and Emydex provides us with instant visibility and traceability across the entire organisation. The Simply Dynamics solution has also streamlined all our processes and we now have real-time access to our key performance indicators such as yield, pricing and invoicing data for the company.”

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Dynamics NAV and Traceability for Food Producers

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Niall Naughton

In today’s marketplace the requirement for traceability has moved on from simply traceability satisfying government regulation.  Food production companies, shops and restaurants now feel it is essential to  perform audits themselves.  Why, you might ask. It’s simple, they want assurance that if they were called upon because of a food safety problem that they could stop the problem before their name brand is damaged and their reputation ruined. These problems are expensive and cause some companies everything, including the business itself.

Recalls happen for various reasons; food can be contaminated at many different steps – on the farm, in processing or distribution facilities, during transit and at retail or food service locations. A recall can also take place because an allergen isn’t listed on the food label or the food was contaminated because it came in contact with an allergen at some point during processing, foreign materials may be found in the batch or, regulations weren’t followed.  However, all products are required to have a specific lot number that would allow for the product to be returned to the supplier if such an event occurred.

These regulations require backward/forward traceability of all products and their packaging; you must provide the following information during an audit: the name, address, phone, fax number, email, lot number or other identifier of the product or ingredient and the type of packaging and quantity per lot of the Company’s plant that had the product or ingredient immediately before you.  You must have the date that you received it from that supplier. You are required to have the same information from the transportation company that delivered it to you along with the bill of lading number and the mode of transportation. You are also required to provide the same information when you ship the product to your customer

Dynamics NAV records and retains the following:

  • Records raw ingredient supplier data: lot number of product and packaging, name, address, phone number, fax number, email address, date of receipt, transportation carrier, bill of lading number and mode of transportation
  • Records all relevant QC test data and retains the information permanently
  • Records samples data and retains the data permanently
  • Records shelf life and expiration dates of raw materials and finished goods
  • Records location of inventory
  • Records dates of receiving, movement, transfers, picking, staging, production
  • Records allergens
  • Records lot number changes as the product is produced; while tracking each lot number of stated ingredients
  • Records of all relevant production activities, tests, inspections, analyses, incubations, evaluations and records of all scheduled processes applied to each batch and actions taken in relation to under processed foods shall be maintained
  • Records Finished Good shipment data; lot number of finished good product and packaging, name, address, phone number, fax number, email address,  transportation carrier, bill of lading number, mode of transportation, date of delivery and COA if applicable
  • A complaint management system for handling complaints, investigation of complaint and resolution or recall of complaint

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Joule implements €100k ERP solution from Simply Dynamics

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Niall Naughton
pictured-are-ronan-ginnell-joule-with-david-treanor-simply-dynamics

Simply Dynamics, a leading provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, today announced that it has implemented a €100,000 ERP solution for Joule, an Irish manufacturer and distributer of hot water and solar systems. The system gives Joule much more control over cost as it helps streamline its operations.

Joule designs and produces copper and stainless steel hot water cylinders and solar thermal heating systems. It manufactures these innovative, green-tech products from its facility in Ballyfermot, Dublin. Founded in 2007 by two young Irish entrepreneurs Ronan Ginnell and Ian Barrett, it has become one of Ireland’s largest manufacturers of solar panel, hot water and tube systems.

Joule has grown by 40% over the last year, opening its first UK and Polish offices. International expansion meant that it needed an ERP system that would seamlessly manage all its processes including manufacturing, sales, purchase and financials and provide accurate, up-to-date information across the international businesses at the touch of a button.

Simply Dynamics was chosen to provide its Microsoft Dynamics NAV, ERP solution which has the in-built flexibility to adapt and grow, meeting the changing business needs of Joule as it continues to expand. The UK and Polish offices have been easily integrated into the Simply Dynamics system, giving the company complete visibility over its entire business, across all territories.

Joule buys copper to manufacture cylinders which it sells to heating, plumbing and hardware merchants. It needs an accurate overview of the stock costs but as the price of copper can fluctuate at any given time this can have a knock on effect on the price of Joule’s current stock. The ERP system allows Joule to manage cost variances, removing the risk of selling stock at a loss.

An additional benefit is having visibility of turnover by product category, enabling Joule to determine the most profitable parts of the company in each market. Joule can now react quickly to refocus on-going business plans in each region and target business where it is experiencing above average margins.

Ronan Ginnell, director and co-founder, Joule said, “We chose Simply Dynamics’ as they had the proven experience and it was essential to us that this new system was a success from day one. The Simply Dynamics team took the time to get to know our business and understand the pressures of working in this industry. They implemented the software around our product system as opposed to the other way around and have continued to offer us proactive support ever since.”

“We now have the accurate insight we need to minimise costs, improve decision making and increase revenue as the ERP solution is providing fast access to our company wide information, and allows us to drill down to the transaction level for details.”

David Treanor, technical director, Simply Dynamics said, “With such a rapidly growing specialist business we had to tailor the Microsoft Dynamics Nav solution to give Joule improved control over finance and operations. Our customers are at the centre of everything we do and with our single product focus we have built a team of experts that work with customers such as Joule to ensure the ERP system will do what it is meant to, and improve the efficiency and productivity of their company.”

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Simply Dynamics implements Microsoft Dynamics NAV at Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies

Posted on October 5, 2012 by admin

Simply Dynamics today announced that it has implemented an ERP solution for award-winning Irish food retailer and distributor, Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies. The new system is enabling Horgan’s to gain greater visibility and control over its entire production, sales and distribution processes.

Horgan’s supplies farmhouse and continental cheeses, specialty cooked and fermented meats, antipasti, fresh pasta and other speciality foods to individual delicatessen and speciality outlets, symbol groups and major multiple retailers around Ireland, including Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Superquinn, Marks & Spencer, SuperValu and Aldi. Based in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, it employees 78 people and has a turnover of €25 million.

Simply Dynamics was chosen to provide an ERP solution based on Microsoft Dynamics NAV. The new system is enabling Horgan’s to streamline its business processes by automating data collection from order capture to processing purchases, sales and payments.

Horgan’s needed a modern ERP platform that could easily integrate with its current applications including its sales analysis and forecasting software which support the replenishment of stock and its Nomad hand-held system that provides up-to-the-minute information from delivery trucks, the warehouse and field sales representatives.

Using Simply Dynamics’ ERP system, Horgan’s can share real-time product, pricing, inventory, and invoicing information with all employees. Access to more-detailed business data is enabling better capacity and demand planning, and the purchasing and stocking of popular products.

Horgan’s is also a packer of cheese and its new ERP solution is providing it with greater insight to predict stock requirements, take account of sales trends, lead-times and seasonality. This information is critical in the production and distribution of perishable goods.

Simply Dynamics has added an enhancement to the standard Microsoft Dynamics NAV solution, enabling Horgan’s to allow catch-weight pricing for a significant number of its products. Customers place an order for a specified number of a particular food item and, during distribution, the actual weight of the product can be captured so the customer can be billed based on this weight.

Horgan’s now also has an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system to handle orders from all the large retail multiples. EDI makes it easier to exchange information electronically when dealing with customers who purchase large quantities of goods. Sales orders are entered automatically and can be processed faster as the EDI is an integrated part of the Simply Dynamics’ ERP system. When a shipment message is sent, the customer knows in advance what will be received, resulting in more-efficient processing.

Michael Horgan, Managing Director of Horgan’s Delicatessen Supplies said “When we began researching ERP systems, we immediately recognised that Microsoft Dynamics NAV was the ideal solution for us. Simply Dynamics has become a great partner due to their obvious expertise and in-depth knowledge of both the product and our industry.

“The Simply Dynamics team was on-hand throughout the implementation and have been available to support us every step of the way since the system has gone live . Their pro-active and conscientious approach has ensured ease of adoption of the ERP platform by all our staff and the overall success of this project.”

Ger Foskin, CEO of Simply Dynamics said, “Horgan’s is a great example of a growing Irish business in the food industry, operating with unique requirements. It needs to be able to quickly adapt in order to respond to changing customer demands and capitalise on all new opportunities. The flexibility of our solution allows it to be implemented around specific industry functionality, so it can be tailored to suit companies in the food sector.”

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Simply Dynamics invests €1m in company growth and plans to create 15 new jobs

Posted on October 4, 2012 by admin

Simply Dynamics today announced that it is to invest €1m in the company to support expansion in Ireland and the growth of its international business. The company is to hire an additional 15 people over the next two years.

The investment comes from multiple sources including Enterprise Ireland, shareholders, and retained earnings. The expansion will include opening a larger Cork office, and initially 5 of the 15 new positions will be based there. The new positions will include senior Dynamics NAV developers, senior Dynamics NAV consultants and customer executives.

Since its establishment, Simply Dynamics has had continued strong growth, averaging 30% year-on-year.

Simply Dynamics works in consultation with its customers across a wide range of sectors to plan and implement successful ERP projects. It delivers tailored Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP solutions that provide customers with greater visibility and control over their financial and operational functions, helping to increase efficiency across the organisation. Small businesses in Ireland are increasingly joining the over-one-million users of Microsoft Dynamics NAV worldwide in implementing this solution as it can easily scale to accommodate future growth and can be modified to fit a business’ specific requirements.

Simply Dynamics is also experiencing significant growth in international markets, particularly the US and Holland, for its extensive range of enhancements for Microsoft Dynamics NAV. International customers include a leading worldwide recruitment agency, one of the largest jewellery chains in New York and a management company for Canadian ski resorts.

Focusing on only one software solution has enabled the company to build a strong team of ERP experts, and it is this focus that has contributed to the company’s growth to date. Simply Dynamics provides a product with a ten year development roadmap and support, delivered by a dedicated team of experts, who are accredited to the highest levels and work daily with customers to ensure the success of their ERP projects.

Ger Foskin, CEO of Simply Dynamics said, “As a single product focused business , we have the expertise and dedication to provide our customers with the best service possible. Our customers are at the centre of everything we do and we work alongside them to ensure that all goals agreed at the beginning of a project can be achieved. With this investment and our new staff we are looking to grow our business and strengthen our offering for both our Irish and international customers.”

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Simply Dynamics opens larger Cork office at Little Island

Posted on October 3, 2012 by admin

As part of the company’s previously-announced expansion plan, Simply Dynamics has today opened its new, larger, Cork office at Little Island. The move to this new Cork office was necessary as the company had out-grown its existing Cork office in Bishopstown. All existing Cork-based staff have now transferred to the new office and 5 new staff will be recruited to allow the company to offer its full range of services from the Cork office. As a result of the move, the company now has a new Cork telephone number. (021 206 7300)

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Simply Dynamics Appoints new Sales Manager

Posted on October 2, 2012 by admin

Simply Dynamics today announced the appointment of Willie Fitzgerald as Sales Manager. In his new role, Willie will be responsible for the overall management of the sales and marketing functions within the company. Willie has significant industry knowledge and expertise having worked for more than 12 years with some of the largest Irish IT providers, selling a wide range of enterprise-level solutions.

Before joining Simply Dynamics, Willie held the position of Senior Account Manager with ICT solutions provider, Datapac. During his time with Datapac he worked with leading Irish and multi-national businesses across numerous sectors, where he also gained significant experience of Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Willie has also worked for Compuland as a Business Development Manager, and over the last number of years has gained many vendor accreditations due to his continuous up-skilling on current and emerging technologies.

Ger Foskin, CEO of Simply Dynamics, said of the new appointment, “We have built a talented team of ERP specialists and Willie will be a great addition. With many years of IT industry experience, he has a deep understanding of our customers’ needs and will play an integral role in Simply Dynamics as we continue to grow our business. His strong customer focus fits very well with our customer-centric ethos.”

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