From Legacy Systems to Lean Operations: Modernizing Livestock Feed and Commodity Processing
Outdated Systems Hindering Growth
A well-established livestock feed producer and commodity processor faced mounting challenges due to outdated business software, specifically a highly customized AS400 system that had become costly and complex to maintain. The pending retirement of their IT Director, who had delayed stepping down to ensure a suitable replacement system, added urgency to their search for a modern and comprehensive software solution.
Challenge: Seeking Specialized Commodity Processing Features
This feed producer needed a robust solution to handle the unique demands of commodity processing and feed management. The challenge was finding a system that could handle standard accounting as well as the specialized requirements of tracking scale tickets, purchase contracts, and sales contracts. Their first attempt to implement Dynamics 365 (D365) Finance and Supply Chain with a previous partner didn’t meet these needs, as the solution lacked essential commodity functionality and would have required cumbersome customization.
Levridge and Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain – Tailored for Modernization and User-Friendly Experience
Enter Stoneridge Software, a trusted Microsoft partner, and their Levridge solution integrated with Dynamics 365. Levridge provided the essential out-of-the-box commodity functionality to meet the livestock feed producer’s needs, from managing feed processing operations to supporting future growth. Stoneridge’s expertise and Levridge’s capabilities enabled a smooth migration of custom-built functionalities, allowing the company to retire the outdated AS400 system.
The IT Director appreciated Levridge’s design, noting, “Levridge didn’t make their product so different from Dynamics that you couldn’t understand it. It’s user-friendly, so when you’re in Levridge or D365, it feels seamless.” This intuitive design allowed team members to adapt quickly, reducing the learning curve and boosting productivity.
Stoneridge Software’s collaborative approach also stood out. The IT Director added, “They listen to our needs, and some of the features we requested were already implemented before going live. Their commitment to evolving the product based on feedback has been invaluable.” This responsiveness ensured the solution could grow alongside the organization’s needs.
Stoneridge Software credited much of the project’s success to the feed producer’s dedication to thorough testing and executive involvement, which helped overcome challenges efficiently.
Result: Transforming Operations and Achieving Efficiency
The combinations of Stoneridge Software implementing Levridge and Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain, yielded substantial improvements, including:
Improved Inventory Management:
- Transitioning from a highly configured old system required meticulous configuration to ensure smooth processing while accommodating deviations from the default scenario.
- With Levridge, the milling company maintained accurate bills of materials (BOMs) and implemented cycle counts to ensure consumption accuracy, resulting in more precise cost calculations for finished goods items.
Tailored Commodity Functionality:
- Levridge’s out-of-the-box functionality perfectly aligned with the needs as a commodity processor.
- In addition to standard accounting functions, industry-specific features, such as tracking growers, scale tickets, purchase and sales contracts settlements and unit trains, were seamlessly integrated into the Levridge product.
System Modernization and Sustainability:
- Stoneridge Software assisted the organization in modernizing their operations, ensuring the system’s sustainability for years to come.
- The configurable user interface of Levridge allowed for personalized settings, such as adjusting weight calculations for accurate truck weighing.
Scalability and Adaptability:
- The new system’s scalability positioned the business to extend its benefits to other divisions within the company, fostering growth and operational consistency.
Maximized User Interaction and Efficiency:
- The client’s commitment to engaging its team members through CRP (Conference Room Pilot) sessions facilitated comprehensive user interaction and exposure.
- Leveraging Dynamics 365 and Levridge, the time required for recording production transactions significantly decreased, thanks to streamlined processes, auto-populated fields, and flexible BOM configurations.
Tailored Expertise and Strong Relationships:
- Levridge team’s expertise in understanding the unique needs of commodity processors, coupled with a dedicated client team, ensured the development of a product that uniquely suited the project requirements.
- The strength of the relationship between Stoneridge Software and the milling client played a pivotal role in navigating challenges and achieving successful project outcomes.
The powerful combination of industry-specific functionality, user-centric design, and strong partnership between technology partner Stoneridge Software and the commodity processing and livestock feed client resulted in a transformational journey. By adopting Levridge and Dynamics 365, the client achieved heightened operational efficiency, modernized their systems, and positioned themselves for future growth—all while nurturing a valuable and enduring relationship with their technology partner.
The IT Director reflected on the journey, saying, “I would definitely recommend Stoneridge and Levridge to anyone in the market. The product speaks for itself, interfacing seamlessly with Microsoft products, and the usability is remarkable.”
Another key team member emphasized Stoneridge’s strategic expertise, saying, “They brought the right people at every level of the project, guiding us confidently towards a successful implementation.”
