Mechanical Contractor Hermanson Company Builds on Stronger Ground with Microsoft Dynamics 365
Rebuilding Confidence Through Partnership
Hermanson Company, a Pacific Northwest mechanical contractor known for delivering some of the region’s most complex commercial projects, faced a critical inflection point. Their legacy ERP system was outdated and unstable and was not capable of supporting the strategic growth vision of the company. After two years of a failed implementation with a previous partner, internal teams were fatigued, momentum had stalled, and trust in the process had eroded.
That’s when Hermanson turned to Stoneridge Software, not just for a new system, but for a fresh start.
“Our project had been going on for two years. We did a full reboot—new partner, new program manager, revamped internal and external teams,” says John Schroeder, Director of Technology, Hermanson Company. “We needed to get live as fast as possible.”
Business Challenges: Complexity Meets Urgency
As Hermanson’s project portfolio and workforce expanded, their existing tools simply couldn’t keep up. Their legacy ERP platform (Sage) had become a patchwork of outdated customizations, requiring hours of manual effort across spreadsheets to complete tasks that should have been automated. On top of that, a stalled implementation with a prior partner created widespread fatigue and risked jeopardizing business performance.
Challenges Included:
- Failed implementation spanning two years with no go-live
- Complex union payroll processes requiring precision and integration
- Siloed data across systems limiting real-time forecasting and reporting
- Manual financial closes taking over two weeks to complete
- Business growth far outpacing technology infrastructure
“Our legacy system had hit a wall. It wasn’t just about replacing software, it was about giving our team the tools to move forward with confidence,” says Derek Hoffman, IT Project Manager, Hermanson Company
The Solution: Strategic Reboot on the Microsoft Stack
Hermanson turned to Stoneridge Software—a partner they knew and trusted from past success. This time, they approached implementation with a new mindset: simplify, standardize, and deliver an MVP (minimally viable product) that would get them live and stable fast. Together, they implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain, along with a strategic mix of configured tools and integrations to match Hermanson’s needs.
Core Solutions:
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations for core ERP functions
- Dual-write integration with Dynamics 365 Field Service for time and service tracking
- Custom integration to third-party payroll provider
- Tailored Excel-based Project Setup Tool to load projects, contracts, billing, and forecasts quickly
- ECAC Power App enabling project managers to view and forecast costs without ERP access
- Power BI dashboards for project profitability, WIP, burden analysis, and committed cost tracking
- ISV-Free Enhancements, avoiding cost-prohibitive third-party dependencies
“Stoneridge’s project management and development side is second to none. They really helped us cross the finish line,” says Neil Ammentorp, COO, Hermanson Company
The Partnership: Built on Trust, Sustained by Talent
From day one, the relationship was rooted in mutual respect and a shared urgency to succeed. Hermanson brought clear ownership and leadership to the table, while Stoneridge delivered construction-savvy consultants, thoughtful project management, and a flexible, phased implementation plan.
“Stoneridge didn’t just implement software — they helped us rethink how we solve problems using the tools we already had. That’s a partner,” says Gail Love, VP of HR, Hermanson Company
“With a background in construction ERP, we understood what success looked like and what could go wrong. We helped Hermanson find a way forward that balanced speed, sustainability, and people,” says Dustin Pagano, VP of Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain, Stoneridge Software
Results & Outlook: Ready for What’s Next with Tools They Can Trust
Hermanson’s ERP reboot didn’t just get them live — it got them moving again. The system has stability, flexibility, and scalability to support current and future business growth. Core processes like payroll and month-end close are dramatically faster. Teams have access to reliable data, integrated reporting, and tools they can trust. The project also reignited internal momentum, aligning leadership and users around a shared vision.
Key Outcomes:
- Go-live achieved after years of stalled progress
- Payroll processing time cut in half, even with a workforce that doubled in size
- Month-end close reduced from 15 days to under 10
- Integrated time tracking and payroll spanning Field Service to ADP
- Unified forecasting and cost control using D365, Power BI, and Autodesk data
“We knew the Stoneridge team understood construction and had already tackled challenges like ours. That credibility made a huge difference,” says Schroeder. “We’re in a great spot now. The team, the tools, the data — we’re ready for what’s next.”
Hermanson is now realizing their goal of a modern, integrated foundational platform for operating with clarity, control, and confidence. Their business technology systems are powered by Microsoft, supported by Stoneridge, and backed by a Hermanson leadership team that believes in building for the future.
Technologies Used:
Core Microsoft Stack
- Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations – Core ERP for finance, operations, and project management
- Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement – Field Service – Time tracking and project data integration
- Power Platform
- Power Apps – ECAC forecasting app for project managers
- Power BI – Custom reporting for WIP, project profitability, burden analysis
- Azure Active Directory / Entra ID – Identity and user management
Integrated Tools & Add-ons
- ADP – Payroll integration via API
- Avalara – Automated tax calculation and compliance
- ExFlow – AP automation and invoice processing
- Certify – Expense management
