Stoneridge Software, Levridge and Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative: Transforming Agribusiness with Innovative Digital Solutions
Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative (MDFC), situated in the agricultural heartland of Wahpeton, North Dakota, embarked on a transformative journey with Stoneridge Software to revamp its technological infrastructure. This initiative aimed to consolidate various siloed systems into a unified Microsoft platform, streamlining processes from Financial Planning to Commodity Accounting. The project was not just about technological upgrade but aligning with MDFC’s vision of building a scalable, efficient, and integrated system to enhance productivity, reporting capabilities, and real-time data access for its stakeholders, including the growers and shareholders.
Business Challenges:
MDFC’s journey to digital transformation was propelled by a set of complex challenges that hindered operational efficiency and strategic growth:
- Outdated Fragmented Systems: MDFC was operating with several disjointed systems across multiple platforms, leading to inefficiencies and data silos. The Cooperative’s reliance on old beet and shareholder accounting systems resulted in inefficiencies and a disproportionate dependency on the IT Director for system maintenance and reporting.
- Manual Processes: Heavy reliance on manual processes resulted in operational delays and increased the likelihood of errors.
- Inadequate Reporting: The Cooperative’s existing reporting mechanisms were not sufficiently robust to support in-depth analysis and strategic decision-making.
- Delayed Data Access: The absence of real-time information flow impeded swift decision-making and operational agility.
“MDFC knew that we needed connected business technology that would not only encompass our needs today but set a strong foundation for well into the future,” says John Wieser, Director of IT at MDFC. “Stoneridge Software was the right partner to guide us on this journey.”
Solution:
In response to these challenges, Stoneridge Software worked with MDFC to devise and implement a holistic solution that leveraged Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain along with an add-on solution called Levridge, specifically tailored for agribusiness needs. The solution strategy encompassed:
- Comprehensive Platform Upgrade: Transitioning from outdated systems to Dynamics 365 and Levridge to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual intervention. The initial phase included upgrading the shareholder accounting system, modernizing sugarbeet sampling processes, and enhancing beet seed sales. Subsequent phases introduce a cloud-based platform with continuous updates, integrated fixed assets, maintenance, Asset & Warehouse Management, and the automation of pulp & tailing load orders.
- Unified System Framework: The objective was to transition to a single Microsoft platform that seamlessly integrates various operational aspects including Commodity Accounting (purchase contracts, scale tickets, freight), Quote to Cash, Procure to Pay, and Plan to Inventory. The goal was to achieve seamless data flow and communication between all platforms, including planning for future technological integrations.
- Advanced BI and Reporting: Implementing a robust BI and reporting framework that includes extracting Dynamics data, analyzing out-of-the-box dashboards, providing data lake guidance and setup, and offering data strategy assessment and architectural recommendations.
- Equity And Patronage: Deploying a cloud-based system for managing member equity and patronage that could ensure real-time updates, modern interface, reliable support, and long-term viability to adapt to future changes for ongoing compliance.
Results:
The partnership between MDFC, Stoneridge Software and Levridge has yielded significant advancements toward creating a unified digital ecosystem, characterized by:
- Operational Cohesiveness: The transition towards a single platform has streamlined operations, reduced redundancies and enhanced efficiency.
- Enhanced Decision-making: The availability of real-time data and advanced reporting capabilities has empowered stakeholders with timely, actionable insights.
- Future-ready Infrastructure: The cloud-based platform ensures that MDFC is equipped with the latest features and updates, ready to adapt to future challenges and opportunities.
- Increased Productivity: The automation of previously manual tasks has led to significant productivity gains, allowing MDFC to focus on strategic growth and innovation.
This digital overhaul not only addressed the immediate challenges faced by MDFC but also laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth, aligning with the Cooperative’s vision of maintaining business continuity while enhancing operational efficiency and strategic decision-making capabilities.
