REDMOND, Wash. — Dec. 15, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that W.C. Bradley Co. has selected Microsoft Dynamics™ GP to handle its corporate enterprise resource planning (ERP) functions, including aggregation of data from multiple divisions of the company. Founded in 1895, and based in Columbus, Ga., W.C. Bradley will also leverage the solution to power independent operations for several of its key brands — including Char-Broil, Zebco, Lamplight and WC Bradley Real Estate — for functions ranging from anticipating demand to manufacturing and distribution, a change the company expects will save it millions of dollars over the next five years compared with results from its current Oracle solution.
“Oracle simply couldn’t handle our business needs or take us where we needed to go,” said Jim Poole, vice president and chief information officer of W.C. Bradley. “Just because a company’s business model is complex doesn’t mean that its ERP solution has to be. We expect Microsoft Dynamics GP to provide a whole new layer of capabilities while also being easier to use and far less expensive to operate. The choice seemed pretty clear.”
One key challenge for the company was forecasting fluctuating demand from numerous big-box vendors for its various product lines, which include, among many product categories, gas grills and outdoor cooking products, and fishing equipment. Improved visibility through Microsoft Dynamics GP is anticipated to reduce on-hand inventory 20 percent to 30 percent, freeing up significant resources. Better supply chain management and communication with offshore production facilities in China are among other expected changes. The company will also convert its core financials within each division as well as at the corporate level to Microsoft Dynamics GP, including integration with Microsoft® FRx® to create Web-based budgeting tools.
“W.C. Bradley is a historic American company that has succeeded by building a diverse brand portfolio and managing it expertly and cohesively,” said Jon Pratt, senior director of product marketing for Microsoft Dynamics GP at Microsoft. “This is exactly what Microsoft Dynamics GP has been developed to do: apply a standardized, simplified approach to managing complex business challenges and help companies capitalize on the broadest spectrum of business opportunities. We are thrilled about W.C. Bradley’s choice of the Microsoft platform to help it continue its longevity and significant achievements in the business community.”
Microsoft Dynamics GP is a comprehensive and highly scalable business-management solution that offers a cost-effective way to manage and integrate finances, e-commerce, supply chain, manufacturing, project accounting, field service, customer relationships and human resources. Based on the familiar People-Ready Microsoft Office system interface, Microsoft Dynamics GP makes it easy for executives, managers and staff to access information that is meaningful to their specific role and responsibilities, gain deep contextual insight into what key drivers matter to their business, and improve efficiency throughout their organization. The solution is also easy to configure and maintain, further adding to overall return on investment.
I.B.I.S. Inc., a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner that specializes in implementing complex, large-scale installations in the enterprise market and was voted Microsoft Business Solutions Partner of the Year in 2001 and 2003, will implement the new solution. To maximize success with its Microsoft Dynamics GP solution, W.C. Bradley adopted the Microsoft Deluxe Support Services Plus plan offered through I.B.I.S. Microsoft Deluxe Support Services is a high-value plan that provides customers with a personalized support relationship to help them maximize their technology investment. It offers service from an assigned Microsoft Technical Services Account Manager who will work directly with I.B.I.S., providing added technical expertise to assist with existing projects and future planning.
“Enterprise customers require a full-service solution,” said Scott Vinson, vice president of sales for I.B.I.S. “This includes access to the expertise they need both before and after implementation. Microsoft has worked closely with its partners to develop a program that further helps us keep our customers satisfied throughout their IT life cycle, which means better business for them and a fantastic track record of success for I.B.I.S.”
About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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