L.Thorn Company chooses Next Innovation to deliver Microsoft Axapta

Leading Building product Distributor & Manufacturer seeks to serve customers better by updating ERP system to Microsoft Axapta.

Atlanta, GA, On June 22, 2005 L.Thorn Company made the decision to purchase Microsoft Axapta from Microsoft Certified Partner & Axapta Reseller Next Innovation, Inc (NI). That marked the end of a year long dedicated search for a replacement for their existing ERP system that did not have the needed functionality to accomplish the company’s long-term IT goals. L.Thorn President Michael Ludden is convinced that Axapta will assist in that growth: “Most importantly, Axapta will allow us to serve our customers better”.

L.Thorn conducted their ERP search in a very structured way. They hired a software selection consultant to perform a thorough Business Analysis, and to make recommendations for software packages that would effectively replace their old system. In this case, Price Data Systems (www.priceinc.com) was hired to do that task. It was Price that recommended L.Thorn invite NI to present Microsoft Axapta. L.Thorn’s final decision was based on several product factors such as price, use of 3rd party applications vs. integrated technology, and the ability to customize at the user-level. However the personalities of the Next Innovation owners also weighed heavily on the outcome. Mr. Ludden claimed that “Next Innovation displayed thorough knowledge of Microsoft Axapta, and was able to translate that ability into the benefits L Thorn could reap from it.” Ludden also pointed out that NI was always very professiona and educational in their presentations of Axapta.

L.Thorn will be using most every part of Axapta including new technologies like CRM, Enterprise Portal Framework, and a new “Alerts” optional feature that will keep his managers aware of significant operational events each day. Ludden sees this new solution as first and foremost having the potential to provide quicker, more accurate information int the Customer Service operations. Ludden also expects benefits such as improved financial reporting and provide all employees with easy access to the information they need to meet their objectives.

NI CEO Henrik Almind echoed L.Thorn’s optimism by stating “We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring Axapta to L.Thorn. There were several other closer and bigger Microsoft resellers L.Thorn could have pursued, but they still chose NI. Axapta is what we do best and what will continue to base our business on in the future. It was a great win over a formidable competitor in SAP, and we look forward to a positive long-term relationship with L.Thorn.”

Source: NextInnovation