Portables Plus Chooses Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta

Portables Plus has selected Microsoft Business Solutions' Axapta as its core solution to integrate its business processes and create a strong, flexible platform for expansion.

The Auckland-based mobile computing and ICT solutions provider, with ambitious growth plans to become a nationwide service provider, has restructured its business systems and adopted a thin client model to improve efficiency and resource utilisation, explains Calum Haslop, Portables Plus' Managing Director.

“Before selecting Axapta we couldn't get an adequate overview of our inventory even though we had a lot of resources tied up in administration. We basically had too many people focused on paperwork and double-handling information, who were not being freed up to drive solutions and service customers.

“We chose Axapta because it's a fully integrated, centralised solution which is future proof, well supported and will grow with our needs and our business. Axapta will improve the way we handle customer queries and supply records as well as giving us the flexibility to transfer inventory from one location to another,” says Haslop.

Portables Plus selected Koorb Consulting as its Axapta implementation partner and AppServ as its outsourced IT partner for the project, which is set to go live this August.

“We are moving on to a thin client model - with the entire desktop being hosted and delivered by AppServ - allowing us to easily set-up shop anywhere, anytime. Using this unique partner model, we will be able to have desktops set-up for our employees on a variety of hardware options, freeing us up to focus on serving customers rather than IT systems.

“We felt Axapta, as well as the partners were the best fit for our business in terms of our growth plans going forward. Both partners understood our business needs and clearly demonstrated Axapta as a superior product,” adds Haslop.

Nicholas Birch, Director of Koorb Consulting, says Portables Plus is changing the way it engages across the business to become more customer-centric rather than internally focused on administration and operational processes.

“Axapta will provide them with a flexible, open system allowing them to explore opportunities to improve customer service, improve the way they handle supplies and customer information and give them a clear picture of their inventory investment.

“On a long-term basis, Axapta will create a strong foundation to develop their business proposition of becoming a 'one-stop-shop' computing and communication technologies solution provider for the small-to-medium enterprise market,” adds Birch.

David Guy, Microsoft Business Solutions Partner and Group Manager, adds that more New Zealand businesses are recognising the potential Axapta holds for supporting business growth strategies and improving overall business performance.

“Portables Plus is a great example of this. Using Axapta on a thin client model will create greater flexibility in how Portables Plus grows both physically and strategically.”