BlackHawk Products Group Gears Up With Microsoft Dynamics AX Enterprise Solution

Leading manufacturer of tactical military and law enforcement equipment chooses Microsoft technology stack for e-commerce, supply chain and financial management.

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp. today announced that BlackHawk Products Group, the leading supplier of tactical equipment to the U.S. military and law enforcement markets, has chosen Microsoft Dynamics™ AX as the foundation for its new, enterprisewide e-commerce, supply chain and financial management technology solution. The Norfolk, Va.-based company will roll out Microsoft Dynamics AX to 200 desktops across multiple locations beginning in April 2006. The company, which grew approximately 30 percent in 2005, envisions that it will continue to grow significantly over the coming years, which was one of its main motivators for choosing Microsoft Dynamics.

“Our commitment to providing customers with a one-stop shop for the largest selection of the best tactical gear products on the market required us to seek an enterprise solution that would allow us to continue to meet our customer service goals while providing scalability to our growing business,” said Mike Noell, president and CEO of BlackHawk Products Group. “It was clear to us that a Microsoft Dynamics solution will continue to scale to meet our needs five or 10 years down the road. The combination of scalability, the ability to streamline our processes and a familiar interface our people already know how to navigate made Microsoft the clear choice.”

BlackHawk’s implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX will integrate with an overall Microsoft® platform solution, which will also include Windows Server™ 2003, Exchange Server 2003, SQL Server™, BizTalk® Server and Commerce Server, and will take advantage of SharePoint® Technologies. Noell, who is a former U.S. Navy SEAL, said the company considered deploying an SAP enterprise solution, but that in terms of overall cost, time, and ease of implementation, administration and use, SAP enterprise products did not measure up to Microsoft Dynamics AX for the company’s specific needs. He also indicated that real-world examples of Microsoft Dynamics delivering solutions for organizations similar to BlackHawk in type and size were something the SAP sales team couldn’t match.

“There’s just no doubt about it: Microsoft Dynamics AX is a remarkably adaptable solution in terms of ease of implementation or migration from other vendors’ products,” said Mark A. Jensen, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics AX at Microsoft. “It’s not something we are just talking about; we constantly hear new success stories of companies that have chosen Microsoft Dynamics AX because it helps them adapt in fast-moving markets. With its combination of out-of-the-box functionality and its powerful customization capabilities, Microsoft Dynamics is simply the best choice.”

Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. BlackHawk will specifically leverage the product’s e-commerce, sourcing, procurement, inventory control and capacity planning features, as well as advanced financial reporting and analysis tools.

Microsoft partner Vis.align Inc., a Philadelphia-based company with deep industry knowledge and experience in deploying Microsoft Dynamics AX, will implement BlackHawk’s solution. Vis.align’s knowledge of Microsoft’s technology platform and business solutions was essential in identifying the right technology solution for BlackHawk’s enterprise business needs.