Newitts Case Study on NAV 2016 to D365 BC Upgrade

About Newitts

Established in 1902, Newitts is a leading online retailer of sports equipment and sportswear, renowned for its commitment to quality. Offering a wide array of products catering to diverse fitness pursuits, from swimwear to footballs and exercise machines, Newitts is dedicated to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle through its exceptional offerings.

The Challenges

Mercurius IT has partnered with Newitts since 2016, supporting their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) operations. In 2016, Mercurius IT completed a Fixed-Price Upgrade from Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 to Dynamics NAV 2016.

As Newitts continued to grow, it became evident that an upgrade to the latest solution was necessary to future-proof operations and accommodate business expansion.

Operating on a legacy on-premises solution posed challenges, necessitating significant investment and effort for server maintenance to sustain operations. With Newitts current ERP set up, they were facing heightened security risks, performance issues, and the likelihood of outages.

Consequently, Newitts opted to transition to a Cloud deployment model for their new ERP implementation. Additionally, manual processes and data silos were impeding efficiency, particularly during peak periods, hindering order processing capabilities.

Seeking to streamline operations, Mercurius IT recommended a implementing robust warehouse management system alongside their ERP upgrade to Dynamics 365 Business Central, aiming to optimise the sales order process.

The Solution

Mercurius IT successfully migrated Newitts from Dynamics NAV 2016 to Dynamics 365 Business Central in the Cloud through the Fixed-Price Upgrade service. The solution has been seamlessly integrated across departments, facilitating efficient back-end operations. Emphasis was placed on implementing a structured walk sequence and improving the sales order process.

To enhance warehousing operations, Mercurius IT introduced a logical walk sequence, doubling Newitts’ daily order processing capacity to from 400 to 900+ orders. This was achieved through the implementation of a powerful Mobile Warehouse Management System (WMS) that seamlessly integrates with Business Central. A customised picking plan on the WMS categorises data into logical groups and routes, optimising picker productivity.

Furthermore, a secure API was configured for web orders, enabling real-time data transmission to Business Central, significantly reducing order processing time from 10-15 minutes to 300-700ms.
Leveraging Business Central’s item picture capability further improved productivity by providing visual references for pickers.

Moreover, integration with Newitts’ delivery partners through an API allows for the generation of labels and tracking numbers directly within the system, enhancing customer service.

The Benefits

The transition to Business Central Online has yielded significant benefits for Newitts, including:

• Access to the latest ERP technology with Business Central
• Elimination of server upkeep and maintenance costs through Cloud deployment
• Enhanced security and accessibility with Cloud deployment
• Implementation of a logical walk sequence, enabling processing of ~900 orders per day
• Automation of key processes, reducing manual data entry and paper-based processes
• Substantial reduction in web order processing time from 15 minutes to 300ms
• Streamlined generation of postage labels and tracking numbers through Business Central

In conclusion, the partnership between Newitts and Mercurius IT has resulted in a transformative upgrade from Dynamics NAV 2016 to Dynamics 365 Business Central, marking a significant milestone in Newitts’ journey towards operational excellence. By embracing cloud technology and implementing a structured walk sequence, Newitts has not only enhanced its order processing capabilities but also future-proofed its operations for sustained growth. The automation of key processes and seamless integration with external partners have further solidified Newitts’ position as a premier online retailer of sports equipment and sportswear, empowering them to continue championing a healthy and active lifestyle for their customers.