When it comes to environmental safety and rapid response, Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) plays a vital role in protecting Canada’s coastlines. Recently, WCMRC faced the challenge of modernizing their outdated on-premises ERP system, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, which was no longer sufficient to support their growing operational demands. Partnering with EFOQUS, WCMRC successfully upgraded to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central—a transition that streamlined their processes and future-proofed their operations.
Navigating Common ERP Upgrade Challenges
Before the ERP upgrade, WCMRC operated on an outdated, on-premises version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV that was increasingly misaligned with their evolving needs. As an organization responsible for rapid and effective responses to environmental hazards along Canada’s coastline, WCMRC needed a system capable of matching the pace and precision of their operations.
However, their legacy system presented several critical limitations. The on-premises setup restricted employees to office-based operations, limiting field teams’ access to real-time information and impacting their responsiveness. Additionally, the finance team was burdened with time-consuming manual tasks, especially around journal entry approvals. Reliance on paper-based processes created inefficiencies, increased the potential for errors, and consumed valuable time that could otherwise be directed toward strategic activities.
Furthermore, WCMRC relied on third-party systems, such as DOC Link for document management and TAG for asset tracking—both crucial to their operational workflows. The lack of seamless integration with these systems led to data silos and operational delays, complicating efforts to maintain a unified workflow across all departments. Lastly, as Microsoft advanced its cloud-based offerings, the on-premises NAV solution not only became outdated but also lacked support for new features and enhancements. This limited WCMRC’s ability to scale and innovate, putting them at risk of falling behind in an industry where up-to-date tools are essential for efficiency and safety.
Given these challenges, WCMRC recognized the need for a comprehensive ERP upgrade to modernize their infrastructure, support integration, and align with their mission of safeguarding Canada’s coastlines.
Why WCMRC Chose EFOQUS for their ERP Upgrade
When embarking on an ERP upgrade of this scale, WCMRC recognized the importance of partnering with a company that could offer more than just technical skills. After evaluating multiple options, WCMRC selected EFOQUS for their ERP upgrade project due to EFOQUS’s strong track record in customer service, competitive pricing, and local expertise. With extensive knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, EFOQUS demonstrated an ability to understand the unique challenges faced by organizations with complex operational needs like WCMRC.
EFOQUS’s personalized approach and reputation for excellence were particularly attractive to WCMRC, as they needed a partner capable of providing hands-on support and a collaborative working style. Being a local Canadian company, EFOQUS could also offer real-time support and onsite presence if needed, which created a strong sense of trust and reliability. Ultimately, EFOQUS’s combination of customer-centric service, deep technical knowledge, and a tailored project management approach made it the ideal choice for WCMRC’s mission-critical ERP upgrade.
EFOQUS’s ERP Upgrade Solution
EFOQUS adopted a strategic approach to meet WCMRC’s specific needs:
- Thorough Planning and Risk Mitigation: EFOQUS collaborated closely with WCMRC’s leadership to outline the project timeline, define key deliverables, and proactively address potential risks. This careful planning minimized disruptions and aligned both teams on expectations from the start.
- Tailored Customizations: To meet WCMRC’s specific needs, EFOQUS customized Dynamics 365 Business Central, automating processes like journal entry approvals and optimizing modules for bank reconciliation and job tracking. These adjustments turned manual, paper-heavy tasks into streamlined digital workflows, enabling WCMRC to operate more efficiently.
- Smooth Integration of Key Systems: The integration of critical third-party systems like DOC Link and TAG was handled with precision. Despite vendor-related delays, EFOQUS’s proactive problem-solving ensured seamless functionality and uninterrupted operations by go-live.
- User Training and Testing: EFOQUS conducted comprehensive user acceptance testing (UAT) and provided targeted training sessions, enabling WCMRC’s team to confidently and effectively use the new ERP system from day one.
Key Outcomes and Benefits of the ERP Upgrade
WCMRC experienced numerous improvements following the successful implementation of Dynamics 365 Business Central:
- Enhanced Efficiency: The upgrade automated manual processes, significantly reducing the time spent on administrative tasks. Notably, automating journal entry approvals turned a paper-heavy process into a streamlined, paperless workflow, enabling the finance team to focus on strategic initiatives.
- Improved Accessibility: With the cloud-based Dynamics 365 Business Central, over 200 employees gained remote access to critical information, empowering teams in the field to make real-time updates and decisions.
- Customization and Flexibility: Integrating DOC Link and TAG without disruption preserved WCMRC’s essential document management and asset tracking functions.
- Time and Cost Savings: Transitioning to a cloud-based ERP reduced the need for frequent maintenance and costly updates, decreasing total ownership costs while ensuring access to the latest features and security enhancements.
Read the full WCMRC Case Study here!
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The partnership between WCMRC and EFOQUS didn’t just solve immediate challenges, it also laid the groundwork for future advancements. WCMRC now has a scalable platform that supports potential enhancements, such as Power BI integration for advanced reporting capabilities. This future-ready foundation ensures that WCMRC can continue optimizing its operations and stay at the forefront of environmental response.
Beyond the technical expertise, EFOQUS provided WCMRC with a level of customer service that set us apart. This included resolving a critical EFT issue within 24 hours—a testament to our commitment to client success.
EFOQUS’s proven track record in delivering customized Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central solutions can help your organization achieve new heights of efficiency and growth. Learn how EFOQUS can empower your team to ‘exhale deeply’ and achieve more.