OMEX Agriculture ramps up with Dynamics 365 Business Central to grow a greener future

The challenge

One of the significant technology challenges OMEX faced was it was operating with a heavily customised Microsoft NAV system. Although addressing specific business needs at the time, these customisations, many relating to a phased-out product group, were resulting in recurring problems. The business needed to upgrade how it managed its transportation processes and recognised an integrated solution would provide better options. Additionally, the current system’s reporting capability could not provide the dynamic, intelligent insights the business would need to move forward.

OMEX wanted to reevaluate its existing partner relationship, and a technology upgrade was an opportunity to bring in a new partner better aligned with its future goals. With Microsoft’s plans to phase out support for NAV, the business wanted to move to a cloud-first approach which would modernise its operations and improve efficiency.

Mark Armstrong, ICT Manager at The OMEX Group says, “Upgrading was also a key opportunity for us to explore the potential of new technologies such as AI with Copilot, Microsoft Fabric and Power Platform, all of which would help drive future growth.”

The Outcome

Seamless integrations

One of Business Central’s key advantages is its integrated apps and extensions which support OMEX’s business requirements across the whole remit of finance, sales, shipping, logistics and manufacturing.

The third-party TMS, CarLo, streamlines all aspects of OMEX’s transport planning operations, while the shipping app automates processes such as loading lorries, weighing them and tracking their departure at unmanned sites.

Mark highlights, “Previously, logistics such as stock management had become more challenging due to the limitations of the older system. Power Apps will also enhance stock delivery processes, allowing our drivers to instantly record deliveries, ensuring accurate and up-to-date tracking of stock.”

Streamlining warehouse operations with barcode scanning app Tasklet Mobile WMS, means OMEX gets real-time updates and visibility into its warehouse processes. Staff track inventory movements, record production outputs and manage production orders directly through handheld devices, significantly improving efficiency and eliminating the need to input data back at the office.

Document management has also been integrated into Business Central with Continia’s Document Capture functionality which scans documents, simplifying large datasets into single-line entries to improve data accuracy and reduce the need for manual entry.

Transformative end-to-end efficiencies

With Business Central, OMEX has simplified its operations, improved data accuracy and laid the groundwork for future technological advancements.

“The project has been a great success and we’re happy about where the business is now. But what I’m really excited about is the potential for even more operational efficiency using new technologies going forward into the future. I believe with the technology we have in place, we are well positioned to continue helping farmers grow quality crops and to offer innovative products,” emphasises Mark. “We’re now looking forward to sharing this success with OMEX Agrifluids and OMEX Environmental as we roadmap their pathway to digital success with Business Central in the near future.”