In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, modern manufacturing enterprises are under constant pressure to operate faster, more intelligently, and with greater transparency across all facets of their operations. Despite this, many organizations still grapple with outdated systems, fragmented data, and manual processes that hinder efficiency and increase compliance risks. To tackle these challenges, Cherrie Business Solutions collaborated with a manufacturing company to revolutionize its operations using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (F&O).
This transformative initiative focused on three key areas: ERP automation, supply chain optimization, and data intelligence. All these elements were seamlessly integrated into a cloud-based ecosystem designed to enhance agility, visibility, and overall performance.
The Challenge: Complex Processes and Limited Visibility
The client managed an extensive production and distribution network where precision, speed, and compliance were critical. However, the organization was weighed down by outdated processes heavily reliant on manual data entries and disconnected reporting tools.
Financial teams experienced significant delays in approving invoices due to paper-based workflows and redundant validation tasks. Similarly, warehouse personnel struggled with inadequate access to real-time inventory data, leading to inefficiencies in picking, dispatching, and stock reconciliation. In the highly regulated food industry, compliance reporting posed another challenge—it required days of manual data aggregation and verification.
These operational hurdles compromised consistency, made it difficult to satisfy global audit standards, and impeded the company’s ability to scale effectively across its production sites. The organization recognized that implementing a modernized ERP system was crucial for maintaining growth while preserving product quality and ensuring traceability.
Intelligent Automation and Unified Operations
Cherrie Business Solutions developed and executed a strategic modernization plan centered around Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations. This solution replaced manual, paper-driven processes with intelligent, automated workflows that connected various functions, including finance, procurement, warehouse management, and compliance reporting..
1. ERP Performance Optimization
The initial phase of the project centered on re-engineering essential ERP workflows to remove manual bottlenecks and boost overall performance.
Cherrie revamped critical data flows and automated high-frequency batch operations within Dynamics 365 F&O. These enhancements not only increased system responsiveness but also significantly improved traceability.
Key outcomes for the client included:
- A 60% reduction in inventory trace reporting time
- Full lot traceability achieved in under five seconds
These advancements empowered supply chain managers with real-time oversight of materials, allowing for quicker root cause analysis during product recalls or compliance audits. Furthermore, automating background processes relieved IT and operations teams of labor-intensive manual reconciliations, increasing efficiency across departments.
2.Warehouse Automation Using Power Apps
Understanding that efficient warehouse operations are vital to optimizing supply chain performance, Cherrie introduced a mobile solution powered by Power Apps, seamlessly integrated with Dynamics 365 F&O.
This mobile application enables barcode and RFID scanning to immediately record every movement of goods within the system. It further enhances processes by providing real-time validation for tasks such as picking, packing, and inventory transfers, eliminating the need for manual paper-based forms and replacing them with digital confirmations.
Key results included:
- A 30% increase in warehouse picking accuracy
- Substantial decrease in paper consumption
- Instant tracking of goods movement across facilities
With intuitive mobile interfaces and real-time dashboards, warehouse teams achieved improved accuracy, faster workflows, and heightened accountability in their operations.
3. Accounts Payable Automation with OCR Integration
To enhance financial processes, Cherrie implemented a secure Optical Character Recognition (OCR) solution designed to automate invoice processing and seamlessly integrate with Dynamics 365 F&O.
This advanced OCR system efficiently captures data from both purchase order (PO) and non-PO invoices, validates critical information such as vendor name, amount, date, and line items, and transfers the verified details into the ERP system for streamlined review and approval.
Key outcomes of this automation included:
- A 60% reduction in manual data entry
- Invoice processing time reduced from seven days to three
- Improved accuracy and minimized compliance risks
The finance team now reallocates their efforts toward strategic analysis and vendor management instead of repetitive administrative tasks. This shift has accelerated financial closing cycles and strengthened supplier relationships, delivering a more efficient and dynamic operational framework.
4. Real-Time Reporting, Compliance, and Analytics
To provide leadership with continuous visibility into business performance, Cherrie integrated , Power BI, and Azure Synapse Analytics into its ERP ecosystem.
This integration facilitated:
- Automated document generation using standardized templates via Docentric
- Interactive Power BI dashboards offering insights into financials, inventory, and production
- Centralized data analytics powered by Azure Synapse, supporting trend forecasting and informed decision-making
By eliminating data silos, these tools provided stakeholders with a unified operational overview. Compliance audits that previously took days to prepare can now be completed in mere hours, thanks to real-time traceability and automated report generation.
The Results: Enhanced Operations with Increased Speed, Accuracy, and Connectivity
The transformation brought significant and sustainable advancements across all key business areas:
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Inventory trace reports became 60% faster, providing immediate visibility during audits and product recalls.
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Warehouse precision improved by 30%, powered by mobile automation and RFID scanning technology.
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Accounts Payable processes required 60% less manual effort, thanks to OCR-enabled automated invoice capture.
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Real-time insights were achieved through analytics and Power BI dashboards, covering finance, inventory, and production.
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A unified ERP framework fostered seamless collaboration among finance, supply chain, and warehouse operations.
Through the integration of intelligent automation and advanced data analytics, the client transitioned into a connected, data-centric organization equipped for efficient scalability, regulatory compliance, and quick adaptation to evolving market demands.
Behind the Solution: Secure and Scalable Architecture
The achievement of this project hinged on Cherrie’s engineering expertise in crafting a secure and scalable integration framework. This framework seamlessly connects Dynamics 365 F&O with both third-party tools and Microsoft-native solutions, such as OCR, Power Apps, Power BI, and Azure Synapse Analytics.
The system is designed to manage substantial volumes of financial and supply chain transactions with complete transparency, offering built-in features that include:
- Custom logging and exception handling
- Real-time monitoring and audit trails
- End-to-end data consistency across modules
This robust architecture empowers the organization to process thousands of invoices and transactions monthly without compromising performance. It ensures precision, compliance, and scalability—cornerstones for achieving sustained digital success.
Conclusion
This transformation highlights how Cherrie Business Solutions empowers manufacturing enterprises to harness automation, intelligence, and enhanced visibility using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.
By transitioning from fragmented systems and manual processes to a cohesive digital platform, the organization has achieved unprecedented levels of efficiency and adaptability. Technologies like Power Apps, OCR automation, Power BI, and Azure Synapse Analytics now power its operations, fostering real-time collaboration and ongoing improvements.
The collaboration between Cherrie and the client underscores that genuine digital transformation goes beyond implementing new software. It is about reimagining workflows, empowering teams, and building a connected enterprise driven by data-informed decisions.
With Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O serving as its digital foundation, the company is now strategically positioned for sustainable growth, regulatory excellence, and a robust, future-ready supply chain — operating faster, smarter, and more seamlessly than ever before.