⚡ The Challenge
This UK-based manufacturer had grown significantly but their technology hadn't kept pace. Multiple disconnected systems across production, sales, and service created data silos. Production scheduling relied on spreadsheets with no real-time visibility. Sales couldn't accurately quote delivery dates. Quality issues tracked on paper. Inventory levels often inaccurate. Field service technicians had no mobile access to work orders or parts information.
✓ Our Solution
We implemented a comprehensive solution using Dynamics 365 and Power Platform to unify data and processes across the organisation. This included real-time production dashboards, mobile data capture for shop floor, automated approval workflows, and integrated sales/production/service data.
Results
The Challenge
This UK manufacturer had been in business for over 30 years. They were excellent at making things. But their technology infrastructure was fragmented—spreadsheets for production scheduling, a separate system for sales, another for service. Data didn’t flow between systems. Critical information existed only on paper or in people’s heads.
Key Problems
The disconnected systems created cascading problems:
- Production scheduling relied on spreadsheets with no real-time visibility
- Sales couldn’t accurately quote delivery dates because they didn’t know actual production capacity
- Quality issues were tracked on paper, making root cause analysis nearly impossible
- Inventory levels were often inaccurate, leading to stockouts or excess inventory
- Field service technicians had no mobile access to work orders or parts information
- No integration between systems meant everything had to be manually entered multiple times
The result? Missed delivery dates, unhappy customers, and margins compressed by operational inefficiency.
The Problem Manifesting
On-time delivery was just 72%. Customers were frustrated. The company was losing repeat business because competitors could commit to delivery dates more confidently.
Quote turnaround was 5 days because sales had to manually check with production to see if manufacturing could hit a target date.
Inventory costs were 20% higher than they should be because the team couldn’t see real demand patterns across sales and production.
Our Approach
We didn’t implement five systems. We implemented one integrated platform using Dynamics 365 and Power Platform to unify data and processes.
The Solution Components
Unified Data Platform All production, sales, and service data in a single system. No more silos.
Real-Time Production Visibility Dashboard showing production status, bottlenecks, and capacity utilisation across all manufacturing lines.
Mobile Shop Floor Access Workers can capture data, view work instructions, and report issues directly from tablets on the shop floor.
Integrated Scheduling When sales quotes a delivery date, they can see real production capacity and commit with confidence.
Automated Quality Tracking Quality data captured digitally, enabling real-time issue identification and root cause analysis.
Predictive Insights AI-powered analytics help forecast demand, predict maintenance needs, and optimize production scheduling.
Implementation Approach
Week 1-3: Discovery & Design
- Process mapping and analysis
- Stakeholder interviews
- System assessment
- Opportunity identification
Week 4-7: Solution Architecture
- Solution architecture design
- Integration specifications
- User experience design
- Change management planning
Week 8-19: Implementation
- Core system configuration
- Custom app development
- Data migration
- Integration development
Week 20-22: Enablement & Go-Live
- User training programmes
- Documentation creation
- Go-live support
- Adoption monitoring
The Results
Within 6 months of go-live, the manufacturer saw significant improvements:
Production Delays: 30% reduction
Real-time visibility enabled identification and resolution of bottlenecks faster. What used to take 2-3 days to identify now takes hours.
On-Time Delivery: 25% improvement
Improved from 72% to 97%. Sales could now confidently quote delivery dates because they could see real production capacity.
Manual Data Entry: 40% reduction
Automated workflows and mobile data capture eliminated most manual data re-entry.
Inventory Costs: 20% decrease
Better visibility into demand patterns enabled more accurate inventory management.
Lead Time: 5 days down to 2 days
Sales quote turnaround time dropped dramatically because they had instant access to production capacity.
Quote Accuracy: Near 100%
No more surprises. If sales quoted a delivery date, production could meet it.
Key Benefits Delivered
Real-Time Production Visibility Complete visibility into production status, bottlenecks, and capacity utilisation across all manufacturing lines. Supervisors can identify and resolve issues within hours instead of days.
Unified Data Platform All production, sales, and service data in a single platform, eliminating data silos and manual reconciliation.
Mobile Shop Floor Access Workers can capture data, view work instructions, and report issues directly from tablets on the shop floor. No more waiting to reach a computer.
Predictive Insights AI-powered analytics help forecast demand, predict maintenance needs, and optimize production scheduling.
Improved Customer Service Sales and service teams have complete visibility into order status and can proactively communicate with customers. No more surprised customers.
Scalable Foundation Modern cloud platform that grows with the business and supports future digital initiatives.
What Made This Successful
1. Integration, Not Replacement
We didn’t replace their existing systems with a new system. We integrated everything so data flowed properly. That approach meant less training, less disruption, and faster adoption.
2. Mobile-First for Shop Floor
The team on the shop floor needed access to information without walking to a computer. Mobile apps on tablets made data entry instant.
3. Change Management Worked
Implementation success depends as much on people as technology. We invested heavily in training and support during the transition.
4. Quick Wins Built Momentum
Within 2 weeks, supervisors were using the new system to identify production bottlenecks. That visible success drove adoption across the team.
The Long-Term Impact
This manufacturer is now using the integrated platform as the backbone of operations. They’ve expanded beyond the initial scope to include:
- Predictive maintenance (identifying equipment failures before they happen)
- Advanced scheduling (optimizing production flow)
- Supply chain integration (coordinating with suppliers based on real demand)
- Quality analytics (tracking quality metrics across all products)
They recently told us they couldn’t imagine running the business the old way now. The system isn’t just a tool—it’s how they operate.
Quote From the Client
“Kompound understood our manufacturing challenges from day one. They didn’t just implement technology - they helped us reimagine how we operate. The results speak for themselves: we’re delivering on time, our teams have the data they need, and we’re positioned for the next phase of growth.”
— Operations Director, UK Manufacturing Company
The Bottom Line
For manufacturers, production visibility and operational efficiency aren’t luxuries—they’re competitive necessities. By integrating systems and putting data in the hands of people who need it, this company transformed from a business that missed delivery dates to one customers trust to deliver on time.
That transformation came from technology, but it was built on the foundation of understanding their business, respecting their existing investments, and ensuring their teams had the tools they actually needed.
