Simplanova has helped GWS save valuable time and resources. The flexibility of outsourcing tasks allowed GWS to avoid unnecessary internal resource strain, while the added expertise and scalability helped the company stay on track with its ambitious project goals. The efficiency gains meant that GWS could focus more on strategic planning and customer-focused innovation rather than managing the complexities of development in-house.
CLIENT OVERVIEW
GWS, founded in 1992, has combined technological expertise with strong business know-how. With around 30 years of experience, it is now one of the key players in the field of ERP systems for retail and wholesale in Germany. As a Microsoft Partner and Global ISV Partner, GWS stands for excellent quality and customer service.
CHALLENGES FACED BY GWS
GWS has been successfully providing solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics Business Central for many years. Their expertise lies in the wholesale sector, covering various specializations such as building materials trade, technical wholesale, and industrial supply trade, among others.
In addition to offering a traditional on-premise version, GWS has been providing its customers with a modular SaaS solution for several years. This solution is accessible via Microsoft AppSource and represents a complete redevelopment. The goal of this new solution is to rethink and redefine the specific needs of the trade sector, implementing them using cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in a competitive market.
The complexity and scale of this project presented significant challenges, including the need for rapid development cycles, maintaining high quality, and addressing a wide range of customer requirements. To meet these demands effectively, GWS decided to collaborate with an experienced development partner who could bring expertise, scalability, and efficiency to the project – this is where Simplanova became an essential ally.
GWS initiated the project by working with multiple partners and exploring different collaboration models to identify the best fit for their needs. Through this process, it became evident that Simplanova stood out due to its ability to provide not only highly skilled development teams but also the flexibility to adapt to customer’s unique requirements.
Simplanova’s capability to offer different engagement models allowed us to customize the partnership to fit our workflows and project needs.
One of the key differentiators was the communication structure. Simplanova assigned dedicated points of contact for our teams, who were directly involved in development coordination. This approach ensured clarity, reduced overhead, and facilitated swift decision-making, making the collaboration highly productive and efficient. Additionally, their proactive attitude in resolving challenges and suggesting improvements made them a valued partner in the development process.
KEY BENEFITS OF THE SIMPLANOVA PARTNERSHIP
According to GWS, the collaboration with Simplanova has brought several significant advantages to their organization:
- Access to expertise: Finding highly qualified developers in the current job market is incredibly challenging. Simplanova provides access to skilled professionals who bring in-depth knowledge and experience in Microsoft Dynamics solutions.
- Scalability: During this investment phase, GWS faced a substantial increase in personnel needs due to the project’s scope. Simplanova enabled them to scale our development efforts without the need for permanent staff expansion, keeping their long-term personnel costs in check.
- Time savings: By outsourcing approximately one-third of our development tasks to Simplanova, GWS was able to reduce the workload on their internal teams significantly. This allowed them to focus on core functionalities, innovation, and strategic planning.
COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT TEAM STRUCTURE
For over two years, a team of Simplanova Dynamics NAV / 365 Business Central Developers has been dedicated to GWS development tasks. With steady growth over time, the team now consists of seven developers, including a Team Lead, one senior developer, three mid-level developers, and two junior developers. The Team Lead’s role includes assigning tasks to team members, managing workloads, overseeing quality, mentoring junior developers, and supporting team development. Additionally, the Team Lead actively participates in development work.
The Developer role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, primarily focused on development. Depending on the specific task, this may include:
- Implementing integrations
- Conducting analyses
- Developing new features
- Developing and applying hotfixes
The team is not focused on a single project but rather on the development and maintenance of multiple solutions. These solutions are then handed over to a different team for implementation in various projects, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing support for GWS’s evolving needs.
When asked about recommending Simplanova to colleagues or partners, Achim Scheuss, Senior Director at GWS, had this to say:
Absolutely, I would. Simplanova has proven to be a reliable, flexible, and high-quality partner throughout our collaboration. Their ability to adapt to our unique needs, provide scalable solutions, and maintain consistent communication has been invaluable.
CONCLUSION
The successful collaboration between GWS and Simplanova has been an important factor in GWS’s ability to scale its development efforts, maintain high-quality standards, and meet the demands of its growing customer base. By partnering with Simplanova, GWS was able to efficiently navigate the complexities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central development while keeping personnel costs in check and ensuring that its internal teams could focus on the most strategic aspects of the business. This partnership has not only met the immediate development needs but also laid a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation.
The Case Study was prepared together with Achim Scheuss, Senior Director at GWS & Thomas Junglas, Senior Director Marketing at GWS.
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