"We pride ourselves on technically led solutions and do a lot of innovation to develop different solutions for our customers – providing the most efficient, effective, and highly sustainable outcomes."
Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer of Origin Enterprises
The story of Origin Enterprises began in 1839, providing essential supplies and inputs to Irish agriculture. In the years since, Origin Enterprises has evolved and expanded, continuing to help stakeholders achieve more, but now spans 27 businesses across two continents – a testament to over a century of commitment to innovation, sustainability and partnership. Origin is now a global force, helping farmers, landowners and businesses around the world to maximise the potential of their land while protecting it for future generations.
"Our core business goal is to champion sustainable land use."
Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer of Origin Enterprises
Choosing Columbus and Microsoft Dynamics 365
“We'd been using Microsoft AX since 2011. That had reached a point where it was end-of-life. The principal goal was to replace that platform with one that future-proofs the business.”
Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer of Origin Enterprises
With a broad portfolio of businesses, operating varied business models with customer-led seasonal demands, Origin found its Microsoft AX solution had reached end-of-life and therefore could not enable the future innovation that would be required.
“We were looking for innovative opportunities within each business where we could improve business processes, customer service, and give us an overall better platform to support our business into the future,” says Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer of Origin Enterprises.
- Manufacturing
- United Kingdom
- Case
- Finance & Supply chain
- Enterprise Information Management
Challenge
A key challenge for Origin Enterprises was the seasonality of its work, with a busy peak season starting in early spring, leaving a tight timeframe for implementation. When the company reached out to Columbus, Origin felt its current implementation approach was challenged to achieve a winter go-live in its largest business – especially considering the complexities of its business requirements.
About Origin Enterprises
Origin Enterprises PLC is dedicated to championing sustainable land use and providing a holistic range of solutions to help customers unlock the full potential of their land. From optimising agricultural fields to nurturing ecological environments and perfecting recreational spaces, Origin delivers expert advice, leading products and services, and innovative technologies to help every customer thrive.
The scale of change for Origin Enterprises was huge, with its services spanning thousands of farms and agricultural hectares throughout the UK and Ireland alone. The company needed a partner to help them update its solution to meet growing demands.
“Columbus was our implementation partner during our original AX rollout. We were aware of their strong presence in the UK and deep experience in manufacturing. We didn’t just want someone to implement what was in the SOW [statement of work]. We needed a partner who could problem-solve with us. That collaborative approach was key.”
“It was reassuring to see a lot of the same faces again. We were really challenged around timeframes – this needed to work. The Columbus team were able to rebuild that rapport.”
Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer of Origin Enterprises
Solving Origin’s seasonality challenges
A key challenge for Origin Enterprises was the seasonality of its work, with a busy peak season starting in early spring, leaving a tight timeframe for implementation. When the company reached out to Columbus, Origin felt its current implementation approach was challenged to achieve a winter go-live in its largest business – especially considering the complexities of its business requirements.
Origin Enterprises’ IT Director for UK & Ireland, Luke Bayston, explains: “There are quite different requirements between our businesses – B2B versus B2C, internal haulage versus external haulage, and different commercial arrangements with both our suppliers and customers. If you were to look at that heatmap, it was a very complex solution we had to work through.”
Steve Weaver, Head of UK Architects at Columbus, who collaborated with Origin Enterprises on the implementation project, adds: “Even within Agrii UK [Origin Enterprises’ UK agronomy services business], there were multi-brands, multi business units – seed, fertiliser, crop protection for example – all within the same legal entity in D365 FO and CE. With that complexity, we had a timeline of effectively seven months. It was a busy seven months, but we got the solution live on time.”
Derek Wilson praised Columbus’ dedication to meeting the challenging timeframe: “Columbus understood how we operate and our constraints, particularly around seasonality. They knew if we missed those deadlines, they’d slip by up to six months. From the first engagement, it was clear they would do everything in their power to make sure we hit those dates.”
“It was vitally important to go live in those winter windows. And we did – that was our core objective.”
Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer of Origin Enterprises
Outcomes of a successful launch
Despite complex logistics, seasonal deadlines and multi-entity structures, Origin Enterprises Dynamics 365 implementation went live on time and with the functionality required. Here are some of the key successes since launch:
Streamlined logistics
By leveraging the transport management functionality within D365F&SCM, we delivered tailored solutions to optimise logistics across Origin Enterprises businesses. For example, embedding Google Maps into the load planning screens has created a fully integrated transport management system, while utilising Google’s APIs allows real-time route plotting, accurate mileage reporting, and smarter planning.
Faster decision-making
A unified platform means Origin Enterprises teams can now rely on real-time, standardised information when making strategic decisions. Combined with embedded mapping and accurate mileage reporting, decision-making is now proactive and driven by up-to-date information – whether that’s planning efficient transport routes, scheduling dispatches, or managing field services.
Elimination of manual tasks
The adoption of OCR (optical character recognition) technologies and signature recognition allows haulier purchase orders to be automatically processed directly from mailboxes and released for payment – an efficient move to streamline supplier payment cycles, cut down admin time, and reduce human error. Similarly, field workers can now capture and sync data live, reducing the need for additional paperwork.
Better ESG reporting
With D365 providing a single source of truth across Origin Enterprises businesses, data collection for regulatory and ESG reporting is now automated and standardised – reducing errors, ensuring compliance, and improving environmental accountability.
Significant process improvements
Replacing AX with D365 has streamlined processes and created standardisation across the group – but the solution still allows business-specific requirements to be met. For instance, Agrii UK have replaced a heavily customised system with Field Service, which enables Agronomists to synchronise data live from the field – significantly streamlining reporting processes.
“Within Agrii UK’s logistics and transport planning, we’ve seen significant process improvement, elimination of manual tasks, and better clarity of information and timelines,” says Derek Wilson.
“We’ve seen numerous benefits in the measurement and reporting of our ESG metrics. D365 has been a huge benefit in capturing the information we need to support this.”
Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer of Origin Enterprises
Collaborating with Columbus long-term
“I’m happy we made the decision to work with Columbus again. The feedback from my team has been very positive.”
Luke Bayston, IT Director UK & Ireland at Origin Enterprises
Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer at Origin Enterprises explains what made Columbus the preferred implementation and support partner for Origin: “Columbus had the formality you’d expect from a large SI (systems integrator), but the day-to-day engagement was much more agile.
“We had weekly calls with the programme director, head of consulting and the commercial director. Having worked with a number of SIs, that level of seniority and commitment was a clear demonstration of Columbus’ buy-in to what we were trying to achieve. That ‘fix-forward’ mentality and speed of decision-making were a perfect fit for our compressed timeline.”
Derek Wilson elaborates on how Columbus and Origin Enterprises are continuing to work together post-implementation: “We have a support contract with Columbus and that’s working extremely well. We’re now doing two product updates of D365 a year and Columbus are heavily involved in both of those.”
“For any manufacturing or distribution business in the UK or Ireland considering Dynamics 365 solutions – I would recommend Columbus without hesitation.”
Derek Wilson, Chief Information Officer of Origin Enterprises
About Columbus
Columbus is a consultancy company helping organisations drive business value by defining, executing, and evolving the entire business. By delivering digital value through human intelligence, we enable our customers to innovate and grow. With more than 1,500 employees, we guide our customers through their digital transformation and deliver lasting value within the manufacturing, retail and distribution, food, and life sciences industries. We advise, implement, and manage business-critical solutions within Cloud Services, ERP, Data & AI, Digital Commerce, Business Process Automation, Enterprise Information Management, Cybersecurity and more. With headquarters in Denmark and a global presence, we ensure local delivery of our services on a global scale.
