Moving from legacy systems to more consistent processes
AVIRE provides trusted communication and safety systems for lifts, buildings, and public spaces. AVIRE was formed by bringing together several businesses in the safety sector within Halma plc. As a result, different parts of the organisation were operating on separate ERP systems and following inconsistent processes.
The challenges varied depending on region. In the US, production and picking processes were primarily paper-based, while in Europe planning capabilities were limited, making it harder for teams to collaborate across the organisation. Data was also difficult to retrieve from different ERP systems, leading to delays in reporting.
“There was no upgrade path for our existing ERP systems,” says Charmaine Papas, Head of Business Applications at AVIRE. “It was an on-prem solution, so whichever route we took, we knew it would require a reimplementation. We wanted an ERP that could support multiple workstreams across the business.”
Selecting an ERP platform and a partner with shared values
AVIRE wanted a platform that was intuitive, flexible and able to support future growth. With the wider Microsoft ecosystem already used across the Halma group, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management was selected as the right fit. “We liked the usability of Microsoft products and the flexibility of the wider Microsoft stack,” explains Charmaine. “The platform can be extended through ISVs, Power Platform and Power Apps, and we’re now seeing more capabilities through Copilot and AI. We saw that the platform could grow with us as an organisation.”
Finding the right implementation partner was equally important. AVIRE evaluated potential partners based on factors such as project approach, available resources and ability to complement its internal expertise. “We didn’t want a partner to come in and take over. We wanted someone we could have honest conversations with, who would help develop our internal teams and work alongside us throughout the project. Columbus aligned with our core values and the way we wanted to work,” says Charmaine.
Working together to deliver a phased ERP implementation
The project followed a collaborative, phased approach, with AVIRE and Columbus working across teams in the UK, Czech Republic and US:
- AVIRE and Columbus teams met on site to understand how the business operated and where manufacturing processes differed across locations.
- Both teams worked together to define requirements, create user stories and identify where standard functionality could be used and where additional development was needed.
- Risks, issues, change requests, tasks and testing were managed through DevOps, a shared platform for tracking project activity, giving both teams a clear view of progress throughout the programme.
- A core solution was developed for use across AVIRE’s legal entities, with the US rollout prioritised before implementation began in Europe.
- AVIRE created an internal super-user network to support testing, communication and adoption across the business as the solution was rolled out.
“I’m a big advocate of DevOps and making sure all project activity is captured there. It played a big part in the success because it gave us full traceability across the whole project,” says Charmaine. “We also had a big learning curve internally, so both sides had to adapt along the way. But we worked through those challenges together and were able to deliver the project on time and on budget.”
Improving production visibility, strengthening reporting and reducing manual processes
With Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management now live across AVIRE’s global operations, the business is already seeing operational improvements as it continues to refine the solution:
- Stronger production reporting: AVIRE is continuing to develop a suite of Power BI reports that provide greater visibility of production activity, including material shortages and demand levels. This helps the business identify potential problems earlier and respond before they affect production planning or its ability to meet demand.
- Significant reduction in manual processes: Paper-based processes have been reduced across AVIRE’s operations. For example, production teams in the US now use terminals to start and stop production and handheld scanners for material picking, while wider use of scanning in the Czech Republic is helping improve stock control and visibility.
- Increased visibility across the business: Information that was previously held in spreadsheets or by individual employees is now easier for teams to access, helping them see activity across operations and understand the reasons behind issues more quickly.
- More opportunities for continuous improvement: Better visibility is helping AVIRE identify where processes can be simplified, how remaining manual steps can be reduced and which areas could benefit from further automation.
“Having the data gives us a much clearer understanding of what’s happening across the business and why,” says Charmaine. “It’s also helping us identify where we can improve processes and automate more as we continue to develop the solution.”
Preparing for the next stage of transformation
The ERP implementation forms part of AVIRE’s wider technology transformation. With the new system in place, the business is focusing on developing its capabilities and supporting employees as they adapt to new ways of working. “We’ve got people using the system, but the next step is helping them understand the information it provides and how to make better use of it,” explains Charmaine.
AVIRE is also planning a CRM project and considering other technologies, including product lifecycle management (PLM), to further support its operations. “We want more technology supporting our day-to-day processes to help us maintain compliance and control, as well as our quality standards and certifications,” adds Charmaine.
A partnership built on openness and collaboration
AVIRE and Columbus have built a strong partnership based on open communication and a shared commitment to delivering the project.
We’ve enjoyed a good working relationship with Columbus and we expect that to continue. We particularly value the flexibility of the partnership and how the team has adapted to the challenges we’ve faced together. We also speak highly of Columbus and regularly recommend them to other companies within the Halma group.
– Charmaine Papas, Head of Business Applications at AVIRE
For Charmaine, the ability to have honest conversations between both teams has been an important part of the relationship. “We knew we weren’t going to get everything right when delivering a major transformation like this. What matters is how we've navigated those challenges together, and that’s what demonstrates the strength of our partnership. We’ve always been able to speak openly, support each other and work towards a common goal.”
