After their legacy ERP reached end of life, GBP attempted a standard implementation of Microsoft Dynamics to align with their parent company. However, the rigid nature of the off-the-shelf software could not support the unique, highly complex workflows GBP had perfected over 30 years. The implementation failed, forcing a full reversion to an unsupported legacy system. GBP needed a solution that could handle their specific manufacturing reality without the communication gaps common in traditional enterprise software projects.
Business Need: After their legacy ERP reached end of life, GBP attempted a standard implementation of Microsoft Dynamics to align with their parent company. However, the rigid nature of the off-the-shelf software could not support the unique, highly complex workflows GBP had perfected over 30 years. The implementation failed, forcing a full reversion to an unsupported legacy system. GBP needed a solution that could handle their specific manufacturing reality without the communication gaps common in traditional enterprise software projects.
Solution: Kinetech utilized Mendix to build a customized, end-to-end production management system that wraps around GBP’s proven processes rather than forcing them to change. Mobile First Control: We deployed responsive mobile interfaces for real-time warehouse operations, featuring barcode scanning and offline capabilities for inventory management in connectivity-challenged yards. Intelligent Orchestration: The system manages the entire lifecycle, from streamlined order processing to process-integrated quality testing and automated certificate generation. Enterprise Reliability: To ensure 99.95% uptime, the solution was built on AWS with high availability and automatic failover, providing the stability their previous implementation lacked.
Results: By choosing a custom low-code approach over a rigid product, GBP achieved theoretical efficiency, which is the maximum output possible for their specific workflow. The system provides seamless data flow into the parent company’s Dynamics 365 for unified financial reporting while maintaining the precision required on the shop floor. Kinetech’s iterative development and adaptive cutover methodology eliminated the fear of another system crash, resulting in total user adoption. GBP now owns a future-proof digital foundation that evolves with its business, protecting three decades of operational expertise. Full Case Study: https://www.kinetechcloud.com/case-studies/steel-manufacturing-from-erp-failure-to-digital-excellence