Case Studies
Mark Hebert, President and CEO of Cosmo Music, Richmond Hill, ON
We have been working with Debbie Breuls and her team for close to 30 years and when we made the decision to move to Microsoft Dynamics Finance & Supply Chain, she was not only the logical choice as our implementation partner, but then became THE MOST integral component for us throughout the entire process. Debbie’s approach of keeping us in a crawl, walk, run mentality was crucial given the capabilities of the D365 ecosystem and our desires to maximize everything it can do as quickly as possible.
During our discussions, it was understood that our current ERP software was very outdated, not supported, and so drastically modified that it would certainly be catastrophic if the system went down, so it made perfect sense to start with the ERP as Phase I. Phase II would include enhancing our Sales, Customer Service and Marketing as we knew there was going to be new features available to us in the new ERP that we did not have before.
Debbie was very clear that this was not going to be fun and used her “clock” analogy; at 3:00 we would hate many things, at 6:00 it would be less of a hate stage, but getting to understand how things worked together, and by 9:00, we would start to see the fruits of our efforts and expected outcomes, and by 12:00, we would once again appreciate their team and the new system.
These implementation projects are not easy to undertake. They take away from day-to-day operations, are difficult on staff, key subject matter experts spend countless hours laying out “day in the life” scenarios to the project team, many hours are used for meetings and there can never be enough testing using the “what if” scenarios that Debbie helped us create. The ultimate result is to go live, and following the process created and guided by Debbie’s team is what got us to this goal line.
Without Debbie, we could not have navigated everything that went on throughout the project’s cycle. Her unbelievable level of honesty and integrity in her approach to customers and her projects is what has drawn us to Debbie throughout all of our IT and ERP journeys and is what will continue to ensure our engagement with Debbie for years to come.
Some of the milestones that we have already achieved and are next on our radar with F&O include:
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Faster/live month-end completions compared to our previous ERP
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Less errors and system functionality issues
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Much more detailed and scalable levels of reporting
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Faster transactional speeds for accounting and Warehouse Management functions
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Field Service
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Customer Sales & Service
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Customer Insights & Marketing
"We look forward to continuing our Microsoft implementations with Debbie Breuls & Associates Inc. and would have no hesitation to refer her team to anyone looking to implement MS Dynamics into their business environments. We do not believe that there is anyone in the Canadian market who is more qualified, dedicated, and worthwhile engaging than Debbie!"
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- Mark Herbert
Waterloo Biofilter
When Waterloo Biofilter Systems Inc. embarked on the journey of building a new Shopify website integrated with our ERP system, Business Central, we knew we needed a partner with deep technical expertise and a proven track record of delivering custom solutions.
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Debbie Breuls & Associates (DBA) not only managed the complex project but also helped us navigate the unique challenges that arose when working with a custom business model. Their experience, technical prowess, and hands-on approach helped us create a seamless e-commerce solution that elevated our business operations. This case study highlights how their exceptional project management and tailored solutions made all the difference.
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DBA took a hands-on approach to the project, overseeing the entire process from start to finish. Their team of consultants and specialists worked tirelessly to solve complex problems, manage multiple tasks, and keep the project on track.
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Comprehensive Project Management: DBA managed multiple consultants and experts, ensuring smooth collaboration across all teams. They provided regular status updates, addressed roadblocks proactively, and kept us in the loop throughout the project.
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Custom Business Solutions: Recognizing the need for customization, DBA went beyond standard solutions and developed tailored features that addressed our unique business requirements. Whether it was custom workflows, inventory management rules, or specific reporting capabilities, their team created a solution that fit like a glove.
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Seamless Integration with Business Central: Connecting Shopify to Business Central was no small feat, but DBAs' experience with both platforms ensured a smooth integration. They synchronized product data, stock levels, pricing, and customer information across the systems, allowing for real-time updates and error-free order fulfillment.
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Handling Roadblocks: As with any project of this scale, we encountered several roadblocks—particularly around ensuring that our custom business processes worked seamlessly within the Shopify platform. DBA didn’t just identify the problems but also provided timely and effective solutions, ensuring that no issue went unresolved. Their attention to detail and technical know-how allowed us to push through each hurdle and keep the project moving forward.
Debbie Breuls & Associates played a pivotal role in the success of our Shopify website integration with Business Central. Their deep understanding of both platforms, along with their ability to customize solutions to fit our unique business model, has helped us achieve a more efficient and scalable operation.
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"Their exceptional project management and ability to handle complex roadblocks ensured that our business was never held back by technical challenges. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner, and we are confident that DBA will continue to be an integral part of our e-commerce and growth plans going forward."
- Jackie
Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan
Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan engaged with Debbie Breuls’ team to transfer excel data into Power BI, for more efficient way to analyze data and reporting. To achieve this, Debbie connected our team with experts in Power BI for implementation and training.
The primary goals of the project were:
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To develop Power BI reports tailored to the organization’s needs.
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To train staff on how to use Power BI and how to effectively using these reports.
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To enhance overall efficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Scope of Work
The engagement was structured into several key phases:
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Consultation & Needs Assessment – Initial meetings were held to understand Foundations Learning’s specific data management challenges and reporting requirements.
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Data Consolidation & Report Development – Relevant data was compiled, structured, and integrated into Power BI reports designed for usability and efficiency.
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Training & Implementation – Customized training sessions were conducted to equip the team with the necessary skills to navigate and utilize the Power BI reports effectively.
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Ongoing Support – After the project’s completion, continued support was provided, addressing queries and assisting managers as they adapted to the new system.
Results & Impact
This project has improved in Foundations Learning’s data management capabilities. Although staff are still learning how to use Power BI, we know that the implementation of Power BI reports will streamline reporting processes, allowing for better decision-making and operational efficiency.
Key outcomes included:
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Improved Data Accessibility – Managers now have real-time insights through interactive dashboards.
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Enhanced Efficiency – Reduced manual data handling and reporting time.
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Empowered Staff – Staff gained confidence in using Power BI for data analysis and reporting.
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Sustained Support – The ongoing assistance from Debbie Breuls’ team ensured a smooth transition and effective adoption of the new system.
"Debbie Breuls and her team demonstrated professionalism and expertise throughout our project. They were knowledgeable and patient during training as our staff transitioned to a new system. Even after the project's completion, they have continued to provide ongoing support, ensuring a smooth and confident adoption of the new tools. We are overall pleased with the work completed, training, and their commitment to our success."
