Recently, Ultra held a vendor briefing with Western Computer, a Microsoft Dynamics ERP partner and implementer, with headquarters in Oxnard, California. Ultra Partner, George Trudell led the discussion with Katherine Turner-Lawrence, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Western Computer. Also presenting during the briefing from Western Computer were Greg Williams, Microsoft NAV Practice Manager, and Perry Prescott, Senior Microsoft AX Presales Consultant.
Western Computer is a privately-held company, has been in business since 1986, includes over 150 certified professionals, and has conducted over 400 implementations. With clients on six continents around the globe, Western Computer’s project experience goes far beyond the United States. Their solutions expertise is with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, AX, and CRM, as well as application integration, Web development, and business intelligence.
Industry Knowledge and Target Markets
The majority of their industry focus is evenly split among manufacturing and distribution industries. Within manufacturing, their target markets include project-based, discrete, light process, and contract manufacturing. In distribution, their focus lies in the food and beverage, software, electronics, and soft and durable goods markets. Rounding out Western Computer’s clientele are projects in the service industries, including equipment rental, where they have partnered with a third-party rental system that is fully integrated into MS NAV, rental processing, and financial services, as well as AEC professional services.
There is deep product knowledge and experience with AX and NAV, and while Western Computer is industry-focused, they are working towards being more vertically-focused. There is good communication between Western Computer and the European market to identify ISV solutions that are currently not in the U.S.
Western Computer also assists customers in these markets who have already invested in Microsoft systems such as GP (Great Plains) or SL (Solomon), but are looking to make a change. Since such companies may want to protect their investment, Western Computer accounts for that with an investment credit towards the purchase of a NAV or AX ERP system. This is not an upgrade, per se, but does give the customer and Western Computer a leg up in moving toward a new system and in the competitive ERP marketplace, respectively.
Western Computer: To Microsoft Partner and Beyond
Western Computer’s relationship with Microsoft goes beyond the partner level, as they are in constant contact with them and collaborate on their marketing efforts and product strategy. They have been invited by Microsoft to its 2015 Inner Circle, and is one of only 60 partners worldwide to be recognized in the top Microsoft Dynamics Partners in the Microsoft global partner network. Additionally, Western Computer has been recognized as a finalist for the Microsoft Dynamics Reseller of the Year in the U.S.
Implementation, Hosting and Cloud Services
Dynamics AX is functionally rich and designed to be a complete solution for most modes of manufacturing with the product’s functional extensions. Due to its deep functionality, it does require more decisions during the implementation process, resulting in a longer deployment time and more resources. Dynamics NAV is an integrated ERP solution designed for discrete manufacturing, it will handle other modes with ISV add-ons, and has moderate to low cost for implementation and maintenance.
Both Dynamics NAV and Dynamics AX can be installed on local servers or hosted, and are available on the Azure cloud as well. Western Computer has been partnering for over 10 years with hosting providers who are familiar with Dynamics, and also offers choices of a full cloud ERP solution, or a hybrid combination.
Head over to the Western Computer website for more information.
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