Golden Compound GmbH, based in Holdorf, is an innovative specialist in biocomposite materials, focusing on the production and recycling of products made from sunflower seed shells. With only ten employees and a strong commitment to sustainability, the company manufactures a diverse range of products through contract manufacturing, where raw materials are supplied while production is carried out by external partners.
CLIENT: Golden Compound GmbH
INDUSTRY: Bioplastics
PROJECT: Implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
SOLUTIONS: Configuration, data migration, and training within the Business Central standard
TECHNOLOGIES: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, third-party add-ons, Microsoft Power Automate
The main challenge was to map the complex production process in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central standard. The company outsources the manufacture of plant pots and coffee capsules made from its biomaterials. Golden Compound provides the material, while production is carried out by external partners. This special feature requires careful consideration and mapping of all costs incurred – such as transport costs, customs duties and production costs – in order to determine the final cost price of an item completely and accurately.
Another key objective was to increase transparency and reduce dependency on Excel-based calculations while avoiding costly custom developments. This demanded a thorough analysis of business processes and strategic utilization of Business Central’s built-in capabilities. The movement of a product through both the physical production chain and the ERP system had to be accurately mapped to ensure that all costs and logistics were properly accounted for.
The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central allowed Golden Compound to fully integrate its business processes into the ERP standard configuration. Following a comprehensive process analysis, the system was configured, data was migrated, and employees received targeted training. Complex scenarios, such as contract manufacturing, were successfully incorporated into Business Central through precise system configurations. The software provided clear visibility into product manufacturing costs and cost prices, eliminating the need for manual Excel calculations.
For specific requirements, such as automating approval workflows before product creation, Microsoft Power Automate was utilized. This enabled efficient workflow automation without the need for custom development. Additionally, certified add-ons from the Microsoft App Store were integrated, extending Business Central’s standard features while ensuring system stability through regular compatibility checks.
Within just two months, most processes were successfully live and operational. Financial accounting was implemented in parallel and has been continuously optimized. This project demonstrates that a comprehensive and sustainable ERP implementation is possible by fully leveraging standard Microsoft technologies and tools.
