A clear view: The upgrade to Business Central for De Smaele Glas

Since 1948, De Smaele Glass a fixed value in the Belgian glass sector. Today, the third generation is at the helm of the family business, which, with a team of 16 employees, provides customized flat glass every day. From custom mirrors and kitchen walls to exterior glass and efficient renovations: everything is custom-made in our own studio.

Getting stuck with outdated software

De Smaele worked with an outdated version of Navision for years, but when the system no longer received updates or support and new integrations such as Peppol were not possible, there was a clear need for a future-proof solution.

For De Smaele's management, splitting the operational and accounting processes across different platforms was not a forward-looking solution. They needed an integrated approach where everything was under one roof.

The solution: an integrated, future-proof approach

De Smaele chose Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central as an integrated solution that brings both their operational processes and finances together and prepares the company for the future.

Prior to implementation, after a short concept study that only a little customization was required; only a specific calculation module for the glass industry was added to meet their unique price structure and customer profiles.

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Implementation: a structured transition

The project started in early September and barely four months later, in January, the new system was fully operational, a very fast and successful implementation.

Thanks to the thoughtful train-the-trainer approach the transition went remarkably smoothly. The knowledge was shared internally, so that the team quickly became familiar with the new way of working. The reactions were unanimously positive: employees see the system as a real step forward.

Today, orders, purchases and all core processes are streamlined within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The integrated approach provides more overview, good cooperation and clear professionalization throughout the company.

Efficiency gains and faster billing

Thanks to Peppol's integration into Business Central, billing is now much faster and completely digital. This saves the team hours of work every week and makes the administration a lot more efficient.

A partnership that makes a difference

The cooperation with BizzTrax played a key role in the success of this process. Thanks to the personal approach and close cooperation, the IT project at De Smaele Glas was not only successfully rolled out, but also widely supported within the team.

We worked with one fixed point of contact, which ensured clear communication and short decision lines. In addition, BizzTrax's flexibility made it possible to quickly adjust the schedule in case of unexpected circumstances, such as illness during the deployment phase.

“The personal guidance really made the difference. We had one fixed point of contact and were able to switch quickly. Even when the schedule had to be adjusted due to illness, it was taken care of flexibly and professionally. That gave me confidence.” Nina - business manager De Smaele Glas

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Looking to the future together

De Smaele is now taking full advantage of a stable and efficient system and sees many opportunities to get even more out of Business Central in the future. The foundations have been laid.

“Everything in one package was crucial for us. And we succeeded.”
‍Nina Van de Vyver - business manager De Smaele Glas

The implementation may be complete, but the digital evolution is just beginning. But one thing is clear: De Smaele Glas has taken the step with confidence and with an eye to the future.

📩 Do you have questions or want to know what Business Central can do for your SME?

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