ERP-implementation for Defrancq Group

About Defrancq Group

Defrancq Group is a leading wholesaler of roofing and facade materials, with a wide range of products for both flat and pitched roofs. With 25 branches in Belgium and 4 in the Netherlands, Defrancq acts as a one-stop-shop for professional contractors, roofers and joiners. Headquartered in Roeselare, and although the focus is mainly on the Belgian market, Defrancq has also gained a stronger position in the Netherlands thanks to a recent acquisition.

The challenge - An outdated ERP system with customization and performance issues

Group Defrancq was previously working with an outdated version Dynamics NAV 2015, a system set up by a former partner, and equipped with numerous extensive customizations. These customizations were so heavily implemented that the ERP system became very slow and inefficient, resulting in numerous technical and functional problems. In addition, this complexity brought performance issues that made a modern and future-oriented standard solution imperative.

Choice of iFacto as strategic partner

In order to select a suitable ERP solution, Defrancq mapped all processes and drew up a detailed RFI/RFP. This document was sent out to many ERP partners, both those working with Microsoft technology and those opting for other systems. After an intensive search, iFacto was selected as the most suitable partner.

The deciding factors in choosing iFacto were:

Sector-specific solution: iFacto's Distri+ Build was specifically designed for building materials wholesalers.
Microsoft technology: Defrancq had previously worked with Dynamics NAV , making Dynamics 365 Business Central feel familiar and familiar. On top of that, the integration capabilities with other Microsoft applications and the power of the entire Microsoft ecosystem ensure efficient business operations.

The solution - A future-proof cloud environment

Defrancq made the move to a fully cloud-based solution with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central combined with iFacto's industry-specific solution Distri+ Build. On top of this, several iFacto applications were implemented and integrated.

This integrated approach resulted in more efficient and streamlined business operations::

Dynamics 365 Business Central as a powerful foundation
Sector-specific functionalities with Distri+ Build
Distri+ Sales & Purchase for structured sales and purchase management
Intercompany setup via iFacto Multi Company.
Seamless integrations with third-party systems via iFacto Connectivity.

In addition, their e-commerce platform, Magento, was integrated with Dynamics 365 Business Central and iFacto Distri+ via the Nvision Magento connector, allowing the webshop to go live simultaneously with the ERP system.

The benefits after implementation

The move to Dynamics 365 Business Central and iFacto's Distri+ Build has brought Defrancq significant improvements:

Standardized processes reduce reliance on customization and simplify management.
Cloud-based working ensures automatic updates, backups and improved security, all without infrastructure issues.
High adoption rate within the organization thanks to the recognition of Microsoft technology.
Smart purchase management with automatically generated purchase orders, invoices and other documents, increasing efficiency, reducing the risk of errors and promoting delivery speed.
Process efficiency with integrated workflows that reduce repetitive tasks and free up time for other important tasks.

With this new solution, Defrancq Group is ready for the future and has a flexible and scalable ERP system to support their continued growth.