Case Study: AkzoNobel achieves greater transparency and economies of scale with Avanade’s Microsoft Dynamics AX solution

Microsoft Dynamics AX Enables Transparency and Economies of Scale for European Retail Organization AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel, a global paints and coatings leader with about 50,000 employees, faced a fragmented retail operation across seven European countries where each chain used its own systems and purchasing was decentralized. The company needed a unified solution to provide Europe‑wide visibility into sales and finances and to centralize purchasing to capture economies of scale and improve margins.

AkzoNobel selected Microsoft Dynamics AX and partnered with Avanade to build a customized ERP core in the Netherlands and roll it out in phases (beginning 2013) to ensure local training and support, with full deployment targeted by January 2016. Early deployments in England and Denmark delivered unified customer data, better in‑store service, and clearer financial insight; once all countries are on the system AkzoNobel expects easier change management, cross‑country comparisons and centralized purchasing that will improve margins.

AkzoNobel

Rob Mooring

Program Manager