Situation German company Versatel offers voice and data communications services to business and residential customers. The company was established in 1998 after the government opened the telecommunications industry up for competition.
However, changes in technology have driven globalization in the telecommunications industry, improving services, cost structures, and altering client demands. New communication technology often lowers prices and creates higher demand for both consumer and business services, boosting business growth.
As a result, Versatel has expanded rapidly in less than 10 years. Dirk Moysich, Head of Accounting at Versatel, says: “Even though we couldn’t predict how our new business would develop, we knew from the start that an effective billing system would be at the core of our operations. We needed flexible technology to support massive expansion. It would have to adapt to fast changing market demands and an acceleration in customer volume.”
Versatel has developed a strong presence in business and residential markets, by delivering products and services that target all customers, addressing individual needs. Moysich says: “From fixed-line residential, to catering for the business market with standard products as well as solutions such as voice and Internet services. We wanted the competitive advantage of providing one complete invoice for all telecommunications services.”
Versatel offers custom-made solutions. Business customers receive convergent voice, data, and Internet services, as well as individual solutions adapted to specific needs.
Solution After evaluating both SAP and Microsoft® Dynamics NAV, Versatel chose the Microsoft technology due to its fit with the business.
Sven Weiner, IT Operations, Versatel, says: “Microsoft Dynamics NAV is much more cost-effective. It adapts easily to an organization, especially certain processes, such as accounts receivable. With SAP you have to change your processes to fit SAP.
“That’s why we started our business with Microsoft Dynamics NAV. It stood out as a flexible system that would support our growth. If we’d chosen SAP we would’ve had to change our processes to suit its model.”
In the beginning, Versatel supported itself with the system’s billing administrator. But time and customer growth made the company discover that it needed stronger support to help it adopt more efficient and tailored processes. Versatel worked with Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Akquinet to roll out Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
Moysich says: “Since then, Akquinet has supported us in everything we do with Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Its employees work closely with us to understand our business processes and develop new ones to meet changing demands. And only brief on-the-job training has been required.”
Microsoft Dynamics NAV 3.7 is the latest version that has been rolled out. It delivers integrated functionality for financial management and customer relationship management, and is used for finance, procurement, sales, materials, logistics, and accounting. Every month it posts 250,000 invoices by debit note.
During its six year relationship, Akquinet and Versatel have customized the technology to meet the changing demands of the expanding company. Recently, Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 was added to improve the company’s database services.
With these new technologies in place, Versatel has been able to incorporate a number of companies that it has recently acquired. The companies were formerly running SAP, but they have integrated into the Microsoft technology without any difficulties.
Benefits Since implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Versatel has had an effective business management tool.
Improved Operations Optimizes Cash Flow Versatel has optimized its cash flow with faster payment transactions. The functionality in Microsoft Dynamics NAV makes it possible to run direct debits, and overnight automated programming.
Time-shifted processing for billing invoices and payment transactions send out six-day and 14-day reminder notices automatically. And, most importantly for its business, Versatel can easily optimize cash flow, which in turn helps keep prices low for customers.
Moysich says: “With Microsoft Dynamics NAV we are extremely flexible and can use different methods to optimize our cash flow. We need a lot of processes to transfer from our billing side on Microsoft Dynamics NAV to how we can collect the money.”
Payment Transactions are 60 Percent Faster The additional billing entries hasn’t slowed down the Versatel finance department, in fact, invoice and payment transactions run 60 percent faster than they did to begin with. Tailoring the software to help mass data processing of invoicing, and payment transactions, has prevented the increase in customer volume not slowing the system down.
Customer Relationships Strong Despite Massive Business Growth Versatel continues to deliver quality service. Moysich says: “If customers want to change over their telephone line, they have complete customer relationship management from us. Customers are fully satisfied with our services and low pricing in comparison with their incumbent supplier.”
Employees Work in Familiar, Easy-to-Use Environment Further expense has been spared because Microsoft Dynamics NAV is integrated into the Microsoft Office system. Employees are working in a familiar environment with Microsoft Office Word and Microsoft Office Excel®, and this reduces the training that is required, Therefore it is easy for employees to adapt with on-the-job training and, after a certain period, learn the fixed assets, accounts payable, and general ledger processes. Moysich says: “All of our employees have found Microsoft Dynamics NAV easy to work with. They are confident working in the same view and using the same methods of familiar Microsoft technology.”
Microsoft Dynamics Microsoft Dynamics is a line of integrated, adaptable business management solutions that enables you and your people to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics works like familiar Microsoft software such as Microsoft Office, which means less of a learning curve for your people, so they can get up and running quickly and focus on what’s most important. And because it is from Microsoft, it easily works with the systems that your company already has implemented. By automating and streamlining financial, customer relationship, and supply chain processes, Microsoft Dynamics brings together people, processes, and technologies, increasing the productivity and effectiveness of your business, and helping you drive business success
