Transforming Financial Operations with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Background
When IMServ Europe Ltd, one of the UK’s leading energy data collection and metering specialists, needed to modernise its 20-year-old finance platform, it turned to mhance. The objective: move from Microsoft Dynamics GP 2012 to a cloud-first solution that would support scale, enable better business partnering, and provide a robust foundation for future innovation.
With clear leadership from Finance Director, Amy Harper, and a pragmatic approach from the mhance team, IMServ successfully went live with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central on the 1st January 2025, coinciding with the start of their financial year.
IMServ had outgrown its legacy ERP system, Microsoft Dynamics GP 2012. While functional, the system couldn’t support the organisation’s evolving business model or ambitions for dynamic reporting and global scale. A proposed full Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations implementation was ruled out due to cost and complexity. IMServ needed a right-sized solution and fast.
“We didn’t want bells and whistles. I needed a stable, cloud-based platform that could handle the basics really well - out of the box.” —Amy Harper, Finance Director, IMServ Europe Ltd.
Other challenges included: a tight delivery window to go live by financial year-end, no additional finance resourcing, meaning the team had to deliver the project "side of desk" and a desire for minimal customisation to preserve long-term agility.
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The Solution
In July 2024, mhance was engaged to deliver a pragmatic implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The focus was on core functionality, stability, scalability, and a smooth transition from the legacy system. mhance guided IMServ through: - Discovery and design workshops - Creation of a detailed Solution Design Document (their “bible” throughout) - Build, testing, and user acceptance - A successful go-live on the 1st January 2025. In parallel, IMServ also began layering in Power BI reporting, laying the groundwork for business-wide insight and empowerment.
Results
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Successful On-Time Go-Live
Achieved go-live aligned with the start of the financial year.
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Modern ERP Infrastructure
Implemented a modern, cloud-based ERP platform.
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Real-Time Business Intelligence
Enabled real-time Power BI reporting across the entire business.
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Seamless Acquisition Integration
Rapidly integrated a new acquisition, leveraging the flexibility of Business Central.
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Strong Ongoing Partnership
Maintained an enduring partnership with mhance, leading to additional project phases, including the upcoming Continua module work.
Key Takeaways
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Clear leadership drives success
A focused and concise project brief from Amy Harper provided strong direction, enabling the team to stay aligned and deliver efficiently. -
Trusted partnerships enable agility
A high level of trust and open communication between IMServ and mhance was instrumental in navigating tight deadlines and resource constraints. -
Tailored solutions deliver better outcomes
Microsoft Business Central proved to be the right-sized solution—more agile and cost-effective than a full-scale ERP—for IMServ’s current needs and future growth. -
Lean teams can lead transformation
With no additional headcount, IMServ successfully delivered a major transformation—powered by internal commitment and expert external support.
Next Steps
With Business Central successfully in place, IMServ continues to partner with mhance on further enhancements. By building on a strong foundation and leveraging modern tools like Power BI, IMServ is equipping its finance team and stakeholders with the insights and capabilities needed for the future.