Mifa

Mifa was been working with a customised ERP system, supplemented by various separate workflow applications, since 1998. “We noticed that our old system was no longer meeting our requirements,” says Peter-Jan Coumans, IT Manager at Mifa. “We needed greater flexibility and better integration between our processes. In addition, our old systems were no longer updated, so we were increasingly at risk.”  

After extensive market research, Mia opted for one ERP system: Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Fellowmind as implementation partner. “Dynamics 365 offered us the possibility of supporting processes in a standardised way,” says Peter-Jan. “We also found Fellowmind’s pragmatic approach very appealing. With their experience in the manufacturing industry they understood our challenges and really thought them through with us.” The agile approach and structured implementation methodology Sure Step Focus from Fellowmind created confidence.  

The project began in November 2022 with a pre-foundation phase. A multidisciplinary team within Mifa, consisting of directors, key users and operational specialists, worked closely with consultants from Fellowmind. During weekly project days and daily stand-ups, progress was monitored and challenges were tackled directly. The agile methodology ensured an iterative process, in which it was continuously tested whether what was being built also actually added value.  

Alongside the technical implementation, Fellowmind also guided the change management within Mifa. “The most important thing was to create acceptance,” Peter-Jan stresses. “We started by explaining clearly why we were doing it and what we were gong to work on. As a result of training sessions and clear communication, staff knew what they could expect and were well prepared for the switch. Fellowmind has guided us very well through this.” This resulted in flexible adoption when the solution went live in May 2024.

The switch to Microsoft Dynamics 365 immediately delivered benefits. The integrated system replaces the fragmented software landscape and ensures better data consistency. The look and feel of Dynamics 365 also ensured an enthusiastic response from staff. In addition, Peter-Jan praises the future resilience of the system: “With Dynamics 365 we remain continuously up to date and can respond to the latest developments. A particular aim was to choose a package that remains future-proof.” The real results are yet to come: “If you want to use the system well, you have to provide it with data. More data administration is now demanded, soon we will be able to use the data that is now being loaded in the background for analyses.”  

Thanks to its cooperation with Fellowmind, Mifa has successfully made the switch to a future-resilient ERP system. “The combination of technology, a structured approach and attention to change management made the difference,” Peter-Jan concludes. “We don’t just have a new system, we also have an organisation that’s ready for the future. Where we used to be uncertain about the stability of our old system, we now know that we can build on a solid base.”  

The strength of this project lay in our shared steady focus on adding value within the business. At the start of the project we had a workshop on this. We closely scrutinised processes and reviewed various aspects. We made big cuts in functionalities that would slow down implementation or would raise costs. Eventually we came up with a total package that is richer than I would have dared to expect beforehand.”