How AgileCadence transformed a UK cider manufacturer’s operations with Dynamics 365 ERP

When one of the UK’s fastest-growing drinks brands needed to modernise its systems, it wasn’t just about technology. It rarely is. It was about staying true to its origins while building something bold for the future.

The large UK cider company turned to us at AgileCadence to help streamline operations, meet growing demand and support long-term success. Together, we brewed up something exceptional.

From festival fields to supermarket shelves nationwide, this cider brand is a true Somerset success story. A staple at Glastonbury, it is one of the UK’s fastest-growing drink brands. Alongside its own range, it also produces and distributes products for other leading UK drinks companies to major retailers. It’s an exciting time of evolution and, with growth on the menu, it needed a system that could keep up.

The challenge: legacy systems, complex demands

The company was running on outdated IT and it was starting to show. With increasing pressure on warehousing, production, logistics and compliance, the existing systems just weren’t cutting it anymore.

The company needed an integrated ERP that could:

  • Connect finance, operations, production and distribution efficiently
  • Support complex HMRC duty compliance
  • Offer clear costing and stock visibility from raw ingredients to retail shelves
  • Meet digital warehousing standards and barcoding requirements
  • Enable smarter, faster decision-making through real-time business intelligence.

Above all, it needed a tech partner its team could trust to deliver all this. And to do so without disrupting the magical formula that made its business what it is.

Our approach: people-led tech

Having worked together before, their team knew what to expect from us at AgileCadence. We’re real people who genuinely listen and deliver tangible results that truly work. From day one, we worked collaboratively with their internal team to make sure the solution matched their pace, processes and priorities.

Together, we implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management, a modern ERP tailored to the company’s exact needs.

“This was a complex, and crucially important project. It touched every area of our business – finance, warehousing, sales, purchasing and procurement – and involved a wide range of stakeholders, customers and trading partners. The AgileCadence team navigated this beautifully. Their way of working was collaborative and respectful, bringing out everybody’s strengths to great effect.”

How did we do this? Key contributors were:

  • Empathetic stakeholder collaboration, working with everyone from the shop floor to EDI providers
  • Custom-built functionality, recreating essential legacy processes while improving them where it mattered most
  • Smooth customer integration, including EDI and real-time duty updates
  • Next-gen warehousing tools, using barcode tech and WMS integration
  • Data-driven decision-making, powered by Azure Data Lake, and Power BI.

This wasn’t just about a new system. It was about creating something scalable, compliant and, above all, supportive of the people using it every day.

“There were so many moving parts to this project. But by working closely with their team, we could see a better way forward. The powerful combination of the endlessly customisable Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform, along with the likes of Azure, delivered the streamlined, effective business improvements they needed.

“By combining Microsoft Dynamics 365 with tools like Azure Data Lake and custom-built integrations, we created a system that gives this drinks company real-time visibility across its operations. Our collaborative approach meant we could design the tech around how they actually work, and the result is a platform that’s faster, smarter, and ready to grow with them.” Joby Newton, Director of Consulting, AgileCadence.

The impact: smoother operations, smarter insights

With Dynamics 365 now at the heart of its business, the drinks company is enjoying a step change in performance. Key wins include:

  • Full visibility across manufacturing, warehousing and distribution
  • Easier and faster reporting including duty status and stock control
  • Real-time data that supports proactive, not reactive, decision-making
  • Better integration with supermarket customers and partner brands
  • A robust platform that scales harmoniously.

We continue to provide the drinks company with round-the-clock managed services, regular platform updates and proactive performance monitoring. We’re solving issues before they disrupt users, helping them to stay at the top of their game.

A partnership built to last

At AgileCadence, we don’t install software and walk away. We build long-term partnerships based upon trust, shared goals and a deep understanding of the people behind the tech.

We’re immensely proud to be supporting this cider brand’s success. Our team are with the company every step of the way. Cheers to that!

Looking to streamline operations with ERP? Speak to our Dynamics 365 experts. Get in touch.