Delivering up to 50% efficiency gains and future scalability for Audley Group with Delaware & Microsoft D365

A partnership built on expertise and trust

Facing the need for a complex ERP integration, Audley Homes prioritised finding a partner with deep expertise and a collaborative approach. These key criteria guided their selection process, and Delaware's demonstrable knowledge and capabilities clearly aligned with these requirements. 

Group Finance Director, Shaun Swanepoel, emphasises, "Their presentation and knowledge […] made the decision very easy."

To address their evolving needs, Audley Homes embarked on the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, a system chosen for its potential to provide a future-proof solution tailored to their complex business model. The project involved a detailed and collaborative approach to ensure the new system met their extensive requirements.

This process began with a thorough review of Audley Homes' specific needs, documented in a comprehensive 750-line requirements document. The subsequent implementation emphasised clear and direct communication between the project teams, a factor Audley Homes’ Finance Transformation Lead, Keith Cartwright, highlighted as crucial for effectively navigating challenges: "We needed somebody that could [have] the no holds-barred conversations. If there was a problem, we addressed it and we resolved it."

The implementation also benefited from the dedicated efforts of the project team members who worked closely with Audley Homes. Their collaborative approach aimed to provide the necessary support and guidance throughout the various stages of the project.

Tangible improvements and future-ready capabilities

The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 is expected to deliver significant benefits for Audley Homes:

• Increased efficiency: Audley Homes anticipates a 40-50% improvement in manual data processing time. Matthew Watson, Group Income Finance Manager, confirms, "Microsoft D365... has already introduced efficiencies by automating many of the tasks that were very manual before."
• Enhanced reporting and data accessibility: The new system provides greater reporting depth and faster access to crucial data, enabling quicker and more informed decision-making. Shaun Swanepoel states, "D365 has helped us in terms of day-to-day decisions that we make and the easy accessibility of the data that we have within the system."
• Improved data reliability: Moving away from error-prone spreadsheets to a centralised system ensures data integrity and reduces the risk of manual errors.
• Future-proofing for growth: The flexibility and scalability of D365 position Audley Homes for continued expansion and the adoption of future technologies like Copilot, Microsoft’s integrated AI tool.
• Accelerated implementation: Despite the complexity, Delaware's expertise enabled a remarkably fast implementation timeline. Shaun Swanepoel, a veteran of multiple system implementations, remarks,

Continuing the journey with Delaware

Audley Homes is already planning future enhancements with Delaware, including the implementation of expense and invoicing modules within D365 and leveraging Microsoft Copilot for advanced reporting. 

Matthew Watson affirms, "We would certainly work with Delaware in the future to help deliver those goals. Delaware's experience helped us deliver D365 in a much more accelerated time frame than we expected”

Alastair Coss, Business Development Director at Delaware, who partnered with Audley Homes from the outset, noted,

"From day one, our collaboration with Audley Homes felt like a true partnership. Seeing their commitment to this implementation and the positive impact it's already having has been brilliant. This is just the beginning of a long and successful journey together."

The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 represents a significant step forward for Audley Homes in modernising their financial operations. By addressing the limitations of their previous systems, they have established a platform for greater efficiency, improved data accessibility, and enhanced reporting capabilities across their diverse business streams.

While the full extent of the benefits will continue to unfold over time, initial reports indicate a positive trajectory towards achieving substantial gains in processing efficiency. The new ERP system provides Audley Homes with a more integrated and automated financial infrastructure, positioning them for future scalability and informed decision-making as they continue their growth.