Bridal Company Says 'I Do' to Microsoft Dynamics AX to Support Advanced Financial Needs, Growth Plans

One of the oldest bridal companies in the United States, Philadelphia-based Alfred Angelo Newco Inc., is implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX to meet the scalability needs of its growing global business, improve financial reporting speed, and enhance information visibility across the business.

The manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and social occasion dresses has been in business for 80 years. However, as Alfred Angelo continued it global expansion, it became obvious to company leadership that its legacy ERP system just wasn't getting the job done.

The executives realized they needed a software solution that would scale and support growth, as well as a partner that understood the apparel market to offer customized guidance.

So the company decided to implement the financial modules of Microsoft Dynamics AX with the goal of improving financial performance, reporting, process efficiency, and order response times.

"Alfred Angelo is embarking on a strategic growth initiative for the business, and they wanted to be sure they had the fundamental infrastructure in place and a financial platform in place that they can continue to build and grow on," says Paul Magel, president, Business Applications and Technology Outsourcing Division, CGS, a Microsoft Gold Partner. 

Needed: A new layer of sophistication

The platform that Alfred Angelo was running couldn't handle the company's international growth. For one thing, the system didn't have multicurrency capabilities, and it didn't allow Alfred Angelo to, for example, source from one country and sell in multiple countries, Magel says.

"So there was a lack of sophistication of the financial system in terms of tracking the costs ...