A major British food manufacturer based in Evesham, Worcestershire relied on an in-house developed Microsoft Access system that had evolved over many years. The application had become business-critical, supporting key operational processes across the organisation. However, as functionality had been added over time, the underlying data structure had become increasingly complex and difficult to maintain. The business faced growing support challenges, increasing dependency on a small number of individuals with knowledge of the system, and a need to improve operational efficiency in an environment characterised by short product shelf lives and highly compressed order lead times.

Vensis initially partnered with the business to modernise and improve its recipe management processes. Following the success of this project, the solution was expanded into a comprehensive operational platform covering forecasting, order management, stock control, raw material purchasing, order picking, and dispatch management.

The system was developed using a Microsoft Access front end with a Microsoft SQL Server database, providing the flexibility and rapid development benefits of Access while delivering the scalability, performance, and reliability of a modern database platform. Integration was also developed with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and other third-party systems, reducing duplicate data entry and improving the flow of information across the business.

As operational requirements have continued to evolve, the platform has evolved alongside them. More recently, Vensis has introduced web-based functionality for use on handheld devices, enabling users to access key processes away from traditional desktop workstations. Power BI reporting has also been implemented, providing enhanced visibility of operational performance and supporting faster, data-driven decision-making.

Results

• Improved management of raw materials and stock levels.
• Reduced dependency on individual employees with specialist system knowledge.
• Streamlined operational processes from forecasting through to dispatch.
• Increased visibility through real-time reporting and dashboards.
• Delivered a scalable platform capable of supporting ongoing business improvement initiatives.
• Created a long-term roadmap that allows the system to continue evolving alongside the needs of the business.

Services Provided: Microsoft Access Support, Microsoft Access Development, SQL Server Integration, Business Central Integration, Database Modernisation, Web Application Development, Power BI Reporting, Operational Systems Development.