Worldwide auto-services leader applauds flexibility, familiarity and personalization of Microsoft’s midmarket segment business software package.

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq “MSFT”) today announced that Midas Inc. (NYSE “MDS”), one of the world’s largest providers of automotive services, has selected Microsoft Dynamics GP to overhaul and expand its corporate business management systems.

Midas’ headquarters in Itasca, Ill., recently switched its financial management and general ledger reporting systems from another company’s more limited enterprise resource planning system to Microsoft Dynamics GP, which provides completely integrated and scalable financial management, intelligence, forecasting, budgeting and reporting. Working with Microsoft Gold Certified Partner IDT Consulting Inc., also of Itasca, Ill., throughout the Microsoft Dynamics GP evaluation, selection, system-integration and implementation processes, Midas will move its remaining financial management systems to Microsoft’s premier business management solution over the next two years.

“We looked at other software packages, but nothing came close to Microsoft Dynamics GP,” said Bennett Cikoch, vice president of IT at Midas. “The powerful business management tools, flexible and familiar components and many personalization features of Microsoft Dynamics GP are transforming the way we manage Midas’ corporate finance and other business systems.”

Microsoft Dynamics GP is a complete and scalable business management solution that offers a cost-effective way to manage and integrate finances, e-commerce, supply chain, manufacturing, project accounting, field service, customer relationships and human resources. Based on the familiar People-Ready Microsoft Office system interface, Microsoft Dynamics GP makes it easy for executives, managers and staff to access information that is meaningful to their specific roles and responsibilities, gain deep contextual insight into the key drivers that matter to their business, and improve efficiency throughout their organization. The solution is also easy to configure and maintain, adding to overall return on investment.

Microsoft Dynamics GP will enable Midas’ 40-member finance team to integrate and electronically manage virtually all of the business processes and corporate transactions within the organization’s more than 1,700 franchise and company-owned locations in the United States and Canada. In addition to accounts receivable, accounts payable, order processing and inventory management, Midas will rely on Microsoft Dynamics GP for security-enhanced online distribution of financial reports to field staff via the integrated FRx Report Server and Business Portal.

Midas’ finance team is already seeing positive productivity results from the new system: greater speed, functionality and tools that make financial reporting easier. “We expect the new Microsoft Dynamics solution to bring us efficiencies throughout the fivnance department and in improving information flow with the field,” said James Haeger, vice president and controller for Midas.

Cikoch credits the IDT Consulting organization for putting all the pieces together — a thorough understanding of its critical business issues and internal processes, compliance mandates, strong accounting and product knowledge — to make the transition to the new financial management system as seamless as possible.

Other specific benefits include the following: Continue At Source

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