Pharos Solutions
Driving Success in ERP Implementation

A blend of advanced technology and client-focused service delivery underpins the distinctiveness of Pharos Solutions in successful ERP implementation.

CEO David Sturt explains the foundation of its success. “We are at an inflection point, driven by swift advancements in AI, machine learning and large language models.” These technological strides have particularly influenced how companies manage and interpret vast amounts of data, an area where Pharos excels.

In addressing them, the company has identified two predominant challenges. The first is the pressing need for robust data management. Clients are often overwhelmed by large volumes of data, which necessitates enhanced visibility and superior reporting capabilities to enable informed decision-making. A Microsoft Gold Partner, Pharos offers expert services and consulting for Microsoft Dynamics 365, augmented by Power BI reporting and essential integrations—elements crucial for any comprehensive ERP system.

Many of its clients, typically medium to large enterprises, also operate with multiple systems to manage their daily operations but lack the resources to build and maintain necessary integrations. Integrating AI technologies within ERP systems only adds to these challenges. While clients are keen to leverage AI to gain a competitive edge, they are equally concerned about maintaining operational efficiency.

To this end, Pharos has developed ‘One Connect,’ an Azure-based managed integration platform. One Connect has a robust workflow engine that integrates ERP systems with other critical operational systems, without disrupting the underlying business processes. By defining rules and workflows, it enables organizations to reduce manual tasks, decrease errors and boost efficiency.

For e-commerce clients, Pharos enables real time integrations with online platforms, providing immediate updates on orders and inventory availability. In other cases, it implements multi-step, workflow-based integrations that connect disparate ERP systems. These complex integrations often involve a series of validation and data cleansing processes, all supported by robust backend monitoring and dedicated support from the Pharos team.

Data security is equally critical at Pharos, especially given the company’s substantial involvement with public sector clients, for whom data sensitivity is of the utmost concern. To enhance protection, Pharos offers its One Connect solution on the government cloud, offering an additional layer of security. It also ensures flexibility in managing security protocols, ownership of the Azure tenant where One Connect is hosted and control over data residency and ownership. This adaptability meets the specialized requirements of both public sector organizations and large technology companies that Pharos serves.

The approach to collaboration is always tailored to each client’s specific needs and circumstances. Companies that seek Pharos’s Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (F&O) services typically do so in an effort to streamline operations following rapid growth. Pharos is committed to sustaining their growth momentum.

It engages with clients to pinpoint areas where the most significant value can be added. In some instances, this may involve redesigning business processes to leverage out-of-the box features effectively. In other cases, Pharos develops custom modules within Microsoft Dynamics 365, crafting tailored processes and workflows that integrate seamlessly with the D365 F&O ERP platform, ensuring a solution precisely aligned with the client’s growth objectives.

A Microsoft Gold Partner, Pharos offers expert services and consulting for Microsoft Dynamics 365, augmented by Power BI reporting and essential integrations—elements crucial for any comprehensive ERP system

The Pharos team is also committed to transparency and consistently exceeds client expectations. Drawing from a 2021 Deloitte study that revealed a significant percentage of ERP projects do not meet their objectives, Pharos Solutions stresses the importance of setting clear expectations from the get-go to ensure the success of every project.

“Since our inception in 2001, we have maintained an impressive 95 percent success rate in ERP implementations,” says Sturt. “This track record is supported by our long-standing client relationships.”

To substantiate, he recounts the enduring partnership with an oil and gas client that has spanned over two decades. Originally a startup, the client faced unique industry-specific challenges during its rapid growth through mergers and acquisitions. Pharos played a crucial role in customizing the ERP system to swiftly meet their evolving needs, redesigning business processes and ensuring seamless integrations. The Pharos team also provided expertise in M&A integration, helping the client to efficiently integrate new organizations and solidify its position as a leading force in the regional oil and gas industry.

Today, Pharos is a celebrated name in the Microsoft solutions provider realm. Its journey, however, began as a department within Rock Solid ERP and underwent a significant transformation into an independent entity following a management buyback in 2021, marking a new chapter in its evolution.

Currently, Pharos enriches its portfolio with Independent Software Vendor (ISV) solutions, leveraging operational efficiencies from its strategically located offices in Texas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The utilization of favorable tax decrees in Puerto Rico affords substantial cost savings, which enables the company to offer competitive pricing while upholding the high quality of its services—delivered by a dedicated, highly skilled and English-speaking team.

As Microsoft continues to broaden its technological offerings, Pharos anticipates an increased demand for AI driven technologies, such as chatbots and advanced document management systems. The company is well-positioned to embrace future trends by integrating cutting-edge solutions like Microsoft Copilot, currently in preview with Dynamics, and by leveraging Azure and Dataverse to maximize the value extracted from ERP data.