▲ From left: Project members from Yamazen Thailand and Thai NS
Amid these challenges, Thai NS Solutions Co., Ltd. (Thai NS) was selected as the implementation partner for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365BC). Mr. Shinji Takahashi, who led the ERP project at YAMAZEN Thailand, explained the reasons behind the decision:
"There were three key factors behind our decision. First, Thai NS was already using D365BC in its own day-to-day operations. Second, the company had taken an early lead in supporting Thailand's electronic tax invoicing (E-Tax Invoice) requirements. Third, it had earned an excellent reputation among companies in the same industry."
– Mr. Shinji Takahashi, YAMAZEN (THAILAND) CO., LTD.
Developed by Microsoft, Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365BC) is a cloud-based ERP solution designed for a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, trading, wholesale, and retail. However, compared with other ERP solutions, there have been relatively few implementation cases among Japanese companies operating overseas, making it difficult for organizations to evaluate the system based on real-world references. Against this backdrop, Thai NS's ability to demonstrate that it actively uses D365BC within its own business operations provided YAMAZEN Thailand with a strong sense of confidence.
"Knowing that they actually use the system themselves gave us a level of confidence that simply couldn't be conveyed through a proposal alone," Mr. Takahashi recalled.
Another important factor was Thai NS's early adoption of Thailand's E-Tax Invoice system. Having already implemented and operated the solution internally, Thai NS was able to provide practical knowledge and firsthand experience throughout the project. "Having a partner with hands-on operational experience right beside us was extremely reassuring," said Mr. Takahashi.
In addition, while evaluating multiple ERP vendors, Mr. Takahashi consulted industry peers and competitors. Whenever he mentioned that YAMAZEN Thailand was considering Thai NS, he consistently received positive feedback regarding the company's organization, technical capabilities, and service quality. "The fact that Thai NS was highly regarded by third parties gave us even greater confidence in choosing them as our implementation partner," he concluded.
ERP Implementation Achieved Through a One Team Approach Between Japanese and Thai Staff
▲ ThaiNS and Yamazen Thailand Thai staff
The ERP implementation project began in February 2023. The first task was to organize the existing data and documentation. However, because very little documentation from the legacy system remained, the team had to start by investigating the current state of the data from scratch. They discovered numerous issues, including inconsistent file naming, duplicate records, and unorganized data, which required repeated rounds of data cleansing. As a result, the process took significantly more time and effort than originally anticipated.
Another major challenge was determining how much of the standard functionality in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365BC) could be utilized and which functions truly required customization. Since additional development would increase implementation costs, both companies held numerous discussions to carefully evaluate each requirement and find the optimal balance between business needs and budget.
A key factor in overcoming these challenges was the "One Team" approach between the Japanese and Thai teams. While the overall project was led by the Japanese staff, close collaboration with the Thai staff—who handled the day-to-day business operations—was essential to ensuring the successful adoption of the new ERP system.
"This project was not simply about implementing an ERP system. It was a critical initiative to transform our company's entire business operations. The Thai NS Solutions team responded quickly whenever issues arose and provided attentive support tailored to each individual user. They also demonstrated great flexibility in accommodating our complex business requirements and operational processes, which gave us tremendous confidence throughout the project."
– Mrs. Nawaphan, Project Manager, YAMAZEN (THAILAND) CO., LTD.
Mr. Takahashi also praised Thai NS, saying, "Their response was always prompt, and they became deeply involved in our day-to-day operations." The support team worked closely with employees on practical tasks such as voucher entry, allowing users to learn the system through actual business operations rather than relying solely on manuals. This hands-on approach played a key role in ensuring the smooth adoption of the new system.
Although the project faced many challenges during the initial implementation phase, every member shared the same objective and worked together beyond organizational roles and responsibilities. As a result, the ERP system went live according to schedule. Through this project, the team gained a renewed appreciation for the importance of data preparation, user training, effective communication, and teamwork.
The success of an ERP project depends on more than just the system itself. In this case, it was the close collaboration among everyone involved and their commitment to a common goal that became the greatest driving force behind the project's success.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365BC) officially went live in April 2024. Looking back on the implementation, Mr. Takahashi said:
"The biggest change has been the elimination of the constant anxiety that the system might stop working at any time."
The new ERP system has enabled the centralized management and real-time visualization of key business information, including inventory, sales, costs, and financial data. As a result, both operational efficiency and the accuracy of management decision-making have improved significantly. The migration to a cloud-based platform has also strengthened security while allowing the company to upgrade its operating systems and Microsoft Office applications to the latest versions.
In addition, D365BC integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, opening the door to further business process automation through the use of Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot.
Looking ahead, YAMAZEN Thailand plans to leverage the implementation expertise gained from this project to roll out the new ERP system across its ASEAN operations. Mr. Takahashi shared his vision for the future:
"Building on the strong relationship of trust we have established with Thai NS, we would like to actively expand this implementation to our other overseas locations."
The YAMAZEN Thailand project serves as an excellent example of how Japanese and Thai teams worked together as One Team to successfully implement an ERP system while achieving centralized information management and greater business visibility. For companies operating in Thailand, ERP is no longer simply a system upgrade—it has become a strategic business platform that supports digital transformation, operational excellence, and sustainable business growth.
▲ ThaiNS and Yamazen Thailand staff
【Interview cooperation】
YAMAZEN (THAILAND) CO., LTD.
Shinji Takahashi
General Manager
IT Department
ASEAN Regional Headquarters / Regional CIO
Nawaphan Suwunnachote
General Manager
Administration Department
Jariyaporn Tokert
Manager
Machine department
Thai NS Solutions co., Ltd.
Hitoshi Yukie
General Manager / Marketing and Sales Dept.
Voraseth Luengthongdee
Assistant Manager / System Planning & Engineering-1 Dept.
Ornticha Danviroonhavanit
Assistant Manager / Systems Planning & Engineering-1 Dept.
Lapasrada Sukdikul
Assistant Manager / Systems Planning & Engineering-1 Dept.
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