We are expanding our operations in the Baltic region. Under our Ambit Baltics brand, we are setting up a company in Lithuania and bringing our international expertise in the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to the Lithuanian market. We take a holistic approach: we not only help companies to implement technological solutions, but also ensure that these solutions deliver real added value in their day-to-day operations.
Ambit Baltics: bringing international ERP expertise to Lithuania
‘Lithuania has the potential to outperform many more mature European markets in the field of enterprise management systems’
Beat Sengstag - CEO Ambit Group
Why we chose Lithuania
We see Lithuania not only as a new market, but also as a country with the potential to transition to next-generation business solutions more quickly than companies in some Western European markets.
We are convinced that Lithuania can develop more rapidly than many mature European markets for business management solutions. The combination of technological expertise, digital openness and entrepreneurial spirit creates an excellent environment for modern, cloud-based business platforms. Another advantage of Lithuania lies in the reduced burden of legacy systems and existing processes, which makes it easier for companies here to transition to next-generation solutions.
We focus on the implementation and further development of solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management (D365 F&SCM), as well as on the optimisation of business processes. The key difference from the traditional approach to ERP projects is that we do not focus solely on the technology, but on the organisation as a whole: its processes, its people and change management.
“Through our collaboration with companies from various European countries, we are exposed to a wide range of business models and best practices. We can put this experience to good use for Lithuanian companies – not by mechanically replicating foreign solutions, but by highlighting alternatives.”
Jonas Martynaitis - Leiter von Ambit Baltics.
Our approach: first identify potential risks, then implement the solution
One of the most common problems with ERP projects is that implementation begins without adequately assessing the actual project risks and business requirements. It often only becomes apparent as the project progresses that existing processes do not align with the system’s logic, that additional customisation is required, and that this leads to a greater scope of work, longer implementation times and unplanned costs.
We do not believe that every special requirement should be addressed within a single system. In some cases, it makes more sense to opt for specialised solutions and integrate them into the overall ERP ecosystem. What usually ends up costing more is not the technology itself, but the wrong decisions made during implementation – extensive customisation, unclear processes and underestimated long-term maintenance costs.
That is why we work with a two-stage model. First, we analyse the client’s business model together with them and, using a proof-of-concept approach, assess how well the selected system meets the company’s requirements. Only after this phase do we decide whether to proceed with the system implementation.
We also draw on our international experience. Best practices and tried-and-tested methods from ERP projects we have implemented in other countries help Lithuanian companies to reduce risks, avoid common pitfalls and accelerate the roll-out of solutions such as Dynamics 365.
We put people first – not just technology
We are convinced that one of the most important elements of an ERP transformation is the involvement of staff. For this reason, we incorporate change management expertise into our projects and help organisations prepare for new ways of working.
The biggest challenge is usually not the technology, but an organisation’s ability to change. An ERP system may be implemented to technical perfection – but if employees do not understand why processes are changing and how this benefits them and the company, the system will not be used effectively.
We firmly believe that employee engagement should begin right at the start of the project. People should not only be trained in how to use the new system, but also be involved in shaping processes and making decisions. Our regional experience confirms this: no system, however expensive, can function effectively without people’s involvement.
Not everything that can be changed needs to be changed
In the ERP implementation market, one often hears the promise that a new system can be tailored precisely to a specific company. Yet this flexibility also has a downside.
In our view, the biggest and most costly mistake is to purchase a standardised ERP system and then adapt it as much as possible to suit one’s own organisation. Extensive customisation not only increases implementation costs but also the costs of subsequent system maintenance. The more individual changes made to a system, the more expensive its maintenance can become, whilst subsequent upgrades become more complicated and the organisation becomes less flexible.
That is why we believe it is important, before beginning an implementation, not only to answer the question of which system is needed, but also whether a particular system actually suits the business. An ERP system creates added value not simply by transferring current business processes into the system, but by utilising the system’s full potential – to standardise and automate processes and reduce the need for manual work.
More customisation does not automatically mean a better system. We follow international best practices and the ‘Standard First’ principle: first, make the most of what the system already offers, and only develop additional solutions if they deliver genuine business value.
Our aim: to become a long-term partner for business transformation
In Lithuania, we offer services covering the entire lifecycle of an ERP solution: from the initial analysis of processes and system implementation, through maintenance and further development, to the optimisation of business processes.
Our aim is to help Lithuanian companies make their digital transformation more secure, reduce the risks associated with ERP projects and create tangible business value. An ERP project is only successful if the company is actually operating more efficiently one to two years later – and not simply because it has a new system. We should see less manual work, more automation, faster processes and better data quality.
Drawing on the Ambit Group’s international experience, we are entering the Lithuanian market and aim to help shift the perspective on ERP implementation – away from the mere acquisition of technology, towards the creation of a business solution that works in practice. Our aim is to be a long-term partner for business transformation.
We want to support companies in implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management securely and efficiently, reducing project risks, making the best possible use of the system’s standard functionality, and creating long-term business value.
