Scaling beverage manufacturing with Business Central

Cirkul is a U.S.-based company dedicated to making drinking water delicious, convenient, and fun through its patented flavor cartridge delivery system. With products sold online and in major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons, Cirkul has grown rapidly. However, as the business scaled, its legacy ERP system and reliance on spreadsheets and manual processes created bottlenecks. Cirkul partnered with WebSan, a Rand Group company, to implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, modernize operations, and build a system capable of supporting future growth.

Client: Cirkul

Case Study - Cirkul
Goal

The Goal

Implement a scalable ERP system that could streamline operations, reduce manual processes, and support rapid expansion into new retail channels.

Solution

The Outcome

Cirkul successfully transitioned to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, gaining operational efficiency, financial visibility, and the agility to scale with confidence.

We were growing fast, but our ERP system was slowing us down. We were relying on spreadsheets and messaging just to keep processes moving—something a proper ERP should handle automatically. Today, we have better control of inventory, clear visibility into costs, and a system that supports our growth instead of holding us back.

Sander Sharp, Vice President of IT at Cirkul

The problem

Cirkul’s previous ERP system could not keep pace with its growth trajectory. The company relied heavily on spreadsheets, documents, and messaging platforms to manage critical operations, which slowed decision-making and created inefficiencies across departments.

Key challenges included:

  • ERP system unable to scale with company growth
  • Heavy reliance on spreadsheets and manual processes
  • High operating costs due to inefficiencies
  • Limited visibility into costing and manufacturing performance
  • Inability to quickly onboard new retail partners and manage EDI requirements

“We needed a solution that could meet the needs of our growing organization and our customers. Our team, our needs, and our product offerings are growing rapidly, and we need systems and processes to keep up with our team’s hard work and tenacity.” – Sander Sharp, Vice President of IT

Disconnected

Outdated ERP and manual processes limited scalability

Business Central Homepage

The solution

Cirkul selected Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and partnered with Rand Group for the implementation. Rand Group brought expertise in both the technical aspects of Business Central and the business processes of manufacturing and supply chain operations. The team worked closely with Cirkul’s IT and leadership to ensure the solution aligned with their growth strategy.

Rand Group helped Cirkul by:

  • Implementing Dynamics 365 Business Central to replace outdated systems
  • Implementing Rand Group’s EDI 365 and Inbound Container Handling apps for Business Central
  • Configuring costing and manufacturing reporting to improve accuracy
  • Establishing real-time visibility into inventory and expenses
  • Providing project management and smooth go-live support with weekly status reviews

The result

The transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central positioned Cirkul for rapid expansion and long-term efficiency. Within months, the company scaled from 1 retail partner to 14, significantly accelerating its growth trajectory. Operational teams now work with greater accuracy and less manual effort, while financial teams have faster access to reliable costing and reporting data.

Business outcomes included:

  • Ability to onboard 13 new retailers in 4 months with streamlined EDI processes
  • Month-end close cycle reduced to under one week
  • Improved inventory control and cost visibility
  • Simplified container tracking and supply chain management
  • Increased efficiency across IT, accounting, and executive teams

Cirkul’s successful transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central with the support of Rand Group has empowered the company to overcome operational challenges and position itself for continued growth. The improved ability to adapt to evolving business needs, coupled with streamlined processes, underscores the significance of selecting the right solution and partner. As Sander Sharp summarizes, “We took a complex container tracking process and simplified it, saving time for our supply chain team.”

new retailers added in 4 months

week month-end close

times ROI

Contact Rand Group

Take the next step with Rand Group

Cirkul’s success story shows how the right ERP system and implementation partner can transform operations and accelerate growth. At Rand Group, we combine deep industry knowledge with Microsoft Dynamics 365 expertise to deliver measurable results for every client.