By now, businesses in all sectors understand that digital transformation is a necessity and no longer a luxury tied to a long-term, future digital strategy, however, implementations can, and do, go wrong. Choosing an established partner with a record of ensuring success, no matter the size of the challenges is often the difference between digital transformation unleashing competitive advantage or being just another unsuccessful and expensive exercise.
For nearly three decades in various guises, Braintree has been at the forefront of ERP solutions, with roots that run deep in expertise, best-in-class solutions, success stories and enduring partnerships.
Braintree is a leading digital partner whose core business involves helping companies grow and improve their operations through technology. Working with businesses of all sizes, Braintree specialises in implementing and supporting Microsoft products.
Heath Huxtable, Braintree’s MD, says that the business’s remarkable growth and success starts with building deep partnerships which – even though this year is a celebration of existing as Braintree for a decade – dates back to the late 1990s where he and key personnel were involved in some of the first Great Plains (now part of Microsoft Dynamics) implementations in South Africa.
“This core style of being rooted in genuine partnerships has underpinned the evolution of the business into the large player it is today, enabling us to expand our services and client base by working with major organisations and growing our presence both locally and internationally,” says Huxtable.
Our Clients
Deeply rooted in partnerships
Perhaps the most telling aspect of Braintree’s success is the longevity of its partnerships – both with clients and employees. Some of their first customers from the 1990s, before Braintree built its current identity, remain with the business today. Huxtable says: “Our culture is retention…We want people to have the freedom of choice.” He says key team members have been together since the 1990s, and even team members who have left, have since returned. “This is testament to our focus on strong relationships.”
He explains that Braintree’s approach to partnerships goes beyond retention. He says the business uses personality profiling to ensure the right team fit for each client, recognising that successful implementations depend on more than just technical skills. “We do personality profiling to see where an individual would be best placed, taking into consideration what the customer’s expectations are of the team they’ll be working with on an implementation.”
Deeply rooted in expertise
Huxtable says Braintree’s journey began in the mid-90s when he recognised the transformative potential – already then – of emerging business technologies. Being a chartered accountant, he brought a unique blend of financial acumen and technological foresight which became the cornerstone of Braintree’s approach.
“I started a graphical user interface accounting solution and signed up customers. Some of those very first customers are still customers today,” says Huxtable, adding that the early adoption of cutting-edge technology set the stage for Braintree’s future as an industry leader.
Deeply rooted in the best solutions
Braintree’s commitment to providing the best solutions is evident in its evolution from implementing single-product ERP systems to offering a comprehensive suite of business technologies. “Over the years we have expanded our portfolio to include high-end ERP, mid-market ERP, CRM, Office 365, Teams, productivity tools, voice calling, and Azure,” says Huxtable. This diversification not only meets varied client needs but also provides a level of risk containment for businesses, he says.
The company’s approach to implementation is uncompromising. “We don’t do project failures. We will complete an implementation at all costs. This is both strategic and tactical because you can’t take a good reputation for granted. We’re only ever known by the success or failure of our last project and I genuinely believe this dedication to project success has been a key factor in Braintree’s longevity and strong reputation,” he says.
Our Partners
Deeply rooted in success
Braintree’s success is reflected in its impressive client roster and groundbreaking implementations. From the early days of being the first to install Great Plains on a wide area network for Credit Agricole to implementing solutions for Old Mutual’s African operations, Braintree has consistently pushed the boundaries of what has been considered possible in implementations, especially in the realm of ERP.
“Our success extends beyond South Africa,” says Huxtable. “We recently established an entity in the UK and we are planning further expansion into Europe and the rest of Africa. This growth is strategic and measured, always with an eye on adding mutual value.”
With an eye on the future, Huxtable says Braintree’s continued growth will be made possible by the solid roots it has developed over the years. “If you think about it, the mightiest tree has a root system far larger beneath the ground than what you can see above it. We are incredibly proud of our foundation – built organically – because it stands us in good stead to continue adding value to the businesses of our customers.”
If you are looking for an experienced partner with a proven track record of driving success, connect with Braintree, and let’s discuss how we can work together to drive your business forward.
