Improving Efficiency Across a Complex, Vertically Integrated Operation
ecoDynamics partnered with Solution Minds Consulting (SMC) to modernise core business processes, select the right enterprise systems, and prepare and assist the organisation with its major transformation.
SMC has supported ecoDynamics from its initial analysis and process mapping phase and target solution identification and selection through to implementation readiness, helping leadership make informed decisions with confidence and control. The engagement established a practical foundation for enterprise transformation across a complex, vertically integrated business located in multiple states around Australia.
At the time of this engagement, the work spanned SMC’s Analyse & Blueprint, Select & Negotiate, Plan & Prepare and Implement & Embed phases, now referred to as Strategy & Roadmap, Select & Negotiate, and Plan & Implement.
Key outcomes
- Clear Roadmap to outline to the Board of ecoDynamics what the future state could look like, what the most appropriate target system was that would support their needs across the individual businesses units (across construction, services, materials, mulching and nursery)
- Independent ERP selection through a structured Select & Negotiate process
- An Implementation roadmap spanning people, process, data, technology, AI and governance
- Project Management and Change Management capability to support the ecoDynamics team with the transition managing the implementation vendor and partner, managing the internal team, supporting transition activities and supporting the team in needing to work differently once the system was deployed.
About ecoDynamics
ecoDynamics is a vertically integrated commercial landscaping business operating across south-east Australia.
The organisation delivers construction, materials, mulch production and nursery services under a single operating model, with a focus on improving and nurturing communities through high-quality landscapes.
ecoDynamics works on big infrastructure projects – train stations, town squares and freeways, but also providing their unique touch of nature in nurturing wetlands and creating beautiful memorials as well as children’s playgrounds and other community spaces.
With the growth of the business came the need to do things more efficiently and get better quality data to the management team to make better data driven decisions and hence the need to modernise the way in which the business uses systems to operate the business and accommodate new growth and capacity.
The business needed to change in order to grow
To continue growing without continually increasing headcount, EcoDynamics needed to modernise its systems, processes and data structures. Legacy platforms, including older servers and other disconnected tools were no longer meeting operational or reporting needs.
Manual administration, inconsistent processes and limited visibility were affecting efficiency, governance and leadership decision-making.
The organisation identified the need to:
- Improve efficiency across diverse business units
- Embed consistent, scalable processes
- Reduce administrative effort
- Establish a foundation for long-term growth
- Modernise HR, workforce management and payroll as part of a broader ERP uplift particularly given the complexities associated with compliance around multiple Awards required with a diverse workforce across multiple lines of business
ecoDynamics engaged SMC to guide the business through a structured transformation journey, from strategic direction through to implementation readiness.
SMC Solution
SMC applied its end-to-end Digital Transformation Model, providing independent, vendor-independent advisory.
The engagement followed a clear progression from defining direction and priorities, through independent solution selection, to disciplined preparation for implementation, aligning with SMC’s earlier Analyse & Blueprint, Selection and Plan & Prepare phases, but with a stronger focus on execution readiness and risk management.
SMC’s role included:
- Strategy & Roadmap — establishing direction, priorities and a clear future-state way of working and process
- Select & Negotiate — independently evaluating ERP platforms and negotiating commercial and delivery terms
- Plan & Implement — preparing ecoDynamics, the selected vendor/partner and its internal team members for implementation
- Ongoing advisory across governance, change, data and resourcing
This approach ensured EcoDynamics entered implementation with alignment, realistic expectations and clear accountability.
A Foundation for Sustainable Growth
With preparation complete, ecoDynamics is progressing toward implementation with clearer roles, realistic expectations and leadership alignment.
The business has already gone through two successful “Go Live” launches of new functionality with the broader ecodynamics team utilising new functionality to do their day to day with another final launch to come in the coming months which will complete a significant and business transformational set of activities to help the business grow and work more efficiently and the management team make better data driven decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
ecoDynamics was keen to get clarity on priorities, future-state requirements and better codified future-state processes before jumping into choosing individual software solutions and understood that this level of preparation is vital before making potentially irreversible software decisions without having done that analysis.
SMC acted as an independent advisor, guiding ecoDynamics through software evaluation and commercial negotiation and helping to ensure that the ecoDynamics management team understood the capabilities of the competing solutions, their deficiencies, risks as well as helping to get the best possible commercial outcome prior to any commercial agreements being signed.
Prior to undertaking any implementation activities, the focus on planning was absolutely critical.
It helped to close gaps between vendor scope and business responsibilities, established governance, and prepared people, data and processes for successful delivery.
About the Author
Mike Jabour is Regional Director for Victoria and a member of SMC’s National Leadership Team. With nearly 25 years’ experience across digital transformation, enterprise technology, and complex program delivery, he supports organisations to make practical, commercially sound technology decisions and navigate complex transformation challenges with confidence. Mike works closely with clients, stakeholders, and delivery partners to bring structure, alignment, and clarity to large-scale business and technology initiatives.