RSMUS.comFor produce companies, ERP systems like Microsoft Dynamics 365 offer a powerful solution to optimize operations, reduce waste, and increase margins
As compliance standards rise and consumer expectations shift toward greater transparency, the ability to track yield, reduce waste, and make decisions in real time is no longer optional. It marks the difference between growth and stagnation.
So how do produce companies modernize without disrupting operations? And what is the real return on investing in ERP innovation?
Let’s break it down.
Legacy Systems Are Holding You Back
Too many food and beverage businesses still rely on siloed, outdated systems that were not designed for today’s regulatory landscape or complex supply chains. These disconnected tools lead to:
• Inaccurate inventory data, resulting in overproduction, spoilage, and lost sales
• Slow manual compliance reporting, increasing the risk of penalties and failed audits
• Limited yield insights, reducing your ability to optimize performance from field to distribution
In an industry where margins can be as tight as two to three percent, these inefficiencies are no longer minor issues. They become strategic risks.
How ERP for Produce Companies Unlocks Efficiency and Growth
Implementing a cloud-based ERP system like Microsoft Dynamics 365, supported by industry specialists at RSM, can transform produce operations in measurable ways.
Yield Optimization
Modern ERP systems track and analyze yield data in real time. This enables producers to identify inefficiencies and improve output across growing, packing, and distribution.
Result: Less waste, more accurate forecasting, and higher profit margins.
Inventory Efficiency
Dynamic inventory tools allow companies to automatically track product movement, identify discrepancies, and rebalance supply based on demand. This eliminates reliance on spreadsheets or disconnected tools.
Result: Reduced overstocking, fewer spoilage events, and lower storage costs.
Loss Prevention and Traceability
Integrated ERP and Power Platform tools provide lot-level traceability, making it easy to identify at-risk shipments during a recall. Unified data also means compliance reports can be generated in minutes rather than hours or days.
Result: Increased food safety confidence and faster audit readiness.
The Real ROI of ERP for Produce Companies: Impact on the Bottom Line
Modern ERP is not just software, it’s a revenue engine. Studies show:
• Companies using Microsoft Dynamics 365 see an average ROI of 301 percent in three years, with payback in under 19 months (IDC, 2025)
• Large enterprises report $8.9M in productivity gains and $3.9M in IT savings with Dynamics 365 ERP (Forrester, 2024)
• Dynamics 365 Business Central delivers up to 18 percent efficiency gains in finance and ops, with 265 percent ROI and payback in less than six months (Forrester, 2023)
For produce companies, the impact is clear: Faster decisions. Less waste. Higher margins.
It’s Not Just a System Upgrade. It’s a Growth Strategy.
For produce companies, modern ERP is more than a technology shift. It is the foundation for scalable, resilient growth in an industry that requires speed and precision.
At RSM, we combine Microsoft’s leading technologies with deep food and beverage expertise. We help you implement systems that do more than track activity. We help turn insight into action.
If you are evaluating ERP solutions and want to understand what real ROI looks like for your business, let’s talk.
Kevin Head
Kevin Head brings over a decade of Microsoft Dynamics expertise and 15 years of industry experience to his role as the Microsoft Food & Beverage Leader at RSM. With a strong background as a financial auditor and consultant, Kevin excels in guiding clients through their digital transformation and platform modernization journeys. He leverages his extensive experience to help organizations optimize their business processes with software, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced efficiency. Kevin’s expertise across the Microsoft platform enables him to implement advanced solutions tailored to the unique needs of the food and beverage industry, driving innovation and growth.