The system, which will be installed at the Milton Keynes headquarters, will replace a set of older applications which were written specifically for Landmark and its IT equipment.

Tom Warburton, senior IT manager at Landmark Wholesale explained: "We made the decision to look for a modern platform, but a key requirement was that it would integrate with some current applications such as our accounting software, Dimensions Access.

"We considered three ERP solutions; mySAP, Microsoft Navision and Microsoft Axapta. Ultimately we chose Axapta because of the flexibility of the solution. This enabled us to maintain certain functions in-house but also have the advantages of a supported system."

Warburton added: "As we were using a number of bespoke applications, with every application having a separate database, we needed to have a gradual transfer of data to Axapta. We opted for a phased implementation to cause minimal disruption to the business and our staff."

Phase one of the implementation will be the export of all existing bespoke applications databases into Axapta. Phase two will see the integration of the intranet applications into Axapta including the electronic data exchange (EDI) that is used by suppliers to invoice.

Warburton said: "Streamlining our databases will ease management and improve reporting, and customers will see an immediate improvement.

"The main benefit to our business will be the support that we will receive from Microsoft. Ardent Solutions works closely with Microsoft and shows commitment to it as one of its main Axapta partners. In terms of business continuity this will be great importance to us as it is a fully supported product."

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