“For me, Connect Bridge is actually about being able to put data over SQL. We can update Dynamics from external sources. That saves us time, and it is the number one thing for us!”
– Marcel Chin, Business Analyst and Project Manager at swenex
Name: Marcel Chin
Role: Business Analyst and Project Manager
Customer: swenex
Activity: Energy service provider
Country: Switzerland
Product: Connect Bridge
Back in 2019, swenex, a leading energy service provider in Switzerland, started using the power of Connect Bridge, the world-renowned software integration platform by Connecting Software.
Today, swenex (that’s really with a lowercase “s,” in case you were wondering) is riding a new wave of advancement, after broadening its digital horizon with Dynamics 365 Business Central while still making sure the data flows as necessary.
Marcel Chin, Business Analyst and Project Manager at swenex, reflects on the company’s journey and shares how Connect Bridge continues to play a valuable part.
Adopting Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
“In 2021, we made the decision to switch from our former ERP, Sage,” said Marcel Chin. “We switched to Dynamics 365 Business Central,” he added. As with any such significant change in the IT ecosystem, some adjustments were needed. Namely, in terms of data flow, swenex had very specific requirements regarding the necessary data exchange between Business Central and existing Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Given the success of the previous Connect Bridge project, swenex opted to implement the new data exchange with Connect Bridge.
Empowering Data Exchange with Connect Bridge
A year after the launch of the first project, swenex’s testimonial was that “Connect Bridge works like a Swiss watch.”. It had no downtime at all, which is crucial in such a demanding project. Then two years later, a new project came.
Knowing the product and the team made everything work like a Swiss watch again. Marcel Chin explains, “We set it up with Sherif Kenawy [Solution Architect at Connecting Software], and it was very smooth as always. We told him that we needed the connection, and Sherif set up everything”.
Connect Bridge is all about facilitating software integration, and in this specific case, it streamlined the connection between Dynamics 365 and SQL databases.
swenex chose not to use any programming language besides SQL for this implementation. “We connect with Connect Bridge and only SQL. We use a linked server to get the data back and forth.“, Marcel recalls. This fitted their needs well and made for a quick implementation. “Setting up the linked server on the Microsoft SQL Server side took us a day or something like that,” he adds.
A Sturdy Bridge to the Future
As swenex continues to innovate and adapt, it’s preparing for another significant transition. The company plans to phase out its Oracle database linked to its Energy Data Management (EDM) system. “We are going to switch completely to Microsoft – MSSQL” Marcel notes.
In the transition phase, “there is an ongoing project with our partner in Vietnam where we actually try to get the data synchronized between Oracle and the Dynamics over the Connect Bridge linked server. The idea is to get updates once a day.” Marcel details.
Success in Connect Bridge
Marcel believes Connect Bridge’s key strength lies in its ability to facilitate data transfer via SQL. Here is how he puts it “For me, Connect Bridge is actually about being able to put data over SQL. So for me, it’s the connection between the Dynamics’ data and a SQL database.”
In terms of recommendation, Marcel Chin gives Connect Bridge a nine out of ten, showcasing his confidence in Connecting Software’s integration platform. The main business benefit for swenex, he emphasizes, is that “we can update Dynamics from external sources. That saves us time, and it is the number one thing for us!”
Conclusion
The journey of swenex is an inspiring example of how energy service providers can harness the power of digital transformation. True power can come from having the right data at the right place and the right time. Through the innovative use of Connect Bridge and Dynamics 365 Business Central, swenex continues to streamline its data integration and is paving the way for future advancements.
If you're intrigued by swenex's journey and wish to see similar results in your organization, we invite you to reach out. Contact us through our form to schedule a demo or to learn more about how our software integration solutions can streamline your operations and drive your digital transformation forward. Let's embark on a journey of technological advancement together.