How Hitachi Solutions formed game-changing Royal Mint partnership
Jamie Watson , Client Director at Hitachi Solutions Europe , explains why his firm was well-equipped to assist The Royal Mint in its ambitious transformation
Embarking on its world-first Sustainable Precious Metals ( SPM ) programme , The Royal Mint ( TRM ) needed a partner that could seamlessly establish a new ERP system . The Mint joined forces with global consultancy firm Hitachi Solutions , which specialises in people-first business transformation using Microsoft technologies .
Jamie Watson , Client Director at Hitachi Solutions Europe , explains : “ From a tech perspective , this involves the full suite of Dynamics 365 ( D365 ) Business Applications : the Power Platform , Azure , and the data and AI platforms . “ From a people perspective , it ’ s centred around change management and digital innovation .”
Forming a partnership
Detailing Hitachi Solutions ’ engagement with TRM , Watson adds : “ We worked very closely with The Royal Mint team to deliver a people and business-led engagement that initially focused on understanding their needs and goals . “ We prioritised those needs and worked out what enabling technology was required within the Microsoft technology stack to turn those needs into real-life outcomes . “ Since then , we ’ ve continued our relationship , successfully tendered the SPM ERP transformation programme , and we ’ ve gone live with the D365 Finance and Supply Chain Management solution .”
A sustainable solution
The design and build of TRM ’ s new ERP solution means it will prove to be extremely sustainable in the long term . “ As a collective team ,” Watson continues , “ we had less than six months to design , configure , test and deploy a production-ready ERP solution , which , for anyone familiar with these types of programmes , is almost unheard of .”
Watson said the project had provided “ huge opportunity ” for transformation across TRM ’ s organisation . He adds : “ We can focus less on keeping the lights on and focus more on continually adding new functionality like the Power Platform , robotic process automation , and even brand-new technologies that are hitting us across AI and machine learning . “ That will certainly become relevant to The Royal Mint and could , in itself , provide significant long-term benefits .”