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How Ala Group cut monthly P&L close by a week and automated export documents with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Metals Trading and Recycling
200+ employees
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner UAE | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Company

90%

more efficient export document processing

60%

more efficient monthly P&L finalization (a week faster)

50%

more efficient logistics tracking

25%

more efficient Trading and Operations reporting

  • Use Cases: Trading Operations, Export Documentation, Logistics Tracking, Hedging and Risk Management, Financial Reporting
  • Platform: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
  • Timeframe: 6 months (completed July 2019)

Ala Group ran its metals trading business on a legacy system and manual processes, which led to inconsistent data, slow export paperwork and a lengthy month-end close. SQIT implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central across 6 legal entities and 4 offices, with customizations for trading-specific calculations, hedging, controls and integrations. Export documents are now processed 90% more efficiently, and monthly P&L is finalized a week sooner.

Ala Group is a global recycler and supplier of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It handles all major categories of scrap and recycled metals, including aluminum, copper, lead, nickel and zinc. Headquartered in Dubai, Ala Group sources and supplies across the globe through 6 legal entities, 4 offices and 200+ employees.

The Background

Metals trading depends on accurate numbers and fast paperwork. Prices move constantly, shipments cross borders, and every trade carries documentation and risk. Ala Group’s legacy system and disparate tools could not keep pace with that complexity.

As the group grew, the need for one unified ERP became clear, one that was easy to use, flexible enough for the metals industry, and able to protect data integrity and regulatory compliance.

The Challenge

Disparate systems and manual processes created significant hurdles across five areas:

  • Data inconsistency: Information lived in separate systems, so figures differed between teams and had to be reconciled by hand
  • Standardization and audit controls: Without consistent processes, enforcing controls and meeting regulatory and audit requirements was difficult
  • Complex calculations: Trading-specific costing and pricing calculations were handled manually, increasing the risk of errors
  • Hedging and risk management: Tracking exposure and hedging positions across trades lacked a reliable, connected view
  • Integrations: Disconnected tools meant data was re-entered between systems, slowing operations

Together, these gaps slowed reporting and month-end close, and left the finance and operations teams working around their systems instead of with them.

The Solution

SQIT implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, selected by Ala Group for its ease of use and reporting, and its flexibility to be customized to metals trading requirements.

  • Unified data platform: One system across all entities replaces disparate tools, so everyone works from the same numbers
  • Standardized processes and audit controls: Consistent workflows and built-in controls support data integrity and regulatory compliance
  • Custom trading calculations: Industry-specific costing and pricing logic is automated inside the system
  • Hedging and risk management: Exposure and hedge positions are tracked alongside trades
  • Integrations and export documentation: Connected systems and automated document generation remove repeat entry and speed up shipments

Each element addressed a specific pain point, giving Ala Group one connected system from trade to shipment to close.

The Result

Export documents are now processed 90% more efficiently, removing a major manual bottleneck. Monthly P&L finalization is 60% more efficient, cutting a full week from the close cycle. Logistics tracking is 50% more efficient, and reporting for Trading and Operations is 25% more efficient.

By replacing a legacy system with a flexible, unified ERP, SQIT gave Ala Group faster reporting, tighter control and a platform ready for growth.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner UAE | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Company
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner UAE | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Company

Their dedication to delivering top-notch service exceeded my expectations. From the moment I reached out to them, their professionalism and expertise were evident.

Muzamil Haji Amin President, Ala Group

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner UAE | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Company

Trading metals and struggling with manual processes? See how
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