Database Transformation for Manufacturing Company
Case Study
Client
Finishing Dynamics is a leading fabricator and finisher of architectural metal products for commercial construction projects. They specialize in delivering custom-finished aluminum components for buildings across the U.S.
Business Goals
To ensure long-term operational efficiency and business continuity, Finishing Dynamics began seeking a technology partner who could replicate and improve their custom-built database developed in 2004 in a more scalable and maintainable environment. Off-the-shelf software lacked the flexibility they required, making a custom solution the best path forward. Their goals were clear: replace the outdated system, gain a more tailored and user-friendly platform, streamline internal operations, and improve the overall flow of quoting, order management, and inventory tracking.
Business Challenge
Finishing Dynamics faced a common issue: a critical legacy system that was no longer sustainable. Their 20-year-old database lacked integration options and modern capabilities, creating growing inefficiencies. Because it had been custom-built internally, the system wasn’t well-documented or easy to update, and the original developer was no longer available to support or modify it.
Once development began, additional needs emerged. As the client tested the new system and saw its capabilities, they recognized more features they wanted to include. Although these change requests were outside the original scope, the client’s flexible timeline and clear budget cap allowed SOLTECH to continue iterating while staying within the project’s financial boundaries. While this pushed the go-live date later than initially expected, the added time allowed the system to launch with a fuller feature set—exactly the outcome the client hoped for.
“Our company was running on a database system that was 20 years old. It was time for us to get a new one put into place.”
“SOLTECH met their deadlines and came in under budget. Their ability to take our specific needs and customize the software for us was impressive.”
– Shawn Morvay, Director of Fabrication, Finishing Dynamics
Solutions
To address Finishing Dynamics’ challenges, SOLTECH developed a fully customized database solution built on Salesforce, chosen for its scalability and deep configurability. The new system was tailored to mirror and improve upon their original platform, with added automation and streamlined workflows.
The engagement began with a collaborative discovery phase. Finishing Dynamics provided a copy of their legacy application and worked closely with the SOLTECH team to walk through their daily operations, challenges, and expectations. Through a series of working sessions, SOLTECH gained a deep understanding of how their fabrication and finishing business functioned across departments.
To help visualize what a modernized solution could look like, SOLTECH created a brief working prototype. This proof of concept gave Finishing Dynamics an early look at how their processes could translate into a new platform, ultimately confirming that Salesforce was the right fit.
With a clear direction in place, SOLTECH designed and developed a fully customized system built on Salesforce. The platform was tailored to support key operational functions, including quoting, paint ordering, inventory tracking, and packing list generation, and included smart automations to streamline routine tasks. The interface was designed with usability in mind, making it easy for the team to adapt with minimal disruption.
Project Highlights
- Fully custom Salesforce-based database platform.
- Built-in tools for quotes, orders, inventory, and logistics.
- Automated workflows to reduce manual effort and streamline operations.
- Legacy data migrated from 20-year-old Access system.
- Delivered under budget with scope expansion based on client priorities.
Impact
With a modern, customized database system in place, Finishing Dynamics saw a noticeable improvement in operational efficiency. Key workflows were unified into a single platform, reducing manual work and enabling faster, more accurate task completion across departments.
The flexibility of the Salesforce-based solution also gave the company room to grow, with automations and features built specifically to support their business model. While the timeline evolved to accommodate new features, the project remained within budget, allowing Finishing Dynamics to launch with confidence, knowing their team was supported by a robust, scalable system.
By tailoring the platform to their needs, SOLTECH helped Finishing Dynamics move away from outdated technology and into a system that supports both their current operations and future growth.
