This monthly newsletter is designed to deliver information about activities and progress around amplify – the BW Corporate Equipment ERP Transformation. 

Send questions to amplify@barry-wehmiller.com

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Green Bay/Lenexa:

After extensive User Acceptance Testing and careful evaluation of system readiness, executive sponsors officially approved April 1, 2026, as the go-live date for the transition to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations. This timeline ensures thorough testing, comprehensive training, and proper preparation for a successful launch. 

Train-the-Trainer sessions are scheduled to begin February 9, with end-user training taking place throughout March. Communications will be sent at 90, 60, and 30-day intervals leading up to go-live to keep everyone informed. More details on training schedules will be shared in the coming weeks.

PROCESS

Structured Path to Go-Live

The project is following a gated approach with go/no-go checkpoints scheduled in early January and February. These decision points will assess our readiness across multiple dimensions—including testing results, solution completeness, training preparation, and data quality—before proceeding to the next phase. This structured framework ensures we only move forward when we're truly ready, maintaining our commitment to launching a system that works effectively from Day One.

Real-World Testing Approach

UAT2 testing represents a shift from scripted test cases to real-world business scenarios. Rather than simply following predetermined steps, testers are being asked to work through actual day-to-day operational situations—including exception handling and edge cases—to validate that the solution truly fits how we conduct business. This approach helps us uncover issues that might not surface in traditional testing and ensures the system can handle the complexity and variability of our actual operations. The insights gained from this testing phase are critical to identifying and resolving gaps before go-live.

TECHNOLOGY

Data Quality: A Shared Responsibility

One of the most important—and often underestimated—aspects of a successful ERP implementation is data quality. We are only as good as the data we bring into the new system. The project team is emphasizing data cleansing as a top priority, with a strong push for ownership and accountability across all functional areas. This means:

• Legacy Data Review: Identifying and correcting inaccuracies in master data (customers, vendors, items, BOMs, etc.) before migration
• Open Transaction Management: Closing out old purchase orders, work orders, and other open transactions that should not carry forward
• Ownership Culture: Each functional area is responsible for the quality of their data—this is not just an IT task

Clean data means accurate reporting, fewer post-go-live issues, and a smoother transition for everyone. The time invested now in data cleansing will pay dividends in system performance and user confidence after April 1.

PEOPLE

Taking Care of Yourself During the Busy Season

As we approach the end of the year, many of us are juggling multiple priorities—year-end responsibilities at work, holiday preparations at home, and now the added focus of Amplify activities like UAT2 testing, training preparation, and data cleansing. It's a lot!

This time of year can feel overwhelming, and it's important to remember that taking care of yourself isn't optional—it's essential. When we're stretched thin, it's easy to skip breaks, work through lunch, or stay late "just to get one more thing done." But sustainable performance requires sustainable practices.

Here are a few reminders as we head into this busy season:

Take your breaks. Step away from your desk, even if just for a few minutes. Your brain needs rest to stay sharp.

Set boundaries. It's okay to say, "I need to wrap up by 5:00 today" or "I'll tackle that first thing tomorrow." Protecting your personal time helps you show up better at work.

Ask for help. Whether it's a project deadline, a testing assignment, or simply feeling overwhelmed, reach out to your manager or teammates. We're all in this together.

Prioritize the essentials. Not everything can be urgent. Focus on what truly matters, and give yourself permission to let go of perfectionism on the rest.

Celebrate small wins. Completed a test case? Cleaned up vendor data? Finished your holiday shopping? Acknowledge your progress—it matters.

The work we're doing with Amplify is important, but so are you. As we move through this season, let's support each other with patience, grace, and the understanding that we're all doing our best.

Be kind to yourself. You've earned it.

Elisabeth Knight has achieved Diamond Status as an Amplify Change Champion! 

Elisabeth has gone above and beyond in supporting her team through this transformation—attending every training session, answering countless questions, and championing the change with enthusiasm and dedication. 

Her commitment to helping colleagues navigate D365 F&O has been instrumental in building confidence and readiness across her department. 

Thank you, Elisabeth, for your outstanding leadership! 💎

Keep Connected! 

This newsletter, our Viva community, and the amplify SharePoint, are designed to provide regular communication to keep you informed. In addition, we encourage you to email amplify@barry-wehmiller.com with questions or feedback.