We know it's difficult, but the benefits are many..."
The international supplier of medicine and medical equipment, Missionpharma, has chosen Bredana Axcite to develop and implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management.
We know it's difficult, but the benefits are many..."
The international supplier of medicine and medical equipment, Missionpharma, has chosen Bredana Axcite to develop and implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management.
Missionpharma A/S
Industry: Sales and distribution of medicine
Size: Medium-sized
Countries: Denmark, India
Solutions:
As close to standard Dynamics 365 as possible
Missionpharma delivers medicine and medical equipment that annually contributes to the treatment of 100 million people. For several years, a highly customized AX 2012 system has been the backbone of its global supply chain. However, following the end of Microsoft’s support, the group has chosen Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management as its new ERP system.
During the transition, there is a strong focus on keeping the Dynamics 365 solution as close to standard as possible — and it’s not an easy journey.
"We know it's difficult, but the benefits are too many not to pursue the standard," says Thomas Braa Andersen, Head of Global IT at Missionpharma and internal project manager.
Bredana Axcite was selected as a partner in a bidding round with three consulting firms.
"We chose Bredana Axcite because we sensed they were better at thinking in terms of standard — and doing so in an agile way. We also had a clear impression that Bredana Axcite understood our business."
Christian Overgaard, CEO, Missionpharma
The project is solidly anchored in the organization
We met with Christian Overgaard and Thomas Braa Andersen late in the development and implementation process. On the way to the meeting room, we passed through the canteen. Here, a large poster with a drawing of the Phoenix bird — the project’s name — is displayed, and on each side, there is a glass tube with balls. Each ball in the right tube symbolizes a process that has been approved. In the left tube, the balls symbolize processes that have not yet been approved.
The setup in the canteen is visible proof of internal project management with strong leadership involvement and a high level of communication across departments worldwide.
“We run the project in the same way as in very large companies,” says Thomas Braa Andersen, who, before joining Missionpharma, had worked at Novo Nordisk.
“15 percent of an ERP project is technology. The rest is process and people. That’s why we’ve built a strong internal organization around it.”
This means that Christian Overgaard participates in all steering committee meetings with Bredana Axcite, and all members of Missionpharma’s management team have the implementation of the project as a personal goal.
“If there is a challenge in a department regarding the project, the rest of us step in with understanding. We succeed or fail together,” explains Christian Overgaard.
In the monthly global TEAMS employee meeting (with up to 170 participants), 10 minutes are dedicated to Project Phoenix.
This anchoring ensures strong support for the super users working on the front lines of the project.
As of mid-March 2025, the project is progressing according to plan. There is a positive atmosphere around it at all levels. It appears that Missionpharma — in collaboration with Bredana Axcite — is succeeding with the challenging change management process that the development and implementation of a new ERP system with a high degree of standard functionality entails.
This is due in no small part to the determination of the leadership. No one at Missionpharma doubts that the project is critical to the business and places demands on each individual.
"The balls in the two glass tubes symbolize approved and unapproved processes in the new ERP system. They are the visible proof of a high level of internal communication in the project."
Christian Overgaard, CEO, Missionpharma
"Microsoft is a winner"
The decision to implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management had already been made at the group level. The organization aims to achieve the synergy that comes from having all companies on the same solution.
This is welcomed at Missionpharma:
"It’s the right choice for us. Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management is a widely used system, and that brings many advantages. Microsoft is a winner, and it’s a pleasure to work with a system that is so stable and at the same time supports our business processes so broadly," says Thomas Braa Andersen.
He also looks forward to having a system with automatic updates, replacing the major AX upgrades that had become complex and costly due to extensive customizations.
"Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management is the right choice for us. It’s a widely used system, and that brings many advantages. Microsoft is a winner, and it’s a pleasure to work with a system that is so stable."
Thomas Braa Andersen, Head of Global IT, Missionpharma
Bredana Axcite understands our business model…
The choice of Bredana Axcite was based on a combination of factors, with a strong emphasis on their understanding of Missionpharma’s business and their ability to challenge workflows and processes during the transition from a customized ERP solution to a standard one:
"Bredana Axcite spoke our language. They understand our business model and provide constructive pushback," says Christian Overgaard.
“We consulted our network and gathered references. We also partnered with a consulting firm to help us find the right implementation partner. That process led to a final choice between Bredana Axcite and two larger firms,” Christian Overgaard explains.
Complex supply chain processes — Bredana Axcite’s specialty — also played a key role in the decision, as Missionpharma works with advanced kitting.
"We spoke frankly with each other, which allowed us to end the collaboration with the consulting firm earlier than expected," says Christian Overgaard, CEO, Missionpharma.
Good chemistry and flexibility
From the very beginning, Christian Overgaard experienced the benefits of working with a smaller, partner-owned ERP firm — flexibility and short decision-making paths:
"I was still waiting for final approval from our parent company to sign the project contract and begin the process. We found a solution through a CEO-to-CEO conversation with Bredana Axcite."
"We got off to a good start, and our collaboration is built on trust. I’m very satisfied with it," says Christian Overgaard, adding:
"Bredana Axcite responds quickly when there’s something we need."
He also highlights the advantage of having nearly all assigned consultants involved throughout the entire process, along with ongoing financial transparency.
Missionpharma also encountered flexibility on another front early in the project. The company’s large warehouse is located in India, and it saw value in Bredana Axcite collaborating with a local ERP provider for the part of the project involving India’s complex tax regulations.
The agreement was that an Indian company would act as a subcontractor for that portion of the project.
Everything else in the project is handled by the dedicated consultants in Denmark, who travel to India and follow the Supply Chain solutions through to completion, including testing.
"We’re pleased that Bredana Axcite accepted this solution," says Christian Overgaard.
Facts about Missionpharma
Since 1975, Missionpharma has contributed to improving global health as a distributor of medicine and medical products to people around the world.
Each year, more than 100 million people are treated with medicine supplied by Missionpharma.
The company employs 170 people globally, working across five locations in Denmark, Africa, India, and China.
Since 2012, Missionpharma has been part of CFAO Healthcare, which is owned by Toyota Tsusho Corporation. This partnership has strengthened Missionpharma’s ability to serve its customers with sustainable solutions for many years to come.
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