Excel To ERP: UDM Modernized Its Manufacturing Operations

June 23, 2025

Manual workflows. Disconnected tools. Data is scattered across dozens of spreadsheets. That was daily life at UDM, a fast-growing manufacturing company based in the UAE. Like many manufacturers in the region, they were relying on manual processes and patchwork tools to keep operations moving. But those systems couldn’t scale, and they were starting to break.

That changed when UDM partnered with Type B Digital to implement a centralized, modern ERP business software solution designed specifically for manufacturing environments. In just six weeks, UDM transitioned from outdated, error-prone processes to a fully live and integrated ERP platform. The results? A 40% acceleration in sales order processing, real-time inventory visibility, and 100% staff adoption, achieved without overwhelming a non-technical workforce.

Here’s how we made it happen, and why this project is becoming a benchmark for digital transformation across UAE-based manufacturers.

The Challenge: When Growth Outpaces Systems

Before working with Type B, UDM managed everything, from manufacturing schedules to raw material tracking, using spreadsheets and paper files. With no centralized system, their team faced multiple challenges:

  • High error rates from manual data entry
  • Delays in order tracking and inventory updates
  • Zero real-time visibility into operations
  • A growing pressure to scale without scalable systems

According to IDC, nearly 70% of small-to-midsize manufacturers still rely heavily on spreadsheets and disconnected legacy systems, making real-time decision-making difficult and error-prone (Source: IDC Manufacturing Insights, 2023).

Meanwhile, McKinsey reports that inefficient processes cost manufacturers up to 30% of productivity annually, largely due to outdated tools and fragmented systems (Source: McKinsey & Company, “Digital Manufacturing,” 2023).

UDM recognized the need for a scalable, modern ERP business software solution, but with no previous experience using enterprise platforms, the team needed a system that would be easy to adopt, fast to implement, and designed around their exact workflows.

The Goal: Digitize, Streamline, And Scale

UDM’s leadership set clear priorities at the start of the engagement:

  • Digitize core workflows across manufacturing, sales, and inventory
  • Launch a cloud-based ERP platform within eight weeks
  • Migrate legacy data without disrupting day-to-day operations
  • Minimize complexity for a non-technical team
  • Build a long-term foundation for growth

These goals weren’t unique to UDM. They reflect a larger shift across the industry. Deloitte’s 2024 Manufacturing Industry Outlook highlights that 89% of mid-size manufacturers are prioritizing investments in digital operations to stay competitive.

The Solution: A Custom ERP System Built For UDM

Type B Digital led a Phase 1 ERP implementation using Odoo, an open-source ERP business software solution known for its flexibility and scalability. But more importantly, we customized it to fit UDM’s exact processes and capacity.

What We Did

  • Ran discovery workshops with functional leads to map processes and pain points
  • Configured three core ERP modules: Manufacturing, Inventory, and Sales Orders
  • Built a self-service client portal to streamline B2B order tracking
  • Migrated and cleaned legacy data from spreadsheets into the new system
  • Delivered live training for all users and supplied internal documentation
  • Deployed the ERP system on a secure AWS cloud instance with mobile-friendly access

Every element was designed around UDM’s existing workflows and team habits, bringing the power of a custom ERP software deployment without the need for a steep learning curve or external dependencies.

By the end of implementation, the company had a fully functional ERP environment localized for the region, integrated with their internal processes, and built to support future automation.

What Success Looked Like: Tangible Gains In Under 6 Weeks

UDM went live with their new ERP platform in under six weeks. This wasn’t a sandbox or pilot; it was a production-grade environment, built, launched, and adopted within a single project sprint.

Here’s what changed post-implementation:

  • All key operational data moved from Excel into a secure ERP system
  • Sales order processing became 40% faster
  • Every team member was trained and actively using the system within the first 30 days
  • Real-time inventory dashboards replaced manual reconciliation
  • Teams gained centralized control via mobile-optimized interfaces

In short, the custom ERP software we delivered wasn’t just a digital upgrade; it was a full operational transformation.

Why This Worked: The Power Of Fast, Human-Centered Delivery

Success wasn’t just about the tools; it was about how we delivered.

Traditional ERP rollouts can take months, if not years, and often stall due to over-engineering or user resistance. Our approach was lean, fast, and business-aligned:

  • Delivered in sprints with visible, working milestones
  • Embedded training from the start, not just at the end
  • Mapped ERP features directly to business processes
  • Focused on adoption, not just configuration

By focusing on outcomes over features, and usability over complexity, we were able to make the system not only work, but stick.

How Type B Digital Delivers ERP That Works

At Type B, we don’t just implement software. We modernize entire workflows by delivering ERP business software solutions that make sense for people, not just platforms.


Our ERP Delivery Model:

  • Hands-on discovery and process mapping
  • Clean, intuitive UI design layered onto platforms like Odoo
  • Secure, scalable cloud hosting
  • Customizations including client portals, accounting integrations, and multilingual UI
  • Full documentation, training, and ongoing support

For teams moving from spreadsheets or outdated legacy tools, our goal is to make ERP feel simple, practical, and fast, while still being powerful and extensible.

Whether you need a basic deployment or a multi-phase enterprise solution, we build with adoption in mind and scale in scope.

Final Word: ERP That Works For Your Team

ERP Development: Transforming Middle East Manufacturing isn’t just a tagline; it’s a reality many businesses are experiencing today. Implementing an ERP system doesn’t have to take 12 months or disrupt your business in the process. 

UDM’s story proves that, with the right partner, manufacturing companies in the UAE and beyond can go from fragmented, spreadsheet-based workflows to fully digitized operations in just weeks.

At Type B Digital, we deliver ERP business software solutions that are easy to adopt, built to scale, and designed around real teams, not assumptions.

If you’re ready to make the shift, we’re here to help.

Let’s collaborate on your next big idea.