Case study
HJS and Sage Data & Analytics
Customer case study
Alley-Cassetty
and Zap Data Hub
Customer case study
Alley-Cassetty and Zap Data Hub
Laying the Foundation for Smarter Decisions
How Alley-Cassetty built a data-driven future with Zap
About Alley-Cassetty
Alley-Cassetty is a 146-year-old, family-owned business specialising in brick, block, and stone distribution and manufacturing.
As the market leader in Middle Tennessee, the company operates 14 yards, six manufacturing locations, and a fleet of over 115 vehicles.
With a deep-rooted history and a forward-thinking approach, Alley-Cassetty is committed to innovation and operational excellence.
Industry
Building Materials Manufacture, Distribution
Website
Solution
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Background
For over a century, Alley-Cassetty has built its reputation on quality products and reliable service. However, as the business expanded and operations became more complex, the company faced growing challenges in managing financial data and reporting. With multiple cost centres spanning two separate companies, financial reporting had become an increasingly difficult and time-consuming process.
The finance team relied on manual processes that involved pulling data from various systems, consolidating it in spreadsheets, and generating static PDF reports. This approach resulted in delays, inconsistencies, and a lack of real-time insights, making it difficult for decision-makers to respond swiftly to changing business conditions. Recognising the need for a more sophisticated solution, Alley-Cassetty began exploring options for modernising its data management and analytics capabilities. The goal was to replace manual reporting with an automated system that would not only save time but also improve accuracy, accessibility, and strategic decision-making.
After evaluating several options, Alley-Cassetty chose to implement Zap’s data automation and analytics platform, which promised seamless integration with their existing SYSPRO ERP system.
Challenges faced
Before implementing Zap, Alley-Cassetty encountered several operational hurdles that slowed down financial reporting and decision-making:
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Time-consuming manual reporting – Monthly financial reports took an entire week to prepare, requiring finance staff to extract data manually and consolidate information across multiple cost centres.
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Limited data accessibility – Executives and department heads received static PDF reports that lacked interactive features, making it difficult to drill down into financial insights or analyse trends.
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Outdated and inconsistent data – The reliance on static queries and spreadsheets meant that reports did not automatically update when new warehouses or product lines were added, leading to discrepancies in reporting.
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Inefficient sales commission reporting – The finance team spent three full days calculating sales commissions manually, followed by additional weeks of reconciliation and adjustments.
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Lack of real-time insights – Business leaders had to make critical decisions based on outdated data, limiting their ability to respond quickly to financial trends and operational changes.
I was underwater. It took me a full week to prepare financials, and even then, the reports weren’t digestible or actionable.
Bill Westman,
Chief Financial Officer, Alley-Cassetty
Solution outcomes
To address these challenges, Alley-Cassetty implemented Zap’s data automation and analytics platform, seamlessly integrating it with their SYSPRO ERP system. The solution delivered a range of key benefits:
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Automated financial reporting – Reports that previously took a full week to compile are now generated in real time, reducing administrative burden and improving accuracy.
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Interactive dashboards – Leadership teams now have instant access to key financial and operational data via dynamic, interactive dashboards that allow for deep analysis and real- time decision-making.
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Automated sales commission reports – What once required three days of manual effort is now calculated and distributed automatically by the second day of each month, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.
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Exception-based reporting – Real-time alerts flag unmapped GL accounts and other data inconsistencies, ensuring that reports are fully accurate before they are shared with stakeholders.
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Enhanced accounts receivable tracking – The finance team now receives automated reports on overdue payments, allowing them to proactively manage credit risk and improve cash flow.
Figure 1: Company Summary Report
Figure 2: Dispatch Map
A more dynamic solution in action
A key example of Zap’s impact was on sales commission reporting, a historically time-intensive process. Previously, Bill Westman, CFO, would spend three days manually extracting and reconciling data. If discrepancies were found, the process would take even longer, delaying financial reporting.
With Zap’s automation, by the morning of the second day of the month, the report is ready without any manual intervention. This shift has freed up valuable time, ensuring accuracy and reducing stress across the finance team.
Another example is proactive credit management. Before Zap, managers were often caught off guard when customers were placed on credit hold. Now, with automated alerts 15 days in advance, teams can act pre-emptively, securing payments and preventing business disruptions.
Additionally, Alley-Cassetty’s finance team has been able to reallocate time saved from manual data entry to more strategic activities, such as forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning. The automation of routine tasks has enabled the company to shift its focus from merely reporting past results to proactively shaping the future.
Outcomes & competitive advantage
The implementation of Zap delivered transformational results for Alley-Cassetty:
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90% reduction in reporting time – Monthly financials that previously required a week of effort are now completed at the click of a button.
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100% data accuracy – Automated exception reporting ensures complete data integrity, reducing errors and inconsistencies.
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Faster decision-making – Executives can now review up-to-date financial performance every morning, allowing for agile and informed decision-making.
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Sales efficiency gains – The ability to track dormant customers through automated reports has empowered the sales team to proactively re-engage past clients and drive revenue growth.
We wake up every morning to real-time insights instead of scrambling through outdated reports.
Patrick Speak,
Chief Operating Officer, Alley-Cassetty
Seamless integration & scalable growth
One of the most significant advantages of Zap was its ease of implementation and scalability:
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No IT team required – With no internal IT department, Alley-Cassetty found Zap’s user-friendly interface intuitive, allowing the finance team to self-manage reports and dashboards.
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Customisable and flexible – The CFO and finance team can now build and modify reports on demand, tailoring insights to specific business needs.
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Future-proof analytics – Alley-Cassetty is leveraging Zap’s predictive analytics capabilities to develop models for inventory planning, customer retention, and operational optimisation.
Looking ahead - future vision
With Zap’s successful implementation, Alley-Cassetty is now looking to expand its analytics capabilities:
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Predictive inventory management – Using AI-driven analytics to anticipate product demand, helping to optimise stock levels and reduce excess inventory.
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Deeper sales insights – Refining customer segmentation and sales forecasting for more personalised engagement and targeted growth strategies.
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Operational efficiency improvements – Exploring automation in fleet management and logistics to enhance delivery efficiency and reduce costs.
Conclusion
By implementing Zap, Alley-Cassetty has transformed its financial reporting process from a labour-intensive, manual task into an automated, real-time decision-making system. The company now operates with greater confidence, efficiency, and insight, positioning itself for continued success and growth in an increasingly competitive market.
Before Zap, reporting was a painful, manual process. Now, we have real-time data at our fingertips, allowing us to move faster and make smarter decisions.
Bill Westman,
Chief Financial Officer, Alley-Cassetty
Partnership highlights
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90% reduction in reporting time – Monthly financial reports that once took a full week to compile are now generated instantly, freeing up valuable time for strategic decision-making.
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Increased interdepartmental alignment – Zap centralised key metrics, providing a single source of truth across departments.
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Empowered teams with self-service reporting – Modeller and reporter communities now manage their own data, increasing efficiency.
Sage Data & Analytics (SD&A) provides HJS with a sightline into the business it previously lacked.
Industry:
Logistics and Transportation
Website:
Requirements:
Advanced capabilities and broad, deep visibility into the financial and operational aspects of the company
Data Sources:
Sage 100
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Background
HJS Packaging & Distribution (HJS) helps some of the world’s most recognizable brands improve efficiency and increase profits through innovative solutions in private-label packaging, inventory management, global distribution, and order fulfillment services.
With distribution centers across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, HJS helps its customers stay focused on running their businesses, while it handles the logistics. Staying out in front requires real-time actionable data, and HJS relies on Sage 100 and Sage Data & Analytics to deliver that data.
Challenges
When Dean started with HJS four years ago, the company had not yet expanded beyond the U.S. borders. “The business was about to get much more complicated,” he explains. “To scale HJS effectively, we needed advanced capabilities and broad, deep visibility into the financial and operational aspects of the company.”
Dean says the company briefly entertained the idea of switching to another ERP application, but their business partner convinced them otherwise. “Essentially, they told us we had a Ferrari under the hood, and after the reimplementation, we’d be off to the races. They re-implemented Sage 100 for us based on our current, more complex business structure. In addition, we added several complementary applications, including Sage Data & Analytics, and revamped our chart of accounts to make it simpler and more scalable.”
Solutions
Sage Data & Analytics gives HJS a sightline into the business it never had before. “For example, we can review profitability by warehouse, by customer, and by product line,” says Dean. “That visibility was invaluable during the pandemic. As supply chains everywhere were interrupted globally, we were able to be strategic about which orders to fill and when.”
HJS staff leverages Sage Data & Analytics dashboards to provide fast, easy access to the information needed to do their jobs. “Often, it’s more intuitive to see a graph or a chart,” notes Dean. “We’re making complicated decisions with ramifications for ourselves and our customers, so we need to be certain we’re considering our data from every angle.”
He concludes, “Previously, we felt we were largely in the dark, running the company based on our experience and hunches. Now we run the business on real-time facts, keeping our finger on the pulse of operations, and making strategic decisions more quickly.”
Benefits
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Financial reporting time cut by 50 percent.
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Actionable data available immediately after installation.
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Real-time insight into operations speeds decision making.
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Orders quadrupled due to automated workflow, requiring few additional hires.
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Reports and dashboards are easily customized by staff, saving time and money
Sage Data & Analytics (SD&A) provides HJS with a sightline into the business it previously lacked.
Industry:
Logistics and Transportation
Website:
Requirements:
Advanced capabilities and broad, deep visibility into the financial and operational aspects of the company
Data Sources:
Sage 100
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Background
HJS Packaging & Distribution (HJS) helps some of the world’s most recognizable brands improve efficiency and increase profits through innovative solutions in private-label packaging, inventory management, global distribution, and order fulfillment services.
With distribution centers across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, HJS helps its customers stay focused on running their businesses, while it handles the logistics. Staying out in front requires real-time actionable data, and HJS relies on Sage 100 and Sage Data & Analytics to deliver that data.
Challenges
When Dean started with HJS four years ago, the company had not yet expanded beyond the U.S. borders. “The business was about to get much more complicated,” he explains. “To scale HJS effectively, we needed advanced capabilities and broad, deep visibility into the financial and operational aspects of the company.”
Dean says the company briefly entertained the idea of switching to another ERP application, but their business partner convinced them otherwise. “Essentially, they told us we had a Ferrari under the hood, and after the reimplementation, we’d be off to the races. They re-implemented Sage 100 for us based on our current, more complex business structure. In addition, we added several complementary applications, including Sage Data & Analytics, and revamped our chart of accounts to make it simpler and more scalable.”
Solutions
Sage Data & Analytics gives HJS a sightline into the business it never had before. “For example, we can review profitability by warehouse, by customer, and by product line,” says Dean. “That visibility was invaluable during the pandemic. As supply chains everywhere were interrupted globally, we were able to be strategic about which orders to fill and when.”
HJS staff leverages Sage Data & Analytics dashboards to provide fast, easy access to the information needed to do their jobs. “Often, it’s more intuitive to see a graph or a chart,” notes Dean. “We’re making complicated decisions with ramifications for ourselves and our customers, so we need to be certain we’re considering our data from every angle.”
He concludes, “Previously, we felt we were largely in the dark, running the company based on our experience and hunches. Now we run the business on real-time facts, keeping our finger on the pulse of operations, and making strategic decisions more quickly.”
Benefits
-
Financial reporting time cut by 50 percent.
-
Actionable data available immediately after installation.
-
Real-time insight into operations speeds decision making.
-
Orders quadrupled due to automated workflow, requiring few additional hires.
-
Reports and dashboards are easily customized by staff, saving time and money