CountryMark Case Study | AXIA Consulting

1. Project Overview

Project Overview

Key Achievements

About CountryMark

The Challenge

AXIA's Solution

Project Outcomes

The AXIA Difference

Meet the Project Team

Project Overview

A Strategic Partnership for ERP Stability and Growth

CountryMark, a leading American-owned oil exploration, production, and refining cooperative, partnered with AXIA Consulting to stabilize and optimize its D365 Finance and Supply Chain platform. Over the course of four years, AXIA’s tailored support and guidance enabled CountryMark to transition from reactive issue management to strategic, internal ownership of its D365 upgrade process, ultimately supporting the company’s operational growth and system evolution.

Stabilization Post-Hypercare

AXIA helped stabilize the D365 system post-implementation, ensuring seamless operations and effective issue resolution.

Strategic System Evolution

AXIA shifted CountryMark’s focus from simple issue resolution to strategic prioritization of system enhancements that align with business growth.

Ownership of D365 Upgrade Process

CountryMark successfully implemented an internal, strategic upgrade process, enabling them to autonomously manage Microsoft-mandated biannual upgrades.

About CountryMark

An American-Owned Cooperative Leading the Energy Sector

CountryMark Cooperative Holding Corp. is an American-owned and farmer-owned oil exploration, production, refining, and marketing company. Since its founding in 1919, CountryMark has been providing premium liquid fuels and lubricants, including biodiesel and ethanol blends. Operating out of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, their production includes over 900 oil wells, a private 238-mile pipeline, and 100 branded fuel stations. In 2022, CountryMark was recognized as the 27th largest cooperative in the U.S.

The Challenge

Navigating the Complexities of D365 Upgrade Management

CountryMark migrated from AX2012 to D365 Finance and Supply Chain, encountering both challenges and opportunities. Microsoft’s biannual mandatory upgrades necessitated a shift in how CountryMark approached system maintenance. They needed to establish internal processes to manage and execute these upgrades efficiently without disrupting daily operations, but lacked the internal experience to take full ownership of this critical task.

Best Practices for D365 Upgrade Management

Focused on scheduling, release analysis, and testing automation to streamline the upgrade process.

Annual Operational Planning Integration

Ensured D365 upgrades were seamlessly integrated into CountryMark’s yearly business and operational cycles.

Internal Team Training and Empowerment

Provided hands-on training to help CountryMark's internal team manage and execute upgrades with minimal disruption.

Proactive System Monitoring and Optimization

Delivered continuous support to identify and resolve potential system issues, enhancing performance between upgrades.

Meet the Project Team

CountryMark continues to collaborate closely with AXIA’s dedicated team for strategic support in evolving their D365 platform. Glenn Keller, Director of Information Technology, and Karen Stephens, Project Delivery and Business Analysis Manager, work alongside AXIA’s ERP experts to stay ahead of system updates, ensuring optimal performance and operational efficiency. This ongoing relationship fosters continuous growth, enabling CountryMark to confidently manage future developments in their ERP journey.