Microsoft partner Artis Group powers solar energy provider ZEN Energy

South Australia is under pressure to find creative solutions around both energy and jobs and Microsoft partner Artis Group has helped one of the state's leading solar companies to find answers for both.

ZEN Energy is an Adelaide-headquartered solar company that has been active since 2004 and boasts a renewables portfolio that includes solar energy systems and battery storage.

While no stranger to innovation in power generation, the company wanted to upgrade the technology helping its sales team respond to a growing demand for residential battery storage.

Sydney-headquartered Artis Group, which expanded into Adelaide through the 2014 acquisition of Tapestry, delivered a "market-leading, cloud-based, scalable, visionary and integrated solution for full customer lifecycle interaction" based on Microsoft Dynamics 365.

It provides ZEN Energy with a mechanism for jobs growth, economic contribution and expansion in the highly competitive solar energy market.

Thanks to improved customer attraction, sales conversion and customer retention, Zen Energy recently experienced the most significant sales months in its more than 10-year history.

The Artis Group solution combines a range of Microsoft modules, such as Dynamics 365 for Sales, Dynamics 365 for Customer Service and Dynamics Marketing, which has been integrated with MailChimp.

Dynamics 365 for Field Service is used to provide work orders and inventory management, while the Dynamics 365 Field Service mobile application is used by field services staff.

Artis also integrated Office 365 and Power BI, which delivers flexible reporting on trend and projection for all Dynamics 365 activities. The KingswaySoft SSIS integration toolkit connects Dynamics 365 with ZEN Energy's MYOB EXO finance system.

Karen Jarrett, ZEN Energy's chief financial officer, said: "Dynamics 365 was a transformational project for all areas of the business – from lead generation and capture through to opportunities and quotes and the enhanced customer experience through changes in field service.

"This has led to optimisation and efficiencies throughout the business which continues to support our position as a leader in the renewable energy market.

"Artis Group was able to demonstrate a comprehensive and relevant solution whilst maintaining the vision of the guiding principles of the project and the mission of the organisation," Jarrett said.