Furniture retailer Modloft wrestled with disconnected software systems that hampered customer service. Then Modloft partnered with Stellar One to implement an integrated ERP solution. The result was a seamless transformation that freed their team to focus on service and innovation rather than constant technical troubleshooting.
The Company: Modloft
Modloft offers modern Italian-inspired furniture to customers at competitive prices. For nearly 20 years, they've curated high-quality designs that typically retail for three to four times more elsewhere. As CEO Michael Dornblum describes it: "We bring beautiful, modern, European-inspired furniture to life, and we bring it with more value."
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The Challenge: Too Many Moving Parts
Before deciding to implement an ERP platform with Stellar One, Modloft struggled with a patchwork of disconnected systems. Their "best of breed" approach meant they had adopted separate software tools for different business functions:
- Order management through SKUbana (later called Extensiv)
- Purchase orders through Anvyl
- Customer-facing sales through Shopify
- Multiple other specialized platforms
This fragmented information created constant headaches. As CTO Mike Lambert explains: "We had to constantly write software to help our purchase orders speak to our logistics. It seemed like a good plan on paper. But when it came to practice, it was just very difficult to maintain."
The disconnected systems forced staff to check multiple platforms before answering simple customer questions. Tech support had to cross-reference four different systems to address basic inquiries. Sales representatives couldn't quickly access the information they needed when helping customers design rooms.
Dornblum describes what was missing for the team: "Our sales team needed really clear, defined tools. They're in front of a customer, they're trying to make a sale, they're trying to help the customer design a room, and they just need answers."
“Our sales team needed really clear, defined tools.”
The Breaking Point: An Overloaded Team
Despite Lambert's team working tirelessly to connect these systems, problems kept mounting. As Dornblum recalls: "No matter how hard they worked, they just kept getting more work piled on them."
The constant need to write custom code to patch systems together took attention away from improving their customer experience.
"With our people always having to fix problems with connecting systems, we weren't focused on providing service at a high level. We all needed to be able to focus on the customer."
The Search for an ERP Solution
Modloft needed an integrated system that could handle their specific business requirements and simplify their operations. Their search eventually narrowed to two options: Odoo and Acumatica.
During their evaluation, Modloft presented specific challenges to both potential ERP partners. Lambert explains their approach: "We went through an elaborate and specific example of a real problem that we had. We asked each potential partner how they would address it.”
While both systems had promise, Modloft chose Acumatica implemented by Stellar One. Dornblum explains: "I think Acumatica is a good product, Odoo is a good product. I think either of them could have worked. The difference was that we felt really good about the people at Stellar One."
“The difference was that we felt really good about the people at Stellar One.”
The relationship with Stellar One was crucial to their decision. Dornblum shares: "So much of it was the relationship — who are we working with? People promise you the world. But when it's 75% there, who are the people that are going to be standing by you to deliver on what they said?"
The ERP Implementation Experience
The implementation process featured dedicated Stellar One team members working directly with Modloft staff across departments. As Lambert describes: "There were counterparts at Stellar One for all of the people at Modloft. For example, there was somebody really powerful in the financial world that worked directly with our CFO."
Stellar One's project management kept everything on track without creating stress. Lambert notes: "The Stellar One project manager for our work was as pleasant as a human can be, and yet nothing could be late, nothing could slip by. Somehow it was never offensive, it was always polite, but we were kept on track."
Under a tight timeline, the Stellar One team showed remarkable dedication. Lambert says: "There were many times where our IT team and the Stellar One IT team were on the phone at seven or eight at night because we had a need. Not once did anybody say, 'It's pretty late, are you sure you need to meet now?' We just met and got it done."
Dornblum agrees: "Anytime there was a problem, Stellar One would address it. I never felt at any point any kind of frustration. There was no finger pointing. It was like, 'Hey, this didn't work, but this worked great. Let's talk it through.'
The Key ERP Integrations
Two critical integrations made the solution work:
- Shopify: Connecting their customer-facing store seamlessly with back-end operations
- 3PL Central: Managing their warehouse and delivery operations
"Without the integration of Shopify, the functionality would break down. And without the integration to 3PL Central to help us with warehousing and the last mile of delivery, it wouldn’t have worked either. The integration was a requirement; it couldn’t be optional."
The Results: A Smooth Transition and Happy Team
The transition to Acumatica went remarkably well. Dornblum notes: "I think our team was waiting for that punch to come, thinking we would launch and then life would be really tough during the switchover. But that tough launch never came."
For customer-facing staff, Dornblum says, the change was nearly invisible, and sales continued without disruption: "Our customer-facing people, they just lived in Shopify to get the information that they need. And I think back to past times when we had software changes, when glitches froze their work or embarrassed them in front of their customers. But instead, this time, they just rolled right on and did their job."
"Our sales didn't miss a beat, frankly, when we switched from where we were before the implementation to where we are now. Sales did not slow down, did not stop."
The logistics team quickly embraced the new system: "Once we got through that two-week period, the team fell in love with the product,” Lambert notes. “Everything moves through the system, adding all the detail that's necessary for the new state of that order. There's really little question as to where our product is and what's about to happen."
The ongoing support has been equally impressive. Lambert explains: "I still have Stellar One to go to anytime I need. I've met most of the people on the Stellar One side now, and I have kind of a personal rapport. I'm not even sure you would call us separate companies. It's kind of an even flow of information, data, and support."
"I still have Stellar One to go to anytime I need. I've met most of the people on the Stellar One side now, and I have kind of a personal rapport."
Looking Ahead: New Opportunities
With their foundational systems now stable, Modloft can focus on growth and innovation. "When you have peace of mind, it's easier to take next steps,” Dornblum says. “We've wanted to do a PDP update on our site. There are tools that we want to build – all customer-facing improvements, fun things to do, brand-building things."
"We have the freedom now to grow other parts of our business without that anxiety."
Dornblum explains that their tech team can now focus on these improvements without constant interruptions: "My concern was that we were going to add another project, and it was going to take 6, 8, 10 months or not get launched because they're constantly stopping, losing their flow. But instead, we have the freedom now to grow other parts of our business without that anxiety."
Success Through a Stellar Partnership
By partnering with Stellar One to implement Acumatica, Modloft transformed their operations from a fragmented, stressful environment to a streamlined, integrated system.
The thoughtful implementation process, critical integrations with Shopify and 3PL Central, and strong ongoing support from Stellar One have positioned Modloft for continued growth and success.
Here's Modloft leadership in person with some of their key observations from the partnership:
Your business can benefit from the same dedication and expertise that informed Modloft’s ERP implementation. If you’re ready to discover what Stellar One’s commitment to superior partnership can do for your growing business, sign up for our 45-day Risk-Free Trial today.
