A Midwest Frozen Food Manufacturer
How a regional DSD operation scaled into a multi-state powerhouse — with HandApps embedded in every route, every delivery, and every invoice for over 14 years.
Industry: Frozen Food Manufacturing & Distribution (DSD)
Region: Midwest, distributing multi-state
Founded: 1982
ERP: Microsoft Business Central (previously Dynamics NAV, previously Sage SBT)
HandApps customer since: 2012
A growing DSD operation that needed a mobile platform to keep pace
By 2012, this manufacturer had already made the strategic shift from warehouse distribution to Direct Store Delivery. Their routes were growing, their brands were multiplying, and their field teams were the frontline of customer relationships across the Midwest.
That year, the company was also making a major ERP transition — moving from Sage SBT Accounting to Microsoft Dynamics NAV. They needed a mobile DSD solution that could integrate tightly with NAV, handle the demands of route sales and delivery, and scale with a company that had no intention of slowing down.
Full-Stack DSD
Route sales, proof of delivery, mobile invoicing, van inventory, stock counts, barcode scanning, and on-route printing — needed in one platform.
A Simultaneous ERP Move
Standing up mobile DSD while migrating from Sage SBT to Microsoft Dynamics NAV — the mobile app had to integrate tightly from day one.
A Partner, Not a Product
A vendor that would build to their operation and scale through growth and acquisitions — not a fixed feature set.
HandApps — a full-stack DSD platform that grows with the business
The company selected HandApps as their DSD platform in 2012. From day one, HandApps delivered a complete solution — not a minimum viable product with promises of future functionality, but a production-ready platform covering every aspect of their route operations.
Route Sales & DSD
Complete route-to-cash operations — from loading the van to delivering product, capturing signatures, and syncing invoices back to the ERP.
Proof of Delivery
Download ERP orders, fulfill deliveries, adjust quantities, capture signatures, and print confirmations — all from the device.
Stock Tracking & Counts
Van inventory, physical counts, and transfer orders — accurate stock levels from warehouse to vehicle to shelf.
Barcode Scanning & Printing
Scan products for faster order entry and inventory counts. Print invoices, delivery confirmations, and reports on-route.
DEX Integration
Electronic invoice transmission directly into retailer systems — meeting the requirements of major grocery chains.
SharePoint Integration
Automatic upload of delivery PDFs, images, and reports to SharePoint, with file management linked to sales documents.
Two ERP migrations, one platform transition, multiple acquisitions — zero disruption
What makes this relationship remarkable isn't just the initial deployment — it's how the platform has scaled and adapted through more than a decade of continuous change.
2012 — Partnership Begins
HandApps deploys on Microsoft Windows Mobile, integrated with Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Full DSD route operations go live.
2012–2017 — Organic Growth
New routes added steadily. In 2016 the company acquired another frozen food manufacturer, expanding into numerous additional states. HandApps scales with each expansion through add-on modules and customizations.
2018 — Android Migration
Transition from Windows Mobile to Android. HandApps migrates the entire deployment — including every customization built over the prior six years — seamlessly.
2019–2022 — Acquisitions & Route Expansion
Additional acquisitions of other food manufacturers add new brands, territories, and distribution capabilities. New drivers onboarded, new routes configured, platform scaled at every step.
2023 — Business Central Migration
Migration from Dynamics NAV to Microsoft Business Central. HandApps delivers full BC integration — all functionality, modules, and customizations carry forward without interruption.
2023–Present — Continued Growth
Another frozen food manufacturer acquired, a third manufacturing facility added, and a bakery expansion significantly increases production capacity. HandApps supports an increasingly complex, multi-facility operation.
Platforms & ERP History
2012: Sage SBT → Microsoft Dynamics NAV
2012–2018: HandApps on Windows Mobile
2018: Migrated to Android
2023: Dynamics NAV → Microsoft Business Central
A partner that moves heaven and earth to keep operations running
For this customer, the value of HandApps goes beyond the software. It's the relationship — the certainty that when something needs attention, HandApps responds immediately and doesn't stop until the issue is resolved. Over 14 years, they have requested numerous modifications and enhancements to meet evolving operational needs. HandApps has delivered every one — not as one-off patches, but as permanent, production-quality features built into the core platform.
Immediate Response
When an issue arises, HandApps mobilizes immediately — no ticket queues, no waiting for the next release cycle.
Customization Without Fragmentation
Every modification is a configurable feature controlled by settings switches — not a code branch. One codebase serves all customers.
Permanent Enhancements
Customer-requested features carry forward automatically through every update, platform migration, and ERP change.
True Partnership
HandApps doesn't just maintain the software — they understand the business and proactively recommend solutions as operations evolve.
14 years of uninterrupted DSD operations and growth
Scalable Growth
From a regional Midwest operation to multi-state DSD distribution — HandApps scaled at every step without re-implementation.
Platform Continuity
Windows Mobile to Android. Sage to NAV to Business Central. Every transition seamless, with all functionality preserved.
Full-Stack DSD
Route sales, POD, stock tracking, DEX, SharePoint, barcode scanning, and printing — all running on one integrated platform.
Customer name and identifying details withheld at their request. We protect our customers' operational and systems information as a matter of practice. Full details — and a direct conversation with this customer — are available to qualified prospects during an active evaluation.
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