Annata is a vertical software company focused exclusively on the automotive, trucks and buses, and equipment industries. Founded in 2001 in Iceland, Annata builds and delivers A365 — a cloud-based business platform on Microsoft Dynamics 365 — to help industry businesses unify their operations, connect their data, and run more efficiently from a single environment.

Annata A365 is a cloud-based business platform built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, designed to unify ERP, CRM, and DMS for automotive, trucks and buses, and equipment businesses. It connects sales, service, warranty, parts, rental, fleet, and dealer operations in one environment, giving every team real-time data from a single shared foundation.

Which industries does Annata serve?

Annata builds exclusively for three industries: automotive (dealers, importers, and OEM distributors), trucks and buses (fleet operators, commercial vehicle dealers, and leasing companies), and equipment (rental companies, construction equipment dealers, and agricultural machinery businesses). A365 is not a generic platform configured for these industries. It is purpose-built for them.

How is A365 different from a generic ERP?

A generic ERP handles finance, procurement, and supply chain. A365 adds the workflows industry businesses actually run: VIN-level vehicle tracking, warranty claims management, rental and fleet contract management, dealer portal operations, and OEM integration. These capabilities are native to A365, not bolted on through customisation that breaks with every software update.

What technology is A365 built on?

A365 is built natively on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and extended with deep industry-specific functionality. The full stack includes Microsoft Dynamics 365, Azure, Copilot, Power Platform, and Dataverse. Annata is a Microsoft GISV and Inner Circle member within the top one percent of Microsoft Dynamics partners globally.

Can A365 be adopted in stages?

Yes. A365 can be adopted as a full end-to-end platform or through focused modules: Sales, Service Center, Field Mechanic, Workshop Mechanic, Warranty, Parts, Dealer Portal, Inspections, Contract Management, and Rental and Fleet. Start with the area of the business that needs the most attention. Add capabilities as the operation grows, without replacing the platform.

Where does Annata operate?

Annata was founded in Iceland in 2001 and now serves businesses across more than 100 countries through a network of more than 50 channel partners. A365 handles multi-entity, multi-currency, and multi-language operations from a single connected environment, making it suitable for both regional businesses and large global enterprise operations.

How Hessel Trucks went from a blank paper to a blueprint for the future

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In 2022, Hessel Trucks, Denmark’s largest licensed Mercedes-Benz truck dealer became a general distributor of Mercedes-Benz trucks with no import management system in place. They were starting from a blank page.

Within less than a year, Hessel Trucks had a fully operational A365 system covering dealer truck orders, spare parts purchasing, service contract creation, full invoicing, and dealer portal access, built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, integrated with the Daimler DMS.

The implementation became a standout reference case at Mercedes-Benz and Daimler headquarters in Stuttgart. A365 has since been extended to cover Hessel Trucks’ Mercedes-Benz and Setra bus import operations.

Read the full Hessel Trucks case study →
Explore A365 for trucks & buses →
Talk to our team →

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North American material handling dealer selects Annata for equipment lifecycle management across 60+ locations

North America

Dealer

A prominent material handling equipment dealer, with a network spanning over 60 locations across North America, is committed to delivering a full range of services, including new and used equipment, rentals, parts, service solutions, and training, with a strong emphasis on exceptional customer service.

The collaboration between Annata and Microsoft that led to the successful partnership with the customer was built on a foundation of team expertise and trust, ensuring a strong working relationship.

In their initiative to replace the current system, the company aspired to migrate to a modern, Azure cloud-based platform to optimize their Microsoft Dynamics investment. The primary goals included standardising operations, ensuring scalability, and eliminating system performance constraints.

The decision to upgrade to Dynamics 365 stemmed from challenges such as instability, poor performance, and growth limitations experienced in their previous solution installation.

The overarching objective was to address these issues and enhance the overall efficiency and stability of their operational environment. Annata’s offering stood out with its equipment lifecycle functionality, addressing the customer’s specific needs in a tailored manner. System performance and adherence to Independent Software Vendor (ISV) compliance were pivotal aspects that contributed to the decision, assuring the customer of a reliable, proven solution.

Annata’s commitment to ongoing development, reflected in their ecosystem investment and roadmap, aligned well with the customer’s long-term goals. Microsoft’s Proof of Concept (POC) support played a crucial role in demonstrating the capabilities of the proposed Dynamics 365 solution.

The success of the partnership was further cemented by the strong collaboration and partnership ethos shared between Annata and Microsoft, ensuring a thorough and effective approach to meeting the customer’s requirements.

North American automotive distributor connects 150+ dealerships and improves vehicle ordering with A365

North America

Distributor

A privately-owned enterprise with a significant presence in the automotive industry, operates as a key distributor for a globally recognized automotive brand. As the largest independent distributor for this brand on a global scale, the division serves a network over 150 independent dealerships.

Previously relying on an outdated “Green Screen” system and managing a complex network of around 200 applications, the company recognized the need for a significant operational change. The existing system, developed over 25 years, had become inadequate for evolving dealer needs, leading to technical debt rather than delivering value. To address this, the enterprise sought a modern solution to meet the dynamic requirements of the automotive industry and enhance overall operational efficiency. The Microsoft Dynamics 365 and A365 combination were selected to improve forecasting, streamline vehicle ordering processes, and reduce lead times from inspection to final delivery.

The enterprise now uses the full A365 platform, including warranty management and rental services, to optimize its operations. The pivotal factor in selecting this solution was the ability to offer a platform tailored to the automotive industry, providing comprehensive visibility, management, and controls throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle. This capability formed the cornerstone of a compelling value narrative, resonating strongly with a diverse group of stakeholders.

The decision to choose Microsoft Dynamics and A365 exemplified a strategic approach, wherein technology was prioritized first, aligning subsequently with the market for a systems integrator. This decision underscored the strategic fit of the chosen technology to the specific needs of the enterprise, setting the stage for a successful implementation.

Key automotive importer and dealer adopts Dynamics 365 and A365 for end-to-end operations

Latin America

Importer and dealer

Founded in 1963 in Latin America, this key player in the local automotive industry has solidified its standing among the top groups in the sector. Over six decades, the company has maintained consistent growth, establishing a strong financial foundation.

Central to their success is a commitment to transparent management, enabling them to overcome challenges. The company prioritizes key strategic pillars, including business sustainability, delivering exceptional customer experiences, nurturing a skilled workforce, embracing technology, and forming strategic alliances. These pillars reflect the company’s approach to ensuring long-term success and resilience in the automotive industry.

To enhance their operations, the company opted for Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations combined with A365 and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement combined with A365. In the evaluation process, various global and regional players were considered, with the chosen combination ultimately selected based on key factors.

The decision to choose this particular combination was influenced by factors such as embracing new technologies for future growth, an abundance of experienced consultants for technology implementation, a cloud-hosted solution with flexible services, and an excellent cost-benefit Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) ratio.

Additionally, the choice of Annata was motivated by their extensive expertise in the automotive sector, a strong market presence, a committed research and development (R&D) plan, and certification capabilities with a cost-effective Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

This combination of solutions was deemed the optimal choice, aligning with the organization’s strategic goals and providing an effective solution for their business needs.

RV manufacturer reduces warranty costs and improves dealer claim processing with Annata

North America

Manufacturer

Annata was chosen as a solutions provider to replace a 20-year-old heavily customized legacy system for an RV manufacturer. The systems in use were not supplying prompt information to the management team and model changes for production were painful to implement.

The implementation was vital to simplify access to data and increase service levels to its different dealers. The manufacturer selected Annata due to Annata’s global ISV status and strong solution functionalities to manage their critical workload, particularly those that require interaction with their dealer channel.

Annata’s dealer portal solution has improved dealer relationships with a quicker turnaround on warranty claim decisions and processing.

In parallel, the manufacturer can now apply warranty rules and validations. The dealer portal is a win for the manufacturer in reducing warranty costs while improving dealer and customer relationships.

The manufacturer expects overall improved management reporting for executives and operations. Operational improvements include rationalized bills of materials, costing, and managing production change orders effectively. The manufacturer expects its dealers to have a more efficient process for warranty claims that will result in a reduced payment time, while still preventing fraudulent or duplicate claims.

Mexican vehicle manufacturer subsidiary replaces 20-year-old legacy systems with Annata and Dynamics 365

Southern North America

Manufacturer

A Mexican subsidiary of an international motor company was utilizing multiple and heavily customized legacy systems which were around 20 years old and did not improve the business. The financial reports generated caused many discrepancies in the business which dampened business decisions.

The management was looking for an integrated system that was consistent and easily manageable, in which all users from different departments could manage business processes in a co-dependent and competent manner.

Annata’s solution gave the Mexican subsidiary a standardised digital platform, replacing the 20-year-old legacy systems and connecting workflows across departments.

The new system enabled the company’s dealerships to communicate and collaborate directly with suppliers and service partners, while the company focused on creating an integrated supply chain.

With Annata’s unified solution, the company benefited from providing accurate, analytical data through the implementation of key functions in cost management, inventory management, warranty management, sales, and service departments. It also provided the company with a range of business data (in real-time) for analysis at a reduced time rate and this provided the organization with major improvements in its management reporting.

How Hessel Trucks went from a blank paper to a blueprint for the future

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