WYOMING LIQUOR DIVISION
After a thorough review , the contract was awarded to Accenture , which is currently overseeing the installation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 throughout the organization . Expected to launch in the summer of 2023 , the new Liquor 365 and Liquor 365 Online will replace the current ERP and online ordering system .
The new system will help ensure a faster and more seamless ordering process with advanced reporting capabilities for system users .
“ This is a platform that is already used across many other control states , and will result in an incredibly robust system across our division ,” Montoya says . “ Everything will be much more efficient and user friendly . Order entry will be much faster , which is the biggest plus , as it won ’ t take people nearly as much time as it does now to submit an order . We will also have access to better reporting systems than we have ever had before .”
“ There shouldn ’ t be a lot of customer support needed when the new system launches ,” adds Brenda Henson , Director of the Department of Revenue . “ People should be able to easily access their information . Everything will be user friendly and shouldn ’ t require training or the need to watch a video to figure out what you need to do . It will be very intuitive .”
Prior to the ERP ’ s launch , the division will conduct a physical warehouse inventory to ensure accuracy . The sophisticated new ERP will eliminate several manual processes , and improve overall efficiencies — two things that are highly needed at the division , particularly while being understaffed .
Additionally , new state-of-the-art warehouse equipment will be in place by next year , to take full advantage of the ERP ’ s functionalities . This includes the addition of 28 Zebra handheld devices , four Zebra tablets to be mounted on forklifts and six Zebra printers . The division will also add a new Toyota forklift and three Toyota tow tractors .
To complement the division ’ s substantial investment in a new ERP , Wyoming will also bring in a consultant from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association ( NABCA ) in January 2023 to conduct an analysis of systems and processes , identifying additional areas of improvement .
“ This will give us a fresh perspective based on what other control states are doing , and will help us set a roadmap to guide our work for the next ten years or more ,” Henson says .
The division is extremely focused on transparency throughout the ERP process . It is updating internal and external stakeholders on the latest information and progress through monthly town halls ( offered both in-person and virtually ), the first of which yielded 50 attendees . Other communication channels include a monthly licensee newsletter and monthly update posted to the Department of Revenue website .
The division is also committed to making sure all retailers are
Top : Kendra Reitsma , Project Manager / Enterprise Technology Services , and Tom Montoya , Administrator . Bottom : Montoya , and Brenda Henson , Director .
informed about and comfortable with the new system before it launches , and that the governor and state legislature are also kept apprised of ongoing developments .
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE In addition to focusing on the ERP , the division is examining other ways in which it can continue to evolve and provide better service to the state of Wyoming .
The beverage alcohol industry is constantly changing . In addition to coping with the pandemic and identifying opportunities for innovation , control states must also stay on top of emerging trends and product selection . These changes result in even more need for expanded communication with suppliers , retailers and other core partners .
“ We will need to continue working and thinking outside the box , because you never know what the next issue is going to be and what the next new trend is ,” Henson says .
14 StateWays | www . stateways . com | Winter 2022