What originated in a flat on West Waveland, in Chicago, has now turned into a Microsoft Gold Certified Dynamics GP, Dynamics SL, Dynamics 365/CRM Partner, and Microsoft Inner Circle member. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Crestwood Associates is an award-winning ERP and CRM Partner. Committed to stand firm against the unrealistic, and guide its clients through the many variables associated with deploying business applications, Crestwood has brought full-featured ERP and CRM software to the mid-market. Since its formation, the firm has strived for a thoughtful, collaborative relationship with its clients, while applying its knowledge to optimize business processes, subsequently enabling its clients to be more self-sufficient by making complex processes simpler.
Crestwood is a 10-time Presidents Club Award Winner and Inner Circle recipient that delivers a variety of modern ERP and CRM solutions, including Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft Dynamics CRM (now Dynamics 365), Acumatica Cloud ERP, and Greentree. With a large, experienced consulting team spread across 13 states and 6 offices, it prides itself on offering cutting-edge solutions, delivered through thoughtful relationships.
Founders who saw an Opportunity and Built a Leading ERP Solution Provider
The founders, Brian McGuckin and Tim Thompson had worked together at a Big Five accounting firm and wanted to break out from their careers to own their own business and offer full-featured solutions for small- to mid-market companies. They began with what was then Great Plains Software, which eventually became Microsoft Business Solutions before morphing into Microsoft Dynamics GP. For most of its run, Crestwood has stayed energized through its people and clients and has educated and empowered its clients so they can grow their businesses, thanks to the inspiring leadership of Brian and Tim.
A Mantra of “Who owns this”
In its very beginning, Crestwood learned that it is important for its team members to understand the “why” behind everything they do. Teaching its team to focus on the why, has allowed them to question the status quo and continuously added value to the projects they undertake. In addition, everyone needs to take ownership of their actions and work in partnership with clients. By the same token, every employee at Crestwood constantly asks themselves, “Who owns this?” It becomes a mantra of sorts and allows them to have skin in the game, ensuring mutual success. “We’ve worked hard to add folks to our team that embrace this culture of ownership, and that makes all the difference,” Brian asserts.
Providing the Best to the Clients
At Crestwood, the team believes choice rules the market now. Modern ERP solutions offer a host of features, purchasing models, and deployment options. Clients no longer have to buy features they won’t use, and they don’t have to incur the expense all at once. In addition, they can leverage their own people to deploy some pieces of the system using templates and wizards. It’s all about options, and what is best for the client. And that’s what Crestwood intends to provide, the best!
Winning the Customers with Consistent, Highly Experienced Style
The partners never compare themselves with the other ERP providers. At least, not in the conventional terms. “We know that we are one of many options that a firm can choose. The way we win is with a consistent, highly experienced style, no gimmicks, and by staying true to our mission of being a thoughtful partner focused on making the complex simple,” Brian explains.
Standing behind the best in Microsoft technology is Crestwood’s seasoned team of highly certified professionals with outstanding business experience. The Crestwood implementation team consists of Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL, Dynamics CRM Certified consultants, Microsoft Certified System Engineers, and Microsoft Certified Database Administrators, CPAs and MBAs. Each consultant has an average of over 8 years of Microsoft Dynamics experience, with many bringing 15+ years. Among the technology services offered by Crestwood are Implementation, Customization, Application Development, Network Services, Hosting Services, and End- User Training.
Future of New Products and Continual Expansion
Tim Thompson’s advice to young entrepreneurs is to not get into the midmarket ERP space unless they are ready to make an impact and see this as a long term career. Short timers will fade away faster than one can imagine. He further believes that this is the space for true entrepreneurs; those who like the challenge of a constantly evolving landscape.
“As Crestwood nears its 20th year in business, we are still growing. We have been fortunate to be recognized on the Inc.5000 twice now, and can boast a host of other awards that reinforce our commitment to the mission we live and breathe every day – make the complex simple,” Tim says.
Heading towards the future, Crestwood aims for new add-on products and expansion of its geographic footprint, along with industry-specific solutions for distribution and manufacturing. As always, clients will see continued commitment to their best interests as the mid-market continues to evolve and change.
