How Willy Naessens Swimming Pools unified
operations with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and NP Retail
Willy Naessens Swimming Pools isn’t just about building pools; they provide a complete lifestyle. As a Belgian company with over 60 years of business tradition, it has grown into a dominant force in the market. The company manages a diverse business model that spans high-end private pool construction, complex public sector projects, and a full retail channel that spans both online and physical stores.
Whether a customer is looking for a backyard oasis or professional-grade maintenance supplies, Willy Naessens delivers a seamless “entire package” experience. Managing that complexity, however, required a technology foundation worthy of the challenge.
A strong business tradition of
The project was completed in
The result
A fully integrated IT platform enabling all departments to access the same centralized data in real time.
The challenge: Outdated systems
slowing down operations
For years, Willy Naessens Swimming Pools has operated on a legacy system that had been in place for over two decades. While the company grew and diversified, its IT infrastructure didn’t manage to keep the pace. For example, the cash register system in the retail stores was particularly problematic. It was so complex and unintuitive that only experienced staff could handle customer transactions without friction. New employees faced a steep learning curve, and the risk of errors during busy periods was high.
Beyond the shop floor, the company lacked a unified view across its operations. Stock management, sales, purchasing, finance, and project execution each lived in their own corners. There was no single source of truth, no shared data across departments, and no reliable insight into inventory or customer history. The result was a business running on instinct, whereas it should have been running on information.
The solution: A fully integrated Microsoft
ecosystem, implemented by Alistar
To modernize the entire IT infrastructure, Willy Naessens Swimming Pools partnered with Alistar, a trusted Microsoft partner, to drive its digital transformation. The initiative began with a detailed assessment of the company’s IT environment and operational processes. This step was crucial to ensure that the new system would not only replace outdated software, but also align with the company’s structure, workflows, and future ambitions.
Based on this groundwork, Alistar implemented a fully integrated platform within the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales was introduced to structure and strengthen customer relationship management, providing clearer visibility into sales activities and pipelines. At the same time, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central became the company’s central ERP system, bringing purchasing, sales, inventory management, finance, and project operations into one connected environment. In the retail segment, NaviPartner’s NP Retail was implemented to replace the outdated cash register system, delivering a modern point-of-sale solution that simplifies store operations and improves the overall customer experience.
”Alistar implemented Dynamics 365, including both Dynamics 365 for Sales and the ERP system Business Central, along with associated add-ons such as Dynavision and the retail POS solution, NP Retail. The advantage of these solutions lies in their seamless integration within the Microsoft ecosystem, which enabled us to optimize all processes efficiently.
Jeroen De Vuyst, Account Manager, Alistar
The entire IT platform was delivered within an ambitious three-month timeframe, thanks to close collaboration, efficient coordination, and the strong commitment of both the Willy Naessens team and Alistar.
The results: Building a scalable foundation for the next 60 years
The shift was not without its challenges. Replacing software that had been embedded in daily operations for twenty years is never a simple task, and both sides acknowledged that the go-live period required significant effort and adjustment. But the outcomes made it worthwhile.
In the stores, NP Retail transformed the checkout experience. The new touchscreen interface is intuitive enough for any employee to use from day one and is no longer reserved only for experienced experts. Serving customers became faster, smoother, and less prone to error.
”All in all, the collaboration went very well. It gave us a comprehensive overview of all our processes and provided our employees with greater peace of mind, as well as improved overall insight.
Bavo Nachtergaele, CEO, Willy Naessens Swimming Pools
Across the organization, the unified platform gave every department access to the same data. Stock visibility improved dramatically. Customer insight became actionable rather than anecdotal. Teams that had previously operated in silos were now working within a shared system and with a common understanding of what was happening across the business.
The transition also brought something less tangible but equally valuable: peace of mind. Employees gained clarity in their day-to-day work. Management gained the overview needed to make informed decisions. The customers, those who matter the most, experienced a noticeably better level of service.
Perhaps most importantly, the solution was built to scale. As Willy Naessens Swimming Pools continues to grow, and the platform Alistar put in place is designed to grow alongside it.
Video case study: The signature
in swimming pools for 60 years!
Additional note: This video was produced by our partner Alistar and is shared with permission. All rights reserved by Alistar.
About our partner Alistar
Alistar is a Belgium-based full-service technology partner that streamlines business operations and accelerates growth with bespoke digital solutions. With profound expertise in Microsoft technologies, Alistar supports companies across industries in optimizing processes, integrating systems, and building scalable digital foundations tailored to their specific business needs.
Alistar is NaviPartner’s long-standing partner, distributing our cloud-based retail solutions built on the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central platform in the Benelux market.
You can also read the full case study with Willy Naessens Swimming Pools on the official website of our partner Alistar.
Jonas Myhlius
Sales Director – Retail
[email protected]
Vanja Blagojevic
Head of International Sales
[email protected]
Peter Johansen
Sales Director – Attractions
[email protected]
Stefanija Vincic
Business Development Representative
[email protected]
Sara Atanaskovic
Business Development Representative
[email protected]
Darijan Stankovic
Business Development Representative
[email protected]
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