{"id":26691,"date":"2024-12-10T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=26691"},"modified":"2024-12-10T06:16:13","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T11:16:13","slug":"ground-control-case-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/ground-control-case-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Ground Control speeds its close 55%, frees up $1.2 million in cash flow"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/category\/growth-customers\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Growth &amp; Customers<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGround Control speeds its close 55%, frees up $1.2 million in cash flow\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2024-12-10T09:00:00-05:00\">December 10, 2024<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Ground Control speeds its close 55%, frees up $1.2 million in cash flow\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/ground-control-case-study\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/author\/david-appel\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/David-Appel-headshot-2023-1.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"David headshot\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">David Appel<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Ground Control helps customers connect devices in some of the world&#8217;s remote regions with satellite IoT (Internet of Things), machine-to-machine, and cellular technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ground Control communications solutions are used in agriculture, environmental, mining, forestry, and other applications\u2014even by anti-poaching teams protecting wildlife in Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based in the U.S. and U.K., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.groundcontrol.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ground Control<\/a> has grown steadily since 2002, serving 4,500 customers in 130 countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With growth, the company needed a system that could unify its business, based on a merger of the separate firms Ground Control, Rock Seven, and Wireless Innovations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It turned to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/sage-business-cloud\/intacct\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sage Intacct<\/a> when its previous business solution faced an end-of-life cutoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sage Intacct met Ground Control\u2019s needs for multi-entity financial consolidation and recurring revenue management, with both functionality and affordability that competitors such as Oracle NetSuite and Xero couldn\u2019t match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Sage Intacct consolidation module was better than any of the others that we&#8217;d seen on the market, with the ability to do a proper consolidation that stands up to an audit,&#8221; says Steve Smith, CFO. \u201cIts focus on recurring revenue streams, managing invoicing and renewals, was another key reason why Sage Intacct was the product for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-double-digit-reduction-in-overdue-debt\"><strong>Double-digit reduction in overdue debt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Live in 2020, Sage Intacct is helping Ground Control streamline and scale its business through efficient financial management, improved business visibility, and intuitive ease of use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The company has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduced monthly close time 55%, from 11 days to five<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cut overdue debt from 22% to 8%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opened $1.2 million in operating cash flow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved staff productivity, retention, and job satisfaction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased order-to-cash efficiency via Salesforce integration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur percentage of debt over 60 days old has dropped from a high of about 22% six or seven months ago to about 8% right now,\u201d Smith says. &#8220;That&#8217;s been partly enabled by having all our information in one place with Sage Intacct.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trimming overdue debt has opened $1.2 million in cash flow, a welcome improvement for Ground Control and its private equity backer, Horizon Capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHaving our aged debt and all relevant information in one place with Sage Intacct allows us to chase debt more effectively,&#8221; Smith says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69ddf068cbe61&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69ddf068cbe61\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Image-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Infographic for Ground Control detailing business improvements with Sage Intacct, including increased automation and financial insights, leading to cost savings and reduced churn.\" class=\"wp-image-26695\"\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-delivering-accurate-finance-data-faster\"><strong>Delivering accurate finance data faster<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Streamlined financial consolidations have helped Ground Control close the monthly books in just five days, down from 11 days previously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leadership now has timely and accurate financial reports twice as quickly as in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOne big value we have with Sage Intacct is one source of data truth we can rely on once we close the books, versus always second-guessing yourself,&#8221; says Tina Gantley, group financial controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speed and visibility in order to cash processes have improved markedly with Sage Intacct\u2019s order entry module integrating with a Salesforce CRM application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnce a sales order closes in Salesforce, the data comes into Sage Intacct for invoicing,\u201d Gantley says. \u201cA unique identifier lets you trace through the journey, from the original order down to the cash.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-improved-sales-and-customer-retention\"><strong>Improved sales and customer retention<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional time is being saved thanks to the ease of information access in Sage Intacct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor the first time in my career, my team can intuitively get data out of a finance system for our decision making,&#8221; says Smith. &#8220;Personally, it&#8217;s made my life easier to use a system where it&#8217;s quite obvious what you need to do to get the information you\u2019re looking for.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That intuitive, on-demand data access has proven especially valuable when Smith is asked a question by sales or operational teams that requires a look at data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m expected to have an answer if sales or commercial teams have a question, mostly on customer-facing issues,\u201d says Smith. \u201cUsing Sage Intacct shortens my life to respond by a day\u2014basically \u2018half-lifeing\u2019 the time it takes a team to address a customer issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat has a lot of value to us in improved customer retention and improved sales conversion,\u201d Smith adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-higher-job-satisfaction-and-retention\"><strong>Higher job satisfaction and retention<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith isn\u2019t alone in appreciating the ease of use found in Sage Intacct. The entire finance team has embraced the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is the only time in my career when the finance team isn\u2019t complaining about the finance system constantly,\u201d Smith says. \u201cI don\u2019t hear the moaning that, \u2018I can&#8217;t do my job because the system is rubbish.\u2019 They trust that the data is right and like the way they can work in Sage Intacct.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, Ground Control has improved job satisfaction and retention across the finance team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Efficiencies have opened new time for staff to take on value-adding projects and expand their skill sets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having used Sage Intacct at two previous companies, along with competing applications, Gantley gives the system high marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSage Intacct is one of the best systems I\u2019ve used because of its simplicity \u2014 you don\u2019t get lost in the details like you do with bigger systems,&#8221; Gantley says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-learn-more\">Learn more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ground Control is one of a growing number of SaaS\/software companies to adopt Sage Intacct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sage Intacct is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/sage-intacct-survey-saas-customers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">#1 solution of choice for SaaS companies<\/a> outgrowing QuickBooks or migrating from a legacy system, according to a study by The SaaS CFO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about what Sage Intacct can do for your software and services company <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/industry\/subscription-saas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to our Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get our latest business advice delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-ab515c6e-7e90-4c2f-a67e-113872516e8b\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working from home with tea in hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover how Ground Control use Sage Intacct for multi-entity financial consolidation and recurring revenue management<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1433,"featured_media":20273,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,48],"tags":[195,4,170,280],"business_type":[41],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[450],"persona":[100],"imagine_tag":[471,501],"coauthors":[599],"class_list":["post-26691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth-customers","category-technology-innovation","tag-boss-your-business","tag-business-intelligence","tag-business-strategy","tag-your-story","business_type-growing-business","industry-software-saas"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-us","author_name":"David 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