We’re excited to launch a new monthly series here in the Advania Community: Community Spotlight.
Each month, we’ll be featuring one of our members sharing their experiences, insights, and stories, and celebrating those who make the Community valuable.
For our very first spotlight, we’re thrilled to introduce @AJT Systems & Data Manager at Nuby UK. Anthony has been leading transformative projects, from implementing Business Central to developing innovative, system-oriented solutions that improve efficiency and support the wider business.
Anthony generously joined us for a quick Q&A to share more about his work, what inspires him, and his advice for others. Read on to get to know him better ⬇️
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1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your role.
My name is Anthony, I’ve worked at Nuby for nearly 10 years, covering various roles in my time there. I was originally hired as maternity cover for the New Product Development (NPD) team, but enjoyed it so I stayed around for a bit longer! I loved product development but my background was in IT, so I naturally gravitated towards our business system project and general IT duties, which is my role today as the systems and data manager. Anything “computery” or even tangentially related to technology tends to fall my way, but my core role is to manage our Business Central platform and related integrations.
2. What’s your favourite part of your work?
The constant opportunity to learn and improve our systems. There’s always a new update, feature, or extension that can improve the way the business operates. I try to keep an ear to the ground about changing business requirements and how I can support new processes or setups to make sure we can meet them. I enjoy trying to translate business challenges into “system oriented” solutions, especially when it saves time and energy for everyone.
3. How does Advania support your goals?
We’ve relied on Advania for consultancy over the years (shoutout to Pete Sturgeon who is a regular on site) to get a better grip of Business Central’s processes and sometimes unique ways of handling things. We’ve also relied on the helpdesk team, who have helped us solve countless problems, sometimes ones we have caused ourselves…
4. Can you share a project or achievement you’re proud of?
One of my biggest achievements at Nuby was as the product manager of RapidCool, which is now our biggest selling product. This project took years to launch but once it did, it shifted the market to a completely different method of formula feed preparation. We were confident it would sell, but it vastly exceeded everyone’s expectations. It took many hours in the kitchen testing samples, many hours spent discussing the technical/safety aspects, many hours reviewing test procedures for a product that hadn’t existed before, and many hours of going crazy trying to get the product to a retail ready stage. To say it was worth it would be an understatement as it was easily the highlight of my product management career!
A very close second would be migrating our ERP and integrations to Business Central. I’d joined the project late and getting to go-live felt like a monumental challenge, but to look back from where we were to where we are today, it is very satisfying.
5. What’s one tip or insight you’d share with other community members?
It’s probably obvious to existing and experienced members, but don’t try and force legacy (and possibly inefficient or incorrect) processes from an old system into Business Central. There’s probably a better way to do it with out of box functionality, or an existing extension / common development that will save you time and frustration. Also, learn configuration packages and their dependencies early.
6. When you’re not working, what do you love to do?
I love to play golf so I’d like to thank the weather for complying this year. I’m a PC gamer (CS2 & Baldurs Gate 3 if anyone is interested). I’ve also got a mad spaniel called Rufus, who gets me walking around national trusts or the nearby coast.
7. Quickfire fun:
Favourite tech tool or app right now? Copilot now that it’s maturing
Go-to productivity hack? Headphones and a heavy bassline
First job you ever had? Network technician
A big thank you to Anthony for being our first spotlight guest 👏
Each month we’ll be highlighting members who are actively contributing, whether that’s sharing updates, publishing articles, or sparking valuable conversations.
So, if you’d like to be in the spotlight one day, the best way is simple: get involved, share your insights, and engage with others here in the Community 🚀