• Customer Case
  • KCI Modernizes Project Delivery and Business Planning with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and aec360

KCI Modernizes Project Delivery and Business Planning with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and aec360

AEC-specific solution brings new levels of visibility, efficiency, and collaboration to one of the nation's fastest-growing engineering firms

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About KCI

KCI Technologies Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering, consulting, and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. Operating out of offices in more than 20 states, KCI offers environmental, transportation, telecommunications, infrastructure, and facilities solutions to a wide range of federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as private and institutional clients.

See KCI’s Transformation in Action

Watch how KCI Technologies is leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365 and aec360 to unify teams, streamline operations, and set the stage for long-term growth.

Why KCI Needed a Change

KCI had outgrown its legacy ERP system. After two decades on a solution that lacked scalability and integration, the firm was feeling the strain across every department. Project managers were forced to rely on spreadsheets and offline tools. Finance teams had to manually reconcile data each month. Marketing couldn’t easily access accurate opportunity or client information. And leadership had limited visibility into real-time performance.

As the company continued to scale rapidly, managing thousands of opportunities and tens of thousands of active projects, it became clear that the systems in place were holding KCI back. Leadership recognized that enabling the next phase of growth required more than a system upgrade. It required a modern platform that could unify teams, unlock insights, and support a full business transformation.

The Path Forward

After a thorough evaluation of ERP solutions, KCI selected Microsoft Dynamics 365 and aec360 - a solution purpose-built for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The Microsoft platform offered familiarity, flexibility, and integration that the team needed. And aec360 provided project-centric functionality aligned to how AEC firms operate.

HSO, the global partner behind aec360, brought deep industry knowledge and a collaborative approach to implementation. Their team helped KCI identify key requirements, apply best practices from similar firms, and build a future-ready solution that could scale with their growth.

"This wasn't just an ERP change—it was a full business transformation. We’ve built a stronger foundation for growth, visibility, and client service that will support us for years to come."

Bayne Smith South Regional Executive, KCI

Key Benefits

Here’s how aec360 and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are helping KCI operate smarter, faster, and more collaboratively—firm-wide.
  • 1

    Project Management Reimagined

    Project managers can now set up and manage projects directly in the system. Resource loading, budgeting, and forecasting are all done in one place, eliminating disconnected tools and duplicate data entry.

  • 2

    A True 360º View of the Business

    By replacing fragmented systems, KCI now operates with a unified platform that connects CRM, financials, and project management - enabling faster decisions and cross-functional alignment.

  • 3

    Improved Collaboration Across Departments

    Teams across marketing, operations, and finance work from the same source of truth. This has eliminated redundant processes and improved communication and efficiency.

  • 4

    Real-Time Reporting with Power BI

    The integration with Microsoft Power BI allows leadership and project teams to access live dashboards and reporting—moving from static reports to real-time insights.

  • 5

    Built-In Scalability and Future Readiness

    With native integration into the Microsoft ecosystem and a roadmap that includes AI and Copilot capabilities, the platform positions KCI for long-term growth and innovation.

Why HSO?

HSO didn’t just bring technical knowledge - they brought industry alignment, best practices, and a clear understanding of how AEC firms operate. From early planning through go-live, HSO operated as an extension of the internal team, helping KCI avoid common pitfalls and accelerate adoption.

HSO’s deep AEC knowledge and collaborative approach empowered KCI to lead its transformation.

"We needed a partner who understood how AEC firms work. HSO brought industry insight, best practices, and the ability to help us design a system that actually fits how we manage projects."

Chris Griffith CEO & President, KCI

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