Watch the video below to hear the story firsthand.
LPA Lays the Groundwork for a Data-Driven Future with Dynamics 365 and aec360
From legacy ERP to a unified, future-ready platform, LPA leverages Dynamics 365 and aec360 to connect their teams, harness data, and power informed design.
Building high-performance design on a high-performance platform
LPA is an integrated, multidisciplinary design firm with a mission to lead the industry in reducing carbon emissions across every project – regardless of size, scale, or budget. With a deep commitment to informed design and sustainability, the firm knew its legacy ERP system was holding them back from realizing the full potential of their evolving business.
“Our legacy tools were built for a firm we no longer were,” said Charles Williams, Principal and Managing Director at LPA. “They didn’t support the way we work today and they certainly didn’t align with where we’re going.”
To future-proof the business and fuel its transformation into a fully integrated, data-centric firm, LPA partnered with Microsoft and HSO to implement Dynamics 365 and aec360.
From modernization to transformation
LPA didn’t just want to modernize its ERP system. The firm used this opportunity to rethink how technology could better reflect how the business operates, from how projects are planned and staffed to how performance is tracked and improved.
Today, more than 80% of projects at LPA are planned in detail, with project planning, staffing, and revenue forecasting all working in concert in a single system.
“Planning is no longer a back-office function. It’s a cultural imperative. It’s now woven into our informed design process and directly influences how we deliver value to our clients.”
Unlocking better insight and better outcomes
With Dynamics 365 (Finance and Operations, Sales and Human Resources), aec360, and Power BI, LPA now has the tools to visualize and act on data across its operations. The firm is seeing benefits beyond efficiency:
- Greater visibility into project and business performance
- Earlier detection of issues and misalignment
- Stronger alignment across disciplines and offices
- More consistent planning and forecasting practices
- A data culture that supports design storytelling and carbon reduction goals
The new system is also helping LPA unify its information and processes across functions, creating consistency that was hard to achieve when project data, staffing models, and forecasting tools lived in separate systems.
A collaborative partnership shaping the future
As part of an ongoing collaboration between HSO, Microsoft, and leading AEC firms, LPA contributes insights that inform how the platform evolves to meet real-world challenges in architecture and engineering.
“We see our feedback reflected in the product,” said Charles. “We know we’re being heard, and that gives us confidence the platform will continue to grow with us.”
Through regular conversations, shared priorities, and a focus on industry needs, LPA and peer firms help shape new capabilities that make Dynamics 365 and aec360 even more relevant, intuitive, and impactful for the AEC space. It’s a partnership built on mutual investment—and a shared commitment to building better business operations across the industry.
“We needed a partner that understood where the industry is going, not just where it’s been. HSO helped us align our tools with our vision.”
In conclusion
By aligning their technology with the way they work, and where they’re headed, LPA is building more than projects. They’re building a smarter, more connected business. With Dynamics 365 and aec360, the firm has the foundation to turn data into action, unify operations, and lead the industry with sustainable, informed design.
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