PONDS extends BE-terna partnership with multi-country Business Central transformation

PONDS Group is expanding BE-terna’s long-standing relationship with MASS, a subsidiary of PONDS, into a multi-country business transformation across the wider group.

The project combines Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and LS Central in one retail solution and initially covers MASS operations in Slovenia, Croatia and Austria, together with the migration of HUMANIC Austria from its existing SAP environment. The first go-live is planned for Q1 2027.

The initiative comes at a significant point in PONDS’ growth. Following the acquisition of Leder & Schuh, operator of HUMANIC and SHOE4YOU, PONDS now brings MASS, HUMANIC and SHOE4YOU together within a group operating more than 280 stores across nine European markets. PONDS plans to continue expanding its European footprint, with around 60 new stores planned over the next five years and a target of €500 million in annual sales by 2029.

A scalable platform for a growing retail group

The transformation is designed to support a larger, more international organisation without creating another ERP monolith.

The new platform will establish a common foundation for core business and retail processes while connecting with the wider technology landscape through a scalable integration architecture. The project follows a standard-first approach, with a clearly controlled MVP helping the teams focus on business-critical functionality within an ambitious implementation timeline.

LS Central forms part of the combined retail solution, with specialist LS Central expertise included in the wider project team.

From a long-standing MASS partnership to a group-wide transformation

BE-terna’s relationship with the business began with MASS, which has worked with BE-terna since the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV in 2018. The new project extends that collaboration to the wider PONDS Group.

When selecting the partner for the new transformation, PONDS also considered other implementation providers. According to Gašper Capuder, Head of IT Operations at PONDS Group, BE-terna’s existing knowledge of the organisation was particularly valuable given the speed required for the programme.

“BE-terna has known our business for around ten years. With the ambitious timeline we have, that existing knowledge allows us to move faster and get to the substance of the project sooner.”

Gašper Capuder
Head of IT Operations, PONDS Group

The new project builds on technology already in use at MASS, including Microsoft Dynamics NAV and ALISA AI. It also supports a wider direction for PONDS, in which retail, logistics, data and technology are becoming increasingly connected as the group grows. Capuder sees this shift towards a more technology-driven retail organisation as an important part of PONDS’ future development.