Rapid ERP Success for Leaf Infusions

Challenge

Rapid Company Growth Requires Rapid ERP Implementation

Family-owned and operated manufacturing company Leaf Infusions was growing fast in the cannabis industry. Their need to scale their technology and processes was becoming urgent. The company's manual, paper-based processes were no longer sustainable. They needed a robust enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that could provide real- time inventory tracking, automate compliance with Health Canada regulations, and integrate quality management, supply chain, and accounting functions into a single platform.

The need was clear—Leaf Infusions had already gone through two unsuccessful software implementations and could no longer afford inefficiencies. Their compliance team struggled with time-consuming regulatory reporting, and their finance team had outgrown QuickBooks. Additionally, their production and supply chain teams lacked visibility into inventory levels, leading to inefficiencies in ordering materials. The company needed a solution that could be implemented fast—within 75 days—to support their expanding business.

Solution

Fast-Tracking ERP Implementation Tailored for Compliance

To meet their aggressive timeline, Leaf Infusions turned to Control+M Solutions, a Gold-Level system integrator in the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork™, to deploy Plex ERP.

Leaf Infusions selected Plex because it offered a single solution that covered everything from production tracking to compliance reporting. Control+M Solutions’ 90 for 90—a full ERP deployment in 90 days for $90,000, was the perfect fit, except Leaf Infusions had an even faster deadline. The team accepted the challenge and completed the implementation in just 73 days.

Control+M Solutions worked closely with Leaf Infusions to tailor Plex ERP to the unique requirements of the cannabis industry. Compliance with Health Canada regulations was a top priority. Plex enabled precise tracking of lot numbers, vendor qualifications, and quality inspections. The system also automated regulatory reporting for both Health Canada’s Cannabis Tracking and Licensing Systems (CTLS) and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax reporting, removing the need for manual data compilation.

By collaborating closely with the Leaf Infusions team, Control+M Solutions provided a smooth transition. The Control+M Solutions team visited the Leaf Infusions' facility, learned their manufacturing processes in depth, and developed custom reports to track controlled substances and tax obligations.

As Braeden Calyniuk, Co-Founder and CEO of Leaf Infusions, says, “What I liked about Control+M Solutions’ approach is that they’re like minded. They understood our goal and said, ‘Let’s get it done.’ They took the time to learn our business. We had multiple meetings prior to kickoff and strategized how we were going to attack the project before it even began.”

Results

Real Time Visibility, Automated Compliance, and Growth

Leaf Infusions successfully implemented a fully functional system in just 73 days, transforming their operations and setting a new standard for ERP deployments. The company gained real-time inventory visibility, improved tracking and management of raw materials and optimized production.

Regulatory compliance, which once took several days every month to manage, are now an automated process. Reports for Health Canada and the CRA can now be generated at the push of a button, saving key personnel six days per month and days of stress.

The transition to Plex also improved user adoption among employees. The system’s intuitive interface made it easy for operators to follow manufacturing processes while meeting compliance requirements. Younger employees embraced the platform quickly, and even initially hesitant users became proficient in a short period of time.

With their ERP foundation in place, Leaf Infusions is now looking ahead to further enhancements, working with Control+M Solutions to evolve Plex to its next phase. Their success story demonstrates that ERP implementations don’t have to be long, painful processes. With the right technology and a dedicated implementation partner, even highly regulated industries can achieve rapid, effective digital transformation.

Patti Nowak, CEO and Founder of Control+M Solutions describes the ultimate purpose of this project: “We get a lot of satisfaction knowing that we have been a small part of a digital transformation for a family-owned company that is making people’s lives better all over Canada.”