Cape Weligama, Wild Coast Lodge, Ceylon Tea Trails

FinanSys SunSystems Cloud Case Study

FinanSys Helps Luxury Resorts in Sri Lanka to Improve Financial Operations with SunSystems Cloud

Background

In the luxury hospitality sector, flexibility and efficiency in financial operations are essential. Resplendent Ceylon’s resorts were no exception.

The organisation began experiencing issues with the financial management system they were using, largely because it was an on-premise system. This affected the three resorts’ smooth financial operations.

The finance and accounting team was forced to use manual workarounds to compensate for the system’s shortcomings. This was not only time-consuming, but it also introduced an unacceptable margin of inefficiency and error for a resort of their calibre.

As a growing and forward-thinking organisation, there was a need for the resorts to transition from an on-premise environment to a more scalable and flexible cloud-based solution.

Speaking about the issue, Resplendent Ceylon’s Finance Manager, Janaka Lama Hewa said:

We were having a lot of problems with our previous system. There were a lot of technical issues, and it was making it difficult for us to manage our finances effectively. For example, the balance on the trial balance often did not match the ledger balance, which required users to verify the data manually.

The manual, time-consuming, and error-prone process disrupted the resort’s workflow and strained the finance team’s resources. Generating reports required laborious cross-checking and manual verification, delaying processes that should have been quick and accurate.

As a result of these challenges, finance team leads across the organisation’s five properties began looking for a new system that could address these issues and provide a more seamless experience.

Finding the Perfect Solution

Resplendent Ceylon needed a financial management system that could meet the specific needs of the hospitality industry, especially in the South Asian region where the organisation is located.

A key criterion for this system was seamless integration with existing tools like Excel, to ensure a smooth transition and efficient workflow for the finance team.

After an extensive search and discussions with various companies, Resplendent Ceylon found their ideal solution in SunSystems Cloud from FinanSys.

What set FinanSys apart was our unparalleled customer-centric approach, deep industry knowledge, and proven implementation methodologies from 25+ years of business technology experience.

Choosing FinanSys as their one-stop shop for SunSystems core software, services, implementation, support, and enhancements was a strategic decision for Resplendent resorts and its 20+ users of the system.

The combination of FinanSys’ hospitality sector experience and comprehensive offerings made us the perfect fit for the prestigious hotel’s financial management needs.

SunSystems Cloud from FinanSys Made the Difference

The decision to implement SunSystems Cloud as the new financial management system at Resplendent proved to be a game-changer. With the expertise and guidance provided by FinanSys, the resort experienced a significant transformation in their financial operations.

From reporting to automation, the system enabled the finance team to streamline all financial processes and gain unprecedented control over their data.

The resort now enjoys greater reporting accuracy, better visibility of critical information, and an overall enhanced decision-making process. Additionally, reports are now easier to generate.

We can now create our own reports or use the pre-defined reports that come with the system. This has been very useful for me as I'm responsible for looking after all our five properties financial systems and the finance team leads report to me. I can easily generate the reports I need without having to ask for information from anyone. This has saved me a lot of time and has made my job much easier, Said Janaka

The successful implementation of SunSystems Cloud has also enabled Resplendent resorts to drive efficiencies in their financial operations, saving significant time on processes like month-end reporting:

We were able to save around 50% of the time it takes to complete our month-end closing. Previously, it took us until the 8th or 9th of the following month, but now we are able to finish within 3 to 4 working days, continued Janaka

This project has also allowed Resplendent to automate their manual processes. This in turn, has helped the finance team to reduce the time spent on mundane tasks, free up resources for more value-added activities, and reduce human errors.

In Janaka’s words:

FinanSys covered 100% of our requirements, and they were able to come up with solutions for all the issues we had. For example, we wanted to automate our bank reconciliation process, and FinanSys was able to develop a solution for us. This was something that we had been looking for [for a long time], and our previous vendor was unable to provide it. We are very happy with the results of the implementation.

All-round ROI from a Trusted Solutions Provider

Resplendent resorts began reaping the benefits right from the get-go and throughout all stages of the project:

Pre-implementation:  FinanSys quickly dived into action, taking the time to fully understand the resorts’ unique requirements. This resulted in a tailored solution that met the resort’s specific needs and laid the foundation for a successful implementation.
Implementation process:  The implementation process was smooth and efficient. The project was completed on time and within budget, thanks to FinanSys’ experienced project managers and knowledgeable consultants. FinanSys’ expertise ensured that every aspect of the new system was seamlessly integrated into the ressorts’ existing operations.
Post-go-live:  FinanSys continued to provide invaluable support, offering guidance and assistance whenever needed. The reliable and responsive nature of FinanSys’ customer service helped the resort navigate any post-implementation challenges with ease.

We’re very impressed with the implementation process and the post-implementation support. The FinanSys team is always available to answer our questions and provide support. We've had some questions that have come up since the implementation, and they've been very responsive in resolving them. I'm confident that we can rely on FinanSys for support in the future. - Janaka, Finance Manager at Cape Weligama

The Overall Experience with FinanSys 

Janaka had this to say when asked about their experience with FinanSys:

FinanSys did such a great job that ever since the implementation, we have started recommending FinanSys to other businesses. They were able to understand our needs and implement SunSystems in a way that met our requirements. We are very happy with the results of the implementation and would not hesitate to work with FinanSys again.

About SunSystems Cloud

SunSystems Cloud is a powerful and secure SaaS solution designed to help organisations of all sizes manage their financial operations and access data more efficiently. With its innovative multi-tenant cloud platform, SunSystems Cloud comes with features and modules that can helps organisations unlock the potential of their financial data and deliver more accurate reporting, better visibility, and streamlined processes.

Why FinanSys Stands Out

Award-winning Infor Gold Channel Partner
25+ years of experience implementing SunSystems
An agile and personal approach to customer service
200+ implementations of SunSystems in 36 countries
Dedicated SunSystems training courses for you and your finance team
Highest ratio of support staff to customers within the SunSystems community
A global company with localised support

Award-winning Infor Gold Channel Partner
25+ years of experience implementing SunSystems
An agile and personal approach to customer service
200+ implementations of SunSystems in 36 countries
Dedicated SunSystems training courses for you and your finance team
Highest ratio of support staff to customers within the SunSystems community
A global company with localised support

IMPORTANT: When you subscribe to SunSystems Cloud through FinanSys, you will also get access to  UniFi on a 1:1 license basis at no additional cost. UniFi is a powerful platform that provides multiple enhancements for SunSystems Cloud.

SunSystems Awards and Recognitions

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Profile

Cape Weligama, Wild Coast Lodge and Ceylon Tea Trails are located in Sri Lanka and operated by Resplendent Ceylon, which is part of the renowned Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company. Dilmah was established in 1985 by its founder, Merrill J. Fernando.

Cape Weligama is a stunning oceanfront resort spread across 12 acres of tropical gardens.
Located on Sri Lanka’s south coast and overlooking the Weligama Bay, it offers a village-style layout on an Indian Ocean headland, with luxurious villas attended by dedicated butlers.

The resort boasts beautiful gardens, pools, and a crescent-shaped, 60-meter infinity pool that wraps around the cape. It’s a dream destination for cetacean enthusiasts.

Wild Coast Tented is a spectacular luxury tented camp stunningly located where the jungle meets a pristine beach, overlooking the Indian Ocean. The unique design blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

Wild Coast is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux association of unique hotels and restaurants owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs – most often families – who are passionate about their craft and deeply committed to forging warm, lasting relationships with their guests.

Ceylon Tea Trails is the perfect blend of past and present. Perched at an altitude of 1250 metres, the hotel’s five historic tea-planter bungalows embody natural hospitality: effortlessly relaxed and refined without pretence. Guests are invited to slow down amid fern and flower-fringed landscape where gourmet cuisine, tea adventures, shimmering swimming pools and timeless classic pursuits await, from afternoon tea to tennis and croquet.

Tea Trails is styled with love and has earned the resort Sri Lanka’s first inclusion within Relais & Châteaux.

15% of the organisation’s profit goes to their charitable foundations: MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation.

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Cape Weligama