Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota

What Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota does

Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota (BASM) is a Microsoft Value-Added Reseller (VAR) and implementation partner for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP platforms, headquartered at 300 Coon Rapids Boulevard NW, Suite 100, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1985 by Ron Ketterling originally as a hardware and network-support firm, the company has evolved into an ERP consulting and software-resale business serving small and mid-sized manufacturers, distributors, and companies in the highly regulated firearms and explosives industries. BASM operates with approximately twelve employees, including multiple Ketterling family members in operations, business development, and project management roles, and is recognized as a certified Microsoft Partner.

The firm's technology stack is anchored on Microsoft's Dynamics ERP platforms, which BASM customizes, implements, and supports, complemented by proprietary and ISV-integrated solutions. Its flagship proprietary product is Easy Bound Book, an ATF-compliant bound-book software built to integrate directly with Dynamics NAV and Business Central, automating acquisition and disposition records, Federal Excise Tax collection, and ATF reporting for firearms manufacturers, distributors, importers, dealers, and explosives companies. Additional offerings include a Custom Quote Module for Indelco Plastics, a Custom Pricing Grid, NAVCash and NAVInvest modules for the Saint Paul Port Authority, Power BI dashboarding, Jet Reports and SQL Server Reporting Services for BI, Mobile Warehouse Data Collection integrations from Lanham/DMSi/Insight Works, Zetadocs document management, ChargeLogic shipping, Continia digital payables, and EDI support. The firm's trademarked "Realistic Solutions" methodology emphasizes customized software fitting client processes rather than the converse, with a RapidStart Training approach that uses each client's actual data and records sessions for reuse.

BASM generates revenue across six streams: ERP implementation services, software customization and development, training services, Microsoft Dynamics license resale as a VAR, Easy Bound Book licensing, and recurring managed-services support contracts. The go-to-market is consultative and relationship-driven, with direct sales led by an internal business-development function and supported by free-consultation offers, white papers, case studies, webinars, and industry-conference speaking engagements. Pricing is quote-based, not publicly disclosed, and varies by company size, industry complexity, user count, and implementation scope. Named customers span firearms (Atlantic Firearms, Christensen Arms, M+M Inc.), distribution (Indelco Plastics, Premier Lighting), manufacturing (UltiMed, Bernatello's, SPAL, Veloci Performance Products, Global Filter, Choice Products), healthcare/nonprofit (Canvas Health), government/economic development (Saint Paul Port Authority), food and consumer (Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op, Proguard Sports), and geospatial (East View Geospatial).

Name

Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota

Legal name

Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota, Inc.

Website

https://bautomation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 VAR and implementation partner that deploys ERP solutions for small and mid-sized manufacturers, distributors, and firearms/explosives companies, anchored by its proprietary Easy Bound Book ATF-compliance software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ERP Implementation and Customization Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Application Modernization (Monolith-to-Modules, Domain Modernization) (BPAEAFAG)

Keywords

• ERP implementation services
• Microsoft Dynamics partner
• Business process automation
• Manufacturing ERP software
• Firearms compliance software

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. ERP Implementation Services: Core revenue stream from implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and NAV. Includes business process analysis, system design, configuration, data migration, and go-live support.
2. Software Customization and Development: Custom programming and development services to extend Microsoft Dynamics to meet unique client requirements, including custom modules, reports, and integrations.
3. Training Services: Customized training services using client's real data, including recorded training sessions for ongoing reference and new hire onboarding. Both online and recorded formats available.
4. Software Resale: Resale of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and NAV licenses as a Microsoft Partner VAR.
5. Easy Bound Book Software: Proprietary ERP software product for firearms and explosives industries, sold as integrated solution with Microsoft Dynamics.
6. Support and Help Desk: Ongoing software and help desk support services to keep clients operating at peak performance. Includes answering operational questions, reinforcing methodologies, and fixing errors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota (BASM) is a Value Added Reseller and implementation partner for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Microsoft Dynamics NAV, focused on small and mid-sized manufacturers and distributors. The company delivers business process analysis, system configuration, custom development, training, and ongoing support, complemented by its proprietary Easy Bound Book ATF compliance software for firearms and explosives industries.

Product overview

Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota (BASM) offers a portfolio of ERP solutions centered on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Microsoft Dynamics NAV, complemented by proprietary compliance software and professional services. The core platform is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (cloud-based ERP) and Microsoft Dynamics NAV (on-premises ERP), which BASM customizes and extends for manufacturing, distribution, and firearms industries. Easy Bound Book is their proprietary add-on for ATF firearms compliance. Power BI Reporting Solutions and Business Intelligence Dashboards provide analytics capabilities. BASM also offers specialized modules including Custom Quoting, Custom Pricing Grid, NAVInvest, NAVCash, Barcode Scanning, and Mobile Warehouse Data Collection. Implementation & Training, Business Process Analysis and Design, and Software & Help Desk Support comprise their professional services portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Easy Bound Book: A premier ERP software product designed exclusively for the highly regulated firearms and explosives industries, providing automated bound book compliance, ATF reporting, Federal Excise Tax collection, and integrated manufacturing/distribution functionality.

Products and services

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Cloud-based ERP solution that BASM resells, implements, customizes, and supports for small and mid-sized manufacturers and distributors, covering financials, sales, service, and operations.
• Microsoft Dynamics NAV On-premises ERP system that BASM resells and implements for manufacturing and distribution companies, offering inventory control, production orders, financial management, and custom quoting capabilities.
• Easy Bound Book Proprietary ATF-compliant bound book software for firearms manufacturers, distributors, importers, and dealers that automates acquisition and disposition records, Federal Excise Tax collection, and ATF reporting within Microsoft Dynamics.
• Power BI Reporting Solutions Custom Power BI dashboards and reports for Business Central and NAV, covering Finance, Inventory, Purchasing, Sales, Manufacturing, and Projects modules.
• RapidStart Implementation and Training BASM's customized implementation and training methodology that uses the client's actual data during training sessions, with recorded sessions available for future reference and new hire onboarding.
• Business Process Analysis and Design Consulting engagement that identifies automation opportunities, reviews processes, performs needs assessment and risk analysis, and designs the system for business software implementations.
• Software and Help Desk Support Recurring managed support service covering operational questions, methodology reinforcement, error resolution, and personalized training assistance for BASM clients.
• Custom Quoting Module Custom NAV module that ties bill of materials, routing, materials, subcontractors, labor, machine costs, and quantity breaks into automated pricing for manufacturing quotes.
• Custom Pricing Grid Custom NAV solution that handles complex volume- and location-based discount structures for fluid pricing of plastic products and similar catalog goods.
• NAVCash Cash Management Module Custom NAV extension that generates billing for payments and allocates revenue to loan repayment and interest earned within NAV.
• NAVInvest Investment Tracking Module Custom NAV extension that handles Mark to Market monthly investment revaluations and tracks investment activity within NAV.
• Barcode Scanning and Mobile Warehouse Solutions Warehouse and shop floor data collection solutions integrated with Business Central and NAV for inventory tracking, serial and lot tracking, production material consumption, and real-time visibility.
• Custom Business Intelligence and Reporting Dashboards Custom dashboards and reports built with Power BI and SQL Server Reporting Services to deliver real-time business measurements and decision-support analytics for Microsoft Dynamics clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% reduction in audit fees
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationAs a Microsoft Partner, BASM resells and implements Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Microsoft Dynamics NAV. This is their primary technology platform and core of their service offerings. They have been providing Microsoft Dynamics solutions since 2009.
• Mark Barnes (Firearms Attorney)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRon Ketterling partners with Mark Barnes, a leading firearms attorney, to develop proactive plans to streamline compliance and remediation strategies for deficient compliance systems that threaten a company's license.
• Jon Schreibfeder (Effective Inventory Management, Inc.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented webinars on Advanced Inventory Forecasting. Jon Schreibfeder is President of Effective Inventory Management, Inc. and has helped over two thousand firms improve productivity and profitability through better inventory management.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Catapult Systems: Microsoft-focused cloud and Dynamics ERP partner providing implementation, managed services, and support for SMB and enterprise customers. Comparable Microsoft-centric technology stack and partner-VAR business model.
• Velosio: Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Business Central implementation partner serving mid-market and SMB customers across ERP, CRM, and Cloud. Closely aligned with BASM by stack (Microsoft Dynamics), customer size focus (small/mid-market), and delivery model (consultative implementation + custom development).
• JourneyTEAM: Dynamics 365 and Power Platform implementation partner focused on mid-market and SMB clients with a heavy emphasis on manufacturing, distribution, and professional services. Directly comparable GTM motion, technology stack, and target customer profile to BASM.
• Sikich: National professional services firm offering Microsoft Dynamics ERP implementation alongside broader technology, accounting, and advisory services. Overlapping customer profile (small/mid-market manufacturers and distributors) and similar value-added-reseller-plus-services model.
• Boyer & Associates: Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Business Central implementation partner with longstanding manufacturing and distribution vertical expertise. Comparable size, customer segment, and vertical specialization as BASM, including ERP customization and add-on development.
• Western Computer: Microsoft Dynamics Gold Partner specializing in Business Central and NAV for SMB and mid-market customers with industry solutions. Directly comparable implementation partner with multi-vertical expertise and Microsoft-centric delivery.
• Rand Group: Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner with deep focus on manufacturing, distribution, professional services, and energy verticals. Overlapping customer profile and similar custom-development plus support-services model to BASM.
• Tigunia: Microsoft Dynamics partner delivering ERP and CRM implementations for small and mid-market businesses, including manufacturing and distribution customers. Direct overlap in technology stack, target market, and VAR/implementation business model.
• Berkshire Consulting Group: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance implementation partner serving mid-market organizations. Comparable consulting/implementation services, Dynamics-centric offering, and SMB-to-mid-market customer focus.

Broad incumbents

• Oracle NetSuite: Cloud ERP platform competing with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for the same small and mid-market manufacturing/distribution buyers BASM serves. Useful as a category incumbent reference for relative scale, not a direct VAR competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Business Automation Specialists of Minnesota