Transforming Logistics Operations: How Midwest Terminals Modernized Its Business With NetSuite + Cirrus ERP

Midwest Terminals (MWT), a leader in commodity handling, transloading, and facility management, operates in one of the most demanding segments of the logistics industry. With customer-owned inventory, complex shipping workflows, and multi-site operations, accuracy and efficiency are non-negotiable. Yet before 2025, the company was operating through a patchwork of disconnected systems that slowed processes and obscured the real-time insights leaders needed to run the business. 

MWT selected NetSuite as the backbone of its digital transformation and partnered with Cirrus ERP to translate the company’s operational realities into a cohesive, scalable cloud solution.  

This modernization journey not only reshaped internal processes but also positioned MWT for sustained growth and improved customer service. 

 

From Disconnected Systems to a Unified Platform 

Before implementation, Midwest Terminals faced a familiar set of challenges for logistics organizations operating at scale: 

  • Operations and finance were divided across multiple systems 

  • Key logistics transactions required manual processes 

  • Reporting was difficult, slow, and inconsistent 

  • Customer-owned inventory required greater precision and auditability 

  • Standard ERP functionality couldn’t support specialized workflows 

To solve these issues, MWT needed more than a technology upgrade—it needed a partner who understood the nuances of logistics and could align the system with real-world operations. 

Cirrus ERP brought both the technical expertise and operational perspective required to make NetSuite work for the business, ensuring the platform supported MWT’s daily workload while setting the stage for future optimization. 

 

Designing a System That Mirrors Real Operations 

Cirrus ERP worked closely with MWT to build a solution that reflected how inventory, shipments, and logistics activities actually move through the organization. 

Reimagined Inventory Structures 

Cirrus implemented custom item configurations for customer-owned inventory and a hybrid lot/serial model. This allowed MWT to track items accurately while maintaining the flexibility needed for high-volume storage and movement. 

Automated Logistics Transactions 

To reduce manual work and improve speed: 

  • Railcar and vessel shipments now trigger automated receipt and shipment actions 

  • Truck scale readings automatically calculate inbound and outbound quantities 

  • Logistics staff interact with streamlined, mobile-friendly screens to pick, stage, and ship items 

These enhancements removed bottlenecks and increased throughput—two essential gains in a business where timing and accuracy determine customer satisfaction. 

Unified Reporting and Visibility 

Integrations with Azure Data Warehouse and Power BI allowed MWT to consolidate data across locations and generate richer, more actionable reporting. Leadership now has access to real-time financials and operational metrics within a single source of truth. 

 

A Phased Implementation With Long-Term Impact 

The initial NetSuite rollout was completed in eight months, followed by a five-month Phase 2 focused on logistics enhancements. While the project required careful change management and additional support at go-live, both teams aligned closely to ensure a stable transition. 

Once live, Midwest Terminals began realizing immediate improvements: 

  • More accurate inventory controls 

  • Streamlined logistics operations 

  • Reduced manual entry and operational delays 

  • Consolidated financial reporting 

  • Faster and more reliable customer reporting 

 

Positioned for Continued Growth 

With the core system now stabilized and optimized, Midwest Terminals is moving confidently into its next phase of operational excellence. Planned initiatives include: 

  • Enhanced management and customer-facing reporting 

  • A customer portal for greater transparency 

  • Implementation of NetSuite Planning & Budgeting (NSPB) 

  • Continued refinement of logistics workflows 

Each step builds on the foundation established—a modern, unified system designed for accuracy, efficiency, and scale. 

 

Midwest Terminals’ transformation demonstrates what’s possible when the right technology meets the right partnership. By combining NetSuite’s unified cloud platform with Cirrus ERP’s deep logistics expertise, MWT replaced fragmented processes with a streamlined, automated, and insight-rich system. The result is a more resilient operation, improved customer service, and a platform that will support innovation for years to come. 

For logistics organizations looking to modernize complex operations, MWT’s journey illustrates a clear path forward: choose a system that brings everything together, and choose a partner who knows how to turn complexity into clarity. 

 

Ready to modernize your logistics operations? 

Cirrus ERP helps organizations unify systems, automate workflows, and build scalable processes with NetSuite. Whether you’re considering your first ERP or optimizing an existing environment, our team brings the expertise, industry insight, and hands-on support needed to deliver measurable impact. 

Contact us to discuss how we can support your transformation. 

Holly Owens