Barzel Properties doubles the number of properties managed with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Founded in 2015, Barzel Properties is a Brazilian asset management firm specializing in real estate investments with a focus on the acquisition, development, and management of high-quality developments. Its diversified portfolio includes corporate buildings, logistics warehouses, and retail real estate, with approximately R$7 billion in assets under management. The company stands out for its investment philosophy based on careful selection with a focus on preserving value over time.

Since its foundation, Barzel has been looking for a system that would offer security, transparency, and agility in decision making—essential aspects to maintain confidence in the market. "When we started the company, we knew that we needed a system that would ensure reliability and speed in the delivery of information to our investors. We chose Microsoft because we believe in the security and scalability of solutions," said Nessim Daniel Sarfati, Founder of Barzel Properties with over 30 years of experience.

The challenges of the complex Brazilian tax system

Barzel Properties faced operational challenges while expanding, requiring integration of properties with different tax and accounting structures. The company needed a centralized platform for efficient data governance, as international real estate management systems were not compatible with the Brazilian market.

Automation was essential to replace time-consuming manual processes and ensure compliance with Brazil's complex tax system. To support growth without increasing costs, Barzel Properties adopted a system that centralized information and ensured accurate reporting.

"We needed a platform to centralize everything and ensure reporting accuracy," said Beno Sarfati, IT Director and Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Barzel Properties. It was then that Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central appeared as a viable option.

Adopting Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to create a single solution

To address operational challenges, Barzel Properties partnered with Phoenix Consulting and Microsoft to implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central on Microsoft Azure. This cloud-based ERP system centralized real estate management, ensuring scalability, tax compliance, and operational efficiency. 

The customized Properties Module automated lease agreements, managed finances, and integrated data from multiple CNPJs (Editor’s note: The Cadastro Nacional de Pessoas Jurídicas (National Registry of Legal Entities) is a Brazilian registry for corporations, partnerships, foundations, investment funds, and other legal entities, maintained by the Federal Revenue Service). Using Microsoft Azure App Service, it provided dynamic reports and interactive dashboards, expanding the team's access to strategic data. 

"I can now access strategic data easily and clearly, optimizing our work and decision-making," said Deborah Sarfati, from the marketing team at Barzel Properties.

Automated APIs enabled instant reporting, reducing processing time and eliminating errors, transforming Barzel into an agile, modern model for real estate management.

Technological robustness to grow with the same number of people

The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central empowered Barzel Properties to scale without expanding its team. The company eliminated manual processes, increasing operational efficiency by 40% and allowing its team to focus on strategic initiatives and data analysis. Tax compliance reached 99%, reducing regulatory risks and ensuring accurate audits.

Data-driven decision-making has become more efficient with rapid access to analytics dashboards. Nessim stated, "The primary benefit was agility and transparency. We manage nearly 60 companies with just four people in the financial department using ERP, ensuring efficiency and accuracy."

Reporting consolidation time has been reduced by 80%, speeding up the delivery of critical information to investors and stakeholders. "We now deliver reports in minutes, impressing our international investors," Beno said.

The future of Barzel Properties: Sustainable growth and innovation with AI

Barzel Properties is on a path of continued innovation and growth. The company plans to further advance digitalization and automation, looking at incorporating AI for predictive analytics and expanding its ESG practices, eliminating the use of paper and optimizing resources. In addition, it is studying the use of AI agents for more intuitive interactions with business data.

"Our goal is to continue innovating and ensure that technology keeps us competitive and sustainable," said Graziella Reinold, Financial Coordinator at Barzel Properties.

With a robust technological framework and strategic planning, Barzel Properties consolidates its position as a leading innovator in the Brazilian real estate industry. "We started without any buildings. Today, we have 42 properties and more than 7 billion reais in investments. Without a secure and robust system, we would not be here," Nessim said.

This trajectory highlights the transformative impact of adopting intelligent solutions to modernize operations and achieve sustainable growth.