The challenge
As a family business that steadily expanded, until it became one of the most recognized names in U.S. logistics, C.R. England was still relying on homegrown technology that had served them well when they were a smaller organization, but could no longer keep pace with the complexity and scale of the operation.
With thousands of drivers and back-office staff spread across the country, C.R. England’s HR team was juggling siloed data, disparity in employee personas, inconsistent processes, and time-intensive manual tasks. With disconnected HR systems that were fragmented across third-party vendors, compliance and reporting were a challenge. Their internal teams lacked access that would help them make strategic operational decisions.
Together, these challenges weakened the HR function’s ability to act as a strategic pillar within the company.
C.R. England needed a modern, integrated solution to streamline HR operations, reduce manual labour, enhance overall efficiency, and ultimately position HR as having a strategic and influential position within the organization.
The solution
BDO was engaged to implement an end-to-end HCM solution with configuration opportunities that would meet C.R. England’s complex needs. BDO’s multi-disciplinary teams stepped in with an advisory-led HR transformation that focused on aligning CRE’s people, processes, and technology, ultimately laying the foundation for stronger business outcomes.
Turn-by-turn guidance and support
The true success of this transformation hinged on collaboration. The CRE team was looking for a clear point of view on what ‘good’ could look like, and we stepped in as that trusted partner to help define and deliver it. Rather than replicate old ways of working in a new system, BDO brought leading practices from our years of experience helping similar clients through these challenges, and helped CRE reimagine how HR could support the business across people, processes, and technology.
BDO’s trusted advisor approach began not with software deployment, but with comprehensive discovery sessions where we functioned as strategic advisors to C.R. England’s leadership team. Through in-depth workshops, we explored their business operations, goals, and priorities, allowing us to recommend modern technology solutions that were purpose-built and aligned with their needs.
We didn’t just hand over a playbook and walk away. From those first discovery sessions through to the first payroll cycles, we served as a true business advisor, bringing not just technical knowledge, but strategic guidance, proven best practices, and proactive risk mitigation that CRE could trust.
During go-live, we were side-by-side with C.R. England through multiple payroll cycles solving problems in real-time, sharing knowledge and general support, before gradually transitioning them to their chosen long-term support team.
Smart, fast solutions built for the long haul
Our solution-focused approach empowered C.R. England to fully leverage the capabilities of their cloud-based software. It involved a complete re-think of how CRE teams would interact with the applications, and aligning with their business needs and goals.
Leveraging years of experience and best practices, we led a strategic HR overhaul that involved practical, high-impact changes across CRE’s HR ecosystem:
The outcome and benefits
By using integrated tools and a single source of truth, CRE has set a foundation for continued success and scalability as they continue to leverage the HCM system’s capabilities.
Our strategic implementation delivered a number of benefits. In the weeks since its implementation, CRE has already seen:
Accelerated onboarding
Employee data is consolidated into a single, secure platform, enabling real-time access to critical information across departments within a single platform. By leveraging advanced automation and centralized data capabilities, onboarding time was slashed from several days to just 30 minutes, enabling new hires to ramp up productivity much faster.
"One of the biggest benefits of this implementation is having a single source of truth for our HR data. Employees and managers no longer have to navigate multiple platforms to access critical information," says Hale.
Increased employee engagement
With the hands-on training and support we provided, employees and leadership teams are now equipped to navigate the program independently. The self-service portal empowers them to access their personal information, manage time-off requests, and view benefits—improving the overall user experience while significantly reducing routine inquiries and freeing up HR to focus on more strategic work.
Enhanced compliance and reporting capabilities
Streamlining reporting functions, allowed CRE to comply with industry regulations and generate detailed reports on an as-needed basis.
Stronger strategic HR focus
The system’s automation capabilities and tailored implementation allowed CRE to reduce administrative overhead and minimized the risk of human error. Leadership has greater visibility into workforce data, aiding long-term planning and talent management, and the HR department can shift focus from manual data entry to strategic initiatives.
Continuous access and reliability
Their cloud-based solution allows access from anywhere, enhancing business continuity and reducing the likelihood of downtime and service interruptions.
“The BDO team came into a spider web of data, but they were patient and always willing to brainstorm and jump on calls. They were really supportive in being flexible and agile in moments of crisis.”
Jessica Hale, Vice President, Human Resources, C.R. England
Driving HR efficiency at scale
Through a strong partnership with BDO, C.R. England successfully modernized its HR operation, overcoming longstanding inefficiencies and compliance challenges. Our team’s consultative approach, collaborative culture, and proactive risk mitigation ensured a smooth transition, positioning CRE for scalable growth and strategic HR leadership.
Our team of experienced professionals have a deep understanding of HCM software which allows us to deliver hands-on support and tailored recommendations to address the unique business needs of every client.
To launch your HR modernization, contact: