Since 1996, Storm Smart has had one clear mission: protecting families. As Florida’s leading manufacturer and installer of hurricane protection, they’ve secured over 100,000 homes. But as they reached a massive scale, their internal systems were starting to feel the “drag” of their own success.
At the 2026 Acumatica Summit, Storm Smart was officially named Acumatica Customer of the Year. Their journey from siloed data to “one version of the truth” is a masterclass in how to scale a complex, multi-industry business.
The Breaking Point: “Multiple Versions of the Truth”
Before their transformation, Storm Smart was operating on a mix of QuickBooks, homegrown legacy systems, and, believe it or not, Post-it notes.
As CFO Brian Cassell recalls, the leadership team spent more time debating whose numbers were right than they did making strategic decisions. With operations spanning manufacturing, construction, distribution, and field service, they needed a “system of intelligence” that could actually talk to itself.
Why Acumatica? (And why Strategies Group?)
Storm Smart chose Acumatica Construction Edition over competitors like NetSuite because it was the only platform that could handle all four of their core industries in one place.
But the software was only half the story. Brian noted that their partnership with Strategies Group was the real differentiator. While other vendors offered a siloed approach, Strategies Group worked as a cohesive unit with the Storm Smart team. As Brian put it, the process was “seamless”.
The Secret Sauce: “Boots on the Ground” Champions
One of the coolest parts of their story is how they handled the “people” side of change. IT Director, Jennifer Pellechio, didn’t just push the system from the top down; she empowered “user champions”—the employees with their “boots on the ground”.
By involving the team early, they achieved incredible buy-in. Today, 75% of their 430+ employees are active users, a number expected to hit 90% following their manufacturing go-live.
From 2 Branches to 7: Results That Feel Like “Magic”
The transformation has allowed Storm Smart to double its revenue toward $200 million. Here is what that looks like in the day-to-day:
- No-Code Automation: Using Acumatica’s “Business Events,” the team automated complex processes without a single line of custom code. Jennifer calls it “magic”.
- Field Efficiency: Managing 800 jobs a month is now streamlined. Field workers can access data and collect payments right at their fingertips.
- Rapid Expansion: In just a few years, they’ve grown from two branches to seven, covering most of the Florida coast and launching new product lines like FloodSmart™.
More Than Just Business
Winning Customer of the Year isn’t just about revenue; it’s about community. Storm Smart is a pillar of Southwest Florida, supporting causes like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, the SWFL Wine & Food Festival, and local youth programs.
Advice for the Journey
When asked for tips for other businesses, the Storm Smart team didn’t hold back:
- Don’t rush: Document your processes first.
- Clean data only: “Do not bring bad data into your new ERP”
- Herd the cats: Find a project manager with the tenacity to keep everyone moving forward.
Today, Storm Smart isn’t just protecting homes; they are a flagship example of what happens when you pair a clear vision with the right technology and the right partner
Scale Your Business with a Partner Who Works as a "Cohesive Unit"
As Acumatica’s Construction Partner of the Year, we don’t just implement software; we partner with you as a cohesive unit to pair our platform expertise with your unique business acumen. Let us help you eliminate operational “drag” and build the foundation needed to gain real-time visibility into your data.
Contact our experts today to start your journey toward becoming the next Acumatica Customer of the Year.
