Burstone builds a connected global foundation with MRI Software PMX
When Burstone exited the banking environment and internalised its asset management function, it marked a defining milestone in the business’s evolution. As part of this transition, the South African offices relocated to new premises, and Burstone established its own technology ecosystem, implementing enterprise systems, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity controls, as it moved from the bank’s established technology ecosystem to an independent environment.
To support a global, diversified real estate portfolio, Burstone was required to design and implement a resilient operational and reporting infrastructure capable of supporting long-term growth across the regions in which it operates. The legacy environment it stepped away from was secure and robust, but it had been built for a banking context. It was complex, rigid and heavily reliant on manual reporting. Data was not readily consolidated into a single view, and scalability was constrained. As Burstone shaped its next phase, that model no longer supported the level of agility and growth required.
Addressing operational and strategic risk
Without change, Burstone risked building a fragmented reporting infrastructure. Data would continue to sit in separate environments, reporting cycles would remain cumbersome and resource intensive. Teams would spend valuable time reconciling information instead of analysing performance and guiding strategy.
Over time, inefficiencies would compound. More importantly, Burstone would struggle to evolve into the connected, insight-driven business it was set to become. The business needed a connected, intelligent foundation that could unify operations across geographies while supporting strategic evolution.
A platform built for longevity
During the evaluation process, the leadership team focused on long-term sustainability. The central question was: which platform would continue to support the business for the next 10 to 15 years? That perspective narrowed the field quickly.
PMX, powered by MRI Software, stood out for its multi-currency capability, flexibility across regions, and open architecture designed to integrate with a broader digital ecosystem. Attending the PMX conference in London reinforced confidence in the decision. The team gained visibility into MRI’s long-term digital vision and the investment driving it.
We weren’t just looking for something that worked today. We were looking for a platform that would still support our strategy ten to fifteen years from now.
-Yvette du Toit, Head of Operations at Burstone
The final decision was shaped by a cross-functional group across finance, operations and information technology. Cultural alignment played a significant role as MRI’s focus on innovation, agility, and trust reflected Burstone’s own values.
Strengthening the business with one connected system
Implementation marked a shift not only in systems, but in mindset. Moving away from a rigid, banking-oriented infrastructure required teams to embrace a platform built for flexibility and innovation.
Today, manual processes are digitised and structured within one connected enterprise resource planning platform. Governance has been enhanced, reconciliation processes are embedded, and reporting visibility is steadily aligning across regions.
PMX enables Burstone to conduct comprehensive internal reviews far more efficiently, strengthening reporting quality and consistency across the business while maintaining our strong external reporting standards. Data now resides in a single environment, providing clarity and confidence at every level.
-Yvette du Toit, Head of Operations at Burstone
Finance and operational environments across Europe and South Africa have been consolidated onto the PMX platform. The onboarding of Burstone’s largest supplier into the same ecosystem has further enhanced integration and oversight.
The impact is already evident. Significant data transfers between systems have been reduced. Governance and security have improved, and leadership now operates with one reliable source of truth. While Burstone has been live for one and a half years and is still developing detailed time-based analytics, the operational shift is tangible.
Information moves smoothly across borders. Teams devote less time to data management and more time to insights, analysis, and decision-making.
-Yvette du Toit, Head of Operations at Burstone
Positioned for intelligent, connected growth
With its open integration and application programming interface capabilities, PMX positions Burstone to expand its digital ecosystem further. The platform supports integration with artificial intelligence solutions, automation tools and intelligent software agents that can embed insight into everyday workflows, spanning strategic finance, operations and marketing.
By consolidating data and establishing one connected enterprise resource planning platform, Burstone has created the infrastructure required for sustained, scalable and intelligent growth.