May 27, 2025

Milestones in Innovation: Celebrating 100 Years of Caterpillar, 50 Years of Microsoft, and 25 Years of XAPT

What do a construction giant, a software powerhouse, and a digital transformation partner have in common? 

In 2025, Caterpillar, Microsoft, and XAPT each hit a major milestone—100, 50, and 25 years, respectively. That’s a century of building the physical world, half a century of powering the digital one, and a quarter century of redefining how heavy equipment dealerships operate globally.

Together, the stories of these companies highlight the staying power of innovation, the value of partnership, and the importance of evolving to meet new challenges. This article celebrates how these milestones aren’t just numbers—they’re proof of long-term thinking, adaptability, and shared success driven by partnerships.

So pop the champagne—we’re celebrating!

A Century of Impact: 100 Years of Caterpillar

Founded in 1925, Caterpillar Inc. helped shape the modern world by inventing and evolving the very machines that build it. From its earliest innovations in tracked tractors, Caterpillar expanded into a global leader in construction, mining, and energy solutions—known not just for rugged equipment but also for a relentless focus on customer success.

Over the past few decades, Caterpillar has pushed beyond iron and steel to embrace the future of smart machines. Today’s portfolio includes autonomous mining trucks, sustainability-first engineering, and digital platforms that provide real-time insights into performance, fuel efficiency, and machine health. 

Key achievements include:

• Pioneered the use of continuous track tractors, transforming construction in the 20th century.
• Expanded into 190+ countries, supporting infrastructure, mining, and energy projects globally.
• Launched the CAT® MineStar™ suite and other advanced technologies to lead in autonomy and equipment intelligence.

With these innovations, Caterpillar continues to deliver on a century-old promise: helping customers build a better, more connected world.

Fueling the Digital Age: 50 Years of Microsoft

What began in 1975 as a small software startup now sits at the core of global business and technology. Microsoft’s journey is defined by its ability to see—and shape—what’s next: from desktop operating systems to enterprise cloud platforms, productivity tools, AI services, and beyond.

From Microsoft Office to Azure and the rise of Microsoft Dynamics, the company has redefined how work gets done across industries like logistics, manufacturing, and field service. It has also become a vital digital backbone for organizations looking to modernize operations, empower employees, and serve customers in smarter ways.

Key achievements include:

• Introduced Windows operating system and Office Suite, revolutionizing personal and enterprise computing.
• Became a global cloud leader with Microsoft Azure, serving 95% of Fortune 500 companies.
• Advanced AI and automation through Microsoft Copilot and industry-specific cloud solutions.

For partners like XAPT, Microsoft provides not just the tools, but also the foundation to scale, innovate, and help industries thrive in a cloud-first, AI-powered world.

25 Years of XAPT: Transforming Equipment Dealerships

Born out of frustration with rigid legacy systems, XAPT was founded in 2000 with a mission to deliver ERP solutions that are flexible, fast to implement, and tailored for real-world business needs. Over the past 25 years, that mission has evolved into a laser focus: helping heavy equipment dealerships digitize and lead.

At the heart of that mission is NAXT, a powerful, dealership-specific solution built on Microsoft Dynamics 365. Designed for Caterpillar dealers and tailored to the complexities of equipment sales, rentals, service, and parts, NAXT streamlines everything from financials and inventory to CRM and reporting.

As XAPT expanded globally, so did its dealership expertise—transforming operations, improving decision-making, and enabling world-class customer service at scale. NAXT has become a benchmark for ERP success in the heavy equipment industry.

Key achievements include:

• Built a global team with deep local knowledge, supporting deployments across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
• Reduced dealership ERP implementation timelines significantly compared to traditional enterprise solutions.
• Achieved Microsoft Gold Partner status, demonstrating excellence in Dynamics 365 solutions and cloud service delivery.

Driving Dealerships Forward: The Power of Partnership

XAPT’s impact didn’t happen in a vacuum—it’s truly the product of deep, long-term collaboration. Powered by Microsoft’s robust Dynamics platform and cloud ecosystem, NAXT equips Caterpillar dealers with the agility, scalability, and intelligence they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.

But partnership goes deeper than technology. 

For 25 years, XAPT has cultivated close working relationships with Caterpillar dealers, Microsoft engineers, and industry experts to understand their needs, workflows, and goals. That hands-on approach—paired with the stability of Microsoft and the legacy of Caterpillar—delivers a transformative advantage. 

Together, this partnership accelerates digital transformation in one of the most complex sectors in the world. 

The result? Dealers get more than software; they gain a future-ready business model rooted in data, insights, and digital efficiency.

What this partnership delivers:

• End-to-end visibility across departments, locations, and business lines
• Faster response times and proactive service with real-time machine insights
• Integrated reporting and dashboards that fuel confident decision-making
• Scalable solutions that grow with each dealership—regionally and globally

This is more than a tech stack—it’s a roadmap to the future of equipment dealership performance.

Real Results: How Dealers Are Winning with XAPT

For Caterpillar dealers using XAPT, the results speak for themselves. Across the globe, dealerships are leveraging NAXT to streamline operations, enhance service quality, and boost profitability.

For example, here are the tangible results for Foley, Inc. after it simplified its 70 different applications to fewer than 20, using NAXT:

• Simplified asset management. Dealers like Foley, Inc. now handle fleet transfers and depreciation maintenance with far less manual effort, saving over 14 hours per month with more efficient audits and reconciliations.
• Accelerated financial close processes. NAXT turned bank reconciliations from a task that took an entire day to one that takes just minutes. They saved between 8 and 16 hours each month.
• Transformed receivables. Foley, Inc automated lockbox matching, which cut the manual work by 80 hours a month.

With XAPT, dealers aren’t just modernizing—they’re setting new performance benchmarks. Whether it’s a single-store operation or a multi-location enterprise, XAPT helps dealers turn complexity into clarity and action.

Innovation Built to Last

Together, these companies represent a shared mindset: evolve with the customer, invest in long-term value, and never stand still.

As Caterpillar explores autonomous fleets and sustainability, as Microsoft pushes into AI copilots and industry clouds, and as XAPT expands NAXT with machine learning and advanced analytics, the future looks bold.

What ties these brands together is a commitment to customer success, operational excellence, and industry leadership. Together, they are shaping the next era of dealership performance, where agility, intelligence, and service precision define success.

Milestones aren’t just about looking back. They’re about looking forward with purpose. And for XAPT, that means continuing to empower dealerships with the tools, insights, and support they need to succeed—today, tomorrow, and 25 years from now.

Are you ready to build a connected dealership? Contact us today to learn how NAXT can help you achieve your transformation goals.