Sharp Electronics (Europe) increases delivery speed 33%, gets high ROI

Sharp Electronics (Europe) is leveraging the Web by securely extending its order entry mainframe application to partners.

Throughout Europe, Sharp's sales subsidiaries, channel partners, resellers, and large retailers, such as Wal-Mart, have an ongoing need for replacement parts.

These parts encompass all Sharp products - from microwave ovens and camcorders to laptops and copiers.

Previously, customers received parts about three days after they placed an order.

Now, they receive them on average in two days. "This has resulted in a 33% reduction in our delivery schedule," according to Peter Steffen, Sharp's EDP Manager.

To ease the administrative burden and streamline activities, Sharp has deployed a Web-based, self-service application that securely extends its existing order entry mainframe application to business partners.

Sharp's new order entry application was developed using Attachmate mainframe integration technology. The presentation solution lets Sharp's business partners:

* Place orders easily through the convenience of their Web browser
* Enter orders immediately to the mainframe, without time zone restrictions
* Help themselves, using handy features such as replacement part searches
* Receive parts faster

The new Web-based application is easily accessible by users. They merely point and click, as if browsing the Web, without realising they are connected to an IBM mainframe.

Business partners can link directly from Sharp's (German) home page at www.sharp.de to a welcome page, where registered users must identify themselves by entering their user ID and password before they're granted access to the application.

With the new Web-based application available 24x7, orders can be placed directly to the mainframe. The system also identifies erroneous order information, resolving issues on the spot.

If a user enters an invalid part number, the system suggests another part number. Users can also look up part numbers on the system instead of relying on Sharp's clerks.

Besides improving overall user responsiveness and satisfaction, the self-service application helps Sharp maintain its image as an innovative brand and streamlines the company's internal processes, reducing costs.

Attachmate consultants jointly managed the project with Steffen. The project was completed over a concentrated eight-week period.

"The co-operation between the Attachmate consultant, our local Attachmate representative and Sharp was great," said Steffen.

"It was very fast. Attachmate completed their responsibilities for the project about a month ahead of schedule."