Armature was established by re-launching British American Consulting Group (BACG) as Armature in February 1998. The company, which has offices in the UK, US, Benelux, Holland, Germany, South Africa and North Europe and employs close to 600 people, has financial backing from Warburg Pincus and Logistics Partners, both based in the US.
Ingo Sassenberg, Armature SA Managing Director, says Armature`s strength is a clear understanding of the supply and demand chain of consumer packaged goods and FMCG goods.
The company`s integrated supply chain solution, A Series, supports four key areas of retail operations: store operations, distribution, replenishment and merchandising office.
The partnership with Sun and Oracle is a result of Armature`s keen understanding of challenges facing the retail business. "We understand that we need to allow businesses to address problems holistically. However, these problems can often be too big, complex, expensive or time-consuming."
Armature is offering retailers a fixed-cost solution that relieves the current pain, but also allows them to easily add other pieces without having to reengineer their business processes. "For example, a customer may need to fix just the pricing problem or the distribution - and we offer them a bite-sized, quick-to-benefit path," he says.
"We are a partner in the journey with the client. If you need one piece, we`ll give you that piece. We won`t force-feed you the whole menu. But we`ll offer you a clear upgrade path in terms of volume and functionality, that aligns with your business requirements or your business constraints," explains Don Bodley Business Development Executive, Armature. "The aim was to put together a practical, risk-free offering that directly addresses clients` business needs" added Bodley.
The solution, aimed at all retail businesses regardless of their size, is based on a fixed cost and warranty, with guaranteed implementation, support and training within a set period of time. "With our top-end solution we guarantee that in four months it will add certain attributes of your business - and if it does not do that, the partners will fix it."
Sassenberg points out that the concept is unique in that it provides a service, but the customer also owns it. "When the warranty period expires, you get normal support. Prior to that, we guarantee everything - you get it delivered and switched on, plus you get training and business processes."
Bodley adds that Armature`s aim was to put together a practical, risk-free offering that directly addresses clients` business needs. The solution will be distributed through all Sun Microsystems and Oracle partners, while service, support and training will be handled by Armature.
This South African initiative builds on Armature`s global strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems and Oracle, whose database is the chosen development platform for the Armature A Series.
Armature has provided solutions for some of the world`s leading retailers including American Stores, Somerfield, Mothercare and Woolworths SA.
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