Edcon has announced that it has introduced a Store Communications Portal to communicate effectively with its 700 stores countrywide. Edcon's Microsoft applications development partner, 3fifteen, developed the portal that has now become the de-facto means of communication between stores in the Group.
The Store Communications Portal is an easy-to-use, highly effective communication tool. Email communication was extremely inefficient and costly. With improved access to information, each store now has a single view of events that is relevant to the specific store. Not only is the Company saving on bandwidth, but the portal gives Edcon head office better control over tasks allocated to each store.
Previously, there were challenges establishing whether or not store managers received specific communiqu'e. The portal has incorporated a verification system whereby confirmable and non-confirmable circulars are tracked.
Furthermore, the Store Communications Portal has a 'Golden Opportunities' section where customer suggestions and complaints are posted. It allows Edcon to react fast and efficiently to customer's needs, improving overall customer satisfaction.
Esme Alberts, 3fifteen account manager, says the Edcon Group probably has the most feature rich Microsoft e-commerce platform in Southern Africa. "At 3fifteen we are striving in partnership with all the IT and business teams within the Edcon Group to maximise the full potential of this platform."
Increased reporting functions and stock control mechanisms will soon be introduced to the stores through the portal.
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3fifteen is a 100% focused Microsoft applications solutions development company in which Dimension Data SA, through Protocol, has taken a 45% stake.
3fifteen is one of the first Microsoft partners in South Africa to achieve Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status in two competencies, Integrated E-Business Solutions and Information Worker Solutions. 3fifteen has met the rigorous new conditions introduced as part of the global software vendor's revamped partner certification programme.
3fifteen has been awarded the 'Integrated e-Business Solutions Partner of the Year 2005 Award' by Microsoft. 3fifteen was also nominated in three other categories including the Customer Experience Award, the Winning Customers Award and the Information Worker Solutions Award.
Key to its success, 3fifteen believes companies with niche market needs are often not satisfied with packaged products because desired specifications are rarely met. Therefore, at the heart of 3fifteen's offering is the ability to deliver customised application developments, tailored solutions that add value throughout the customer's core business and provide companies with a crucial competitive advantage.
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