The John Orrs Group has finalised a multi-million Rand agreement with BCS-Net, IT infrastructural outsourcing specialists, for a national Virtual Private Network (VPN) connecting all its retail stores.
71 national branches of retail stores including John Orrs, Spitz, Deans, Levisons, Max Mara, Hemingways, Perl Modes and Escada will be connected via the VPN. The move serves to bring the Group`s debtors system and merchandise operations solution on-line.
Darren Smith, Group Information Manager at John Orrs, says: "BCS-Net has taken the time and effort to completely understand our business, and this has resulted in a solution that works for us. Their response time has been exceptionally quick and we have been given outstanding service. "
He continues: "Cross selling within the Group will be promoted by the ability of cardholders to shop at different retail stores within the group on the same card. The live system will capture the transaction immediately, providing us with vital functionality and our customers with the convenience of one card for all these stores."
Nazir Moosa, MD of BCS-Net, says: "The implementation of an integrated central system will enhance profitability for the Group as fraud and shrinkage can be better controlled on a live system. The VPN will also allow for live financial analysis and stricter credit control between branches."
Phase one of the implementation, scheduled to be completed by the end of May, is to migrate the entire network from ATIO to BCS-Net`s VPN. Phase two, installing new hubs for the Spitz and Perl Modes stores, is due to be completed by the end of June.
BCS-Net, a member of the Global Technology group, has installed the de facto carrier class equipment and provides VPN services for data, Quality of Service (QoS) and ISP transmission. In addition, BCS-Net offers virtual remote access, virtual reporting, facilities management and desktop management. ends
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