Unibase Solutions is rolling out customised point-of-sale (POS) software at various branches of SA`s DIY and home improvement group Mica.
Lance Schaffer, Unibase Solutions director, says the Micasoft package was developed over three months and is designed to provide point-of-sale functionality as a main priority, but can also share data and increase stock visibility.
"Mica was looking for software that would suit its differing branch-level needs, but also provide a national overview of its business in real-time. Our networking philosophy allows for supply chain management, tighter inventory control and staff optimisation, all at a fraction of the normal cost of this kind of best-of-breed software," Schaffer says, adding that the Micasoft solution fulfils the potential of franchising.
He points out that the major challenges in developing the solution involved building the application around business processes with enough flexibility for each branch.
"The parameters we set on the application could not be restrictive because, although the basic business process at each branch was essentially the same, the sequence or nature of some processes differed."
Unibase is marketing the Micasoft solution on branch-level, and expects to have deployed the system in 20 to 40 branches nationwide over the next 12 months. Ideally, says Schaffer, Unibase would like to see the solution implemented in at least 60 Mica branches.
The first implementation was completed in mid-May, with three further sites expected to be up and running this month and in August.
Micasoft, he adds, will integrate with Mica`s existing enterprise resource planning solution nationally, and incorporates invoicing, debtor and creditor functionality, stock management, a general ledger and cashbook.
Schaffer claims the benefits of a networked solution, such as Micasoft, are obvious.
"For an all-inclusive, once-off fee, the licence includes central server and network equipment usage and monitoring, month-ends, server and database maintenance, off-site backup, as well as help-desk support. There are no surprises or hidden costs."
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