The cosmetics division of National Brands, the Anglovaal Industries` company, aims to roll-out an information delivery project to take sales data online and make it available for analysis by staff, partners and clients across the country.
The project, part of an ongoing data warehouse implementation, will initially make the company`s sales data available to intranet staff, with more complex data available to a wider audience later.
Microsoft SQL Server was evaluated and selected as the data warehouse platform, hosting data from transaction processing software on an IBM AS/400 server. Several options were also considered for the information delivery component, including Crystal Decisions` (previously Seagate Software) Crystal Reports, before selecting Actuate Corporation`s e.Reporting Suite, distributed in SA by PQ Africa`s Business Intelligence division.
National Brands` cosmetic division manufactures the Yardley and Lentheric cosmetic brands in SA. It is also the local distributor for the Elancyl, Galenic and Coty product ranges. The division markets its products through three channels: food chains (including Pick `n Pay, Shoprite, OK, Spar, Diskom, Hyperama, Hypermarket, Shield, Sentra, Game, and Cash and Carry); department stores (including Edgars, Foschini, Clicks, The Hub, Sales House and Markhams); and pharmacies (2 500 nationwide).
"We directly service about 4 500 stores, so the potential user base for relevant sales information is significant," says IT manager Doug Reid.
"Most of this user base, however, has little if any online analysis experience, so we wanted as simple an interface as possible, through which otherwise complex information could be presented. We also wanted a tool that could quickly scan through a summary of the information available and filter out the detail users need. Lastly, we wanted all this available online, so as to reach users without additional investment in hardware, software or training.
"Initially the data warehouse will be used to report on sales by customer grouping, sales by product grouping, and with different combinations reporting on which products were sold to whom," adds Reid.
"Reports will be made available to 220 intranet users, although the final user base will be much larger as we add sophistication to the reporting functions. Eventually we`d like to move the bulk of the data warehouse information online and eliminate paper-based reports."
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