Supreme Furnishers, the sub-Saharan furniture retailer, has outsourced the networking of its 22 Namibian stores to BCS-Net, an IT infrastructural specialist and member of the Global Technology group.
BCS-Net completed the project after a 60 day implementation period. Mark Christensen, IT Director at Supreme Furnishers, says: "We were very impressed with the implementation time of this project (60 days from brief to final connection) and the fact that BCS-Net offered a total solution, including the rental of hardware. We expect a huge stock-holding reduction as a result of the move."
The ordering of stock is done from the Head Office, and was previously based on outdated information, which was received from the branches via a dial-up communications system.
The VPN will enable Supreme to run an accurate Merchandise System that Christensen says will result in a substantial reduction in stock holding. The investment is expected to be recouped in the first year.
A data warehouse is currently being developed by Pro Solutions (software division), a Global Technology company, to keep stock at optimum levels.
Nazir Moosa, MD of BCS-Net, says: "Supreme Furnishers contacted us through Pro Solutions, who had developed a UniVerse-based database management system. The synergies between Global Technology member companies has provided an integrated solution for the client that will enable more efficient sales and delivery."
The VPN enables on-line stock transfers and foreign receipt processing - the receipt for a customer can be issued at any branch, rather than the branch where the purchase was made. Financial benefits include the reduction of bad debts through inter-branch connectivity, and stricter financial control. All areas of information can now be accessed at branch level, for example, stock holding at other branches can be viewed on-line and electronic access to credit bureaux is now a reality.
BCS-Net, a member of the Global Technology Group, provides VPN services for data, Quality of Service (QoS) and ISP transmission. In addition, the company offers virtual remote access, virtual reporting, facilities management and desktop management.
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