What we achieved

  • Real-time

    inventory access

  • Removal

    of manual processes

  • Existing

    SAP implementation

To who

  • Industry Retail

  • Products: HCL Volt MX

  • Region Australia

Overview

  • Part 1

    Challenge

    Lack of integration between their existing mobile solution and the SAP system caused a disconnect resulting in limited real-time inventory visibility, reliance on manual processes for stock-related tasks, and inaccurate stock levels for order fulfillment.

  • Part 2

    Solution

    HCL Volt MX-powered inventory management solution designed for iOS devices and seamlessly integrated with SAP deployed across all stores, enhancing operational efficiency through real-time functionality and comprehensive integration.

  • Part 3

    Results

    Greater inventory control and streamlined store operations gave real-time inventory access information across multiple locations, reduction in manual stock management, and increased accuracy of inventory data.

The Challenge

What’s one of the major hurdles retail companies face when they have multiple locations? Lack of visibility to inventory. A key to customer success is to be able to fulfill orders accurately and timely, which requires full access to incoming and outgoing inventory and stock levels.

A long-standing customer since 2009, operates over 160 office retail stores across Australia. They encountered several operational hurdles due to the lack of integration between their mobile inventory solution and SAP:

  • Limited Real-Time Visibility: Team members lacked access to up-to-date stock information, impacting decision-making and service efficiency.
  • Manual Processes: Inventory tasks like orders, stock checks, and inquiries required manual input, leading to delays and potential human error.
  • Inaccurate Stock Levels: Discrepancies between actual and recorded inventory were common, complicating stock management.

The Solution

To mitigate the issues of inventory status, we were able to build an inventory management solution powered by HCL Volt MX. Originally, it’s designed for iOS devices and seamlessly integrated with the office supplies retailer’s SAP system. They were able to deploy their application across all stores, enhancing operational efficiency through real-time functionality and comprehensive integration.

Key features and functionalities of the application include:

  • Real-Time Inventory Management: The solution provides real-time stock location data and back-order quantities, not only for the individual store but also for the four geographically closest stores.
  • Synchronous Transaction Processing: Ensures immediate feedback to users for transactions like stock updates, improving the overall accuracy and speed of operations.

The application supports the following capabilities:

  • Price Check: Easily check product prices and availability.
  • Goods Receipt: Manage goods coming into the store.
  • Stock Inquiry: Retrieve real-time stock data across multiple locations.
  • Transfer Stock Movement: Facilitate stock transfers between locations.
  • Stock Take: Streamline inventory audits for accurate stock records.
  • Bin Locations: Help team members locate items in the storage areas.
  • Price Label Printing: Simplify the process of printing new price labels.

The Results

As a retailer with customers with immediate demands, timeliness is key. You need fast solutions that are easy to adopt and manage with real-time results. The implementation of HCL Volt MX for this office supplies retailer empowered them with greater inventory control and streamlined store operations with outcomes such as:

  • Real-time access to inventory information across multiple locations.
  • Reduced manual intervention in stock management tasks.
  • Increased accuracy of stock levels and inventory data.

When you improve your operational efficiency with an increase of access to and quality of data, you ultimately step up your entire performance, not just for yourself, but for your employees and your customers.

About the company

Australian-based office supplies stores positioned as a low-cost warehouse. Each of its stores carries more than 30,000 products and aims to meet the entire needs of small and home offices with an array of print & create, technology, furniture, stationery, art & craft supplies, and early learning & development products.

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