Creation of the unified information system of management of retail network on Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail

The Russian distributor of the Ecco trademark,Ecco of Dews, announced start of system implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail. As stated in the official statement of the company of integrator of the project, GMCS, its feature consists that a uniform ERP system on the new platform will replace with itself the intermediate cash software used at the moment.

Prerequisites of the Project

According to TAdviser, until now in "Ecco of Dews" the ERP system of Avarda and the WMS system of PSIwms were already used. As the Chief information officer of "Ecco of Dews"Sergey Prokhorov commented on TAdviser, the existing system of a back office in shops "Ecco of Dews" works more than 7 years. "Having implemented in 2010 at hed-office Axapta 2009, we, thus, passed to the new platform, but in a back office of shops there was an old system which does not have, for example, lot-based accounting, however in general, the accounting system of shop suits us. But, having decided to implement Ax for Retail on POS absolutely logically that the old back office system of shop becomes not necessary as differently it would turn out that AX – an old system – DAX work. It is logical to have one system with all that it implies from here advantages everywhere", - he explained premises of the project.

According to Sergey Prokhorov, the German PsiWMS it will be necessary to work, being integrated with AX. Implementation of PsiWMS was dictated by the fact that the large distribution center which construction conducts "Ecco of Dews" will work for PsiWMS.

Project scale

As the Chief information officer of the distribution company told Tadviser, to Ax For Retail it is going to transfer all own shops of retail network and also all shops in St. Petersburg. "When we will finish transfer to the new system of all shops, will show only time. It is possible to tell only that it already not far off. Today every month at us about 3-4 new shops, generally in regions open", - he added. The project budget at the same time does not reveal.

Start of a system in operation in the selected pilot regions (shops in Moscow and St. Petersburg) is planned for December, 2012. The retail network Ecco at the moment consists from more than 300 shops.

Project Progress

As of July, 2012 specialists of GMCS completed the formation of conceptual model of the solution on accounting and service of buyers. According to the offered model based on Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail the following processes will be automated: acceptance, shipment, return, sales, including sales of goods on credit and sales through ECCO online store, settlement and cash services, assortment management and a trade inventory, inventory and elimination of regrading, a warehouse.

A system will allow to exercise control of work of personnel, including opening and closing of a working shift, a strict time recording of employees by means of the biometric system of authorization and also to keep account of visitors. Also such auxiliary processes as accounting of corporate clothes and footwear, supplies will be automated. The particular emphasis is placed on process automation of a marketing activity and program management of loyalty. Based on Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail processes of management of advertizing campaigns, work with accumulative discount, bonus and gift cards will be automated.

Project innovations

It is known also that in a system a number of the innovation completions is planned. One of features of the implemented solution will become the fact that the company will have an opportunity of complete synchronization of operation of POS terminals even at absence or failures in communication channels: for retail business it is important criterion.

2013. Project Development

On February 27, 2013 the EKKO-ROS company announced the beginning of automation of POS terminals in shops of network on the basis of Microsoft Dynamics AX.

This stage of the global project of automation in the company - is important regarding increase in management efficiency and development of retail network of ECCO shops, creation of the single technological solution for all geographically distributed network of the company.

"An important component of success of such large-scale projects as what we at the moment implement in our company is creation of full-fledged unified information environment which should integrate all business processes of all business divisions. But often POS terminals "dropped out" of the general information field that could reduce effect of many initiatives, useful to the client, for example, of programs of loyalty. Microsoft Dynamics AX helped us to solve this problem. Thanks to the solution of Microsoft we received the flexible and scalable platform. And it allows to exclude excess links in data transmission chains from the POS terminal before the ERP system of head office which required essential resources on support earlier. As result – we will be able to reduce total cost of ownership IT infrastructure at simultaneous increase in efficiency of its use", - Sergey Prokhorov, CIO ECCO in Russia noted.

"We pay much attention to development of complex offers for the Russian retail and constantly we improve a product portfolio that is appreciated by our customers. Today we endure a new stage of market development of our solutions in Russia: the first project of automation of POS terminals based on Microsoft Dynamics AX. It is especially pleasant to us that we came to this sign boundary with ECCO company, our old customer who is successfully developing the business in Russia on solutions of Microsoft. And we are glad, as for ECCO company is a new stage of business too", - Alyona Gekler, the director of Microsoft Business Solutions in Russia told.

For February 28 the functionality of control of POS terminals is completely implemented in one of ECCO shops in Moscow. In the closest plans of the company – to replicate the solution in other shops of network.

"ECCO approached project implementation deliberately and consistently. Taking into account project scale (several hundred shops, permanent opening of new), and also functional scope of the solution this strategy was the most correct and was repaid. We created relevant to business the solution, and we hope that the retailer will estimate his advantages", - Ekaterina Voropayeva, the president of GMCS company emphasized.

2014: Project Continuation

On March 6, 2014 the ECCO company announced the forthcoming project completion of replication of a system, in March of the current year.

For March 6, 2014 in a system tasks are implemented:

• Management of programs of loyalty and marketing activity: management of advertizing campaigns, work with accumulative discount, bonus and gift cards and certificates.
• Process automation of sales (settlement and cash services, returns, credit sale, sales through Online store, etc.).
• Assortment management and trade inventory.
• Inventory and elimination of regrading.
• Traffic control of goods.
• Use of mobile tablets by sellers: cross-sellings, increase in satisfaction with service.
• Input of new payment types, including contactless payments.
• Biometrics at a personnel time recording.
• Accounting of corporate clothes and footwear, supplies.
• Accounting of visitors and its maintaining in a single system of accounting.