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Retail Real Life Results Challenge:
Retailers know that running out of stock even temporarily can spell the difference between a good month and bad one. But managing inventory in a fast-growth environment takes reliable, real-time tracking capabilities. That’s why a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of outdoor recreation merchandise called AbeTech.
The retailer’s business plan called for the opening of multiple new retail stores and the addition of employees to staff them. But management recognized that growth also brought inventory control issues, and new training needs. Specifically, the company had to reduce—if not eliminate—stock outs in their stores, while meeting rising demand generated by new store sales. Moreover, they needed to rely on store employees to update inventory information on-site and in real-time—a whole new process and perspective on serving customers. Solution:
As a trusted technical advisor to the retailer, AbeTech evaluated their current inventory systems and projected demands on their wireless infrastructure. The AbeTech team also worked with the retailer to understand goals and current strategies. The solution? Mobile point-of-application bar code labeling and scanning, as well as real-time stock updates to the retailers inventory management software. Down the road, AbeTech also would support the implementation of new processes with a wide-ranging training program.
AbeTech preconfigured, installed and tested five mobile workstations in each of their client’s 27 stores. The stations incorporated top-line Zebra Stripe S4M bar code printers, Dell laptops, HHP scanners and Newcastle powered carts to enable mobility. That way, staff at each store can efficiently log inventory, whether on the shelf or in the backroom, on a regular basis and automatically update the inventory management system. Moreover, AbeTech provided "train the trainer" services to key employees involved in store operations to ensure the smooth roll-out of the new solution. However, impressed with the level of detail AbeTech training included, such as user experience feedback, documentation, screen shots and user surveys, the retailer determined that AbeTech would continue to provide training directly to all of their retail printing groups on-site at each new retail store. They could rest assured that every staff member would receive thorough training—now and into the future. Result:
After deploying the mobile workstations in record time, AbeTech sent a team of trainers to each store location and conducted extensive training sessions. From the start, the custom solution that AbeTech implemented met functional and financial benchmarks as the retailer grew to 27 stores and 2,000+ employees. Stockouts on the retail floor were reduced by over 60%, with a higher success rate anticipated as the learning curve shortens.
Most importantly, the retailer benefited almost immediately from greater accuracy, higher staff productivity, fewer stockouts and fast ROI. "The custom solution AbeTech provided met our functional and financial criteria extremely well. This tailored solution has allowed us to benefit almost immediately once it was implemented across all 20 of our retail stores nationwide." |
