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| The UK's largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer ASOS , has selected Retail Assist’s Merret supply chain solution to replace its core buying and merchandising systems. The new system covers product creation, purchase order management, supplier management, stock valuation, markdowns and promotions. |
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ASOS has invested in a strategic programme to replace its back-office systems, as the company’s IT Director, Dan West, explains: “We’re growing at a phenomenal pace. Our systems need to be capable of underpinning our business strategies, including international expansion, ensuring we maintain our competitive edge. Whilst in-house systems have met our needs to date, we now need stronger and more consistent controls and processes. This is a great opportunity to re-map our processes for the benefit of the business.”
ASOS has been systematically replacing its core systems with ‘best of breed’ solutions and selected Merret to enhance the control and visibility of its supply chain.
Observes Retail Assist’s product director, Nigel Illingworth: “In Merret, ASOS saw a functionally-rich system that will instantly improve control and visibility. Our integrated solution will fully support ASOS’ aggressive growth plans.”
Dan West describes why Retail Assist were chosen: “We believe that they are capable of building solutions that make a positive contribution to operations, customer service and the bottom line. We also feel comfortable with the company culture, and are looking forward to building a partnership with them.”
The project is underway to deliver a Merret MMS solution that includes development of data interfaces to integrate with ASOS’ suite of applications. Retail Assist will also provide project management and implementation services.
Adds Nigel Illingworth: “ASOS will gain in lots of ways from using Merret, including promotion management options and greater flexibility in managing multiple drop dates for intake. Supplier management will also improve, as Merret’s method of generating SKU-level POs based on pre-defined criteria is fast and efficient. And by further developing Merret to meet the needs of ASOS, we too will benefit from our new partnership in terms of enriching our online retailing solution.”
Retail Assist Limited www.retail-assist.com & www.merret.com
Retail Assist is a leading retail-only solutions and services company, providing UK and international retailers with end-to-end business applications plus a comprehensive range of services that reduce costs, optimise retail operations and support higher revenues.
The company was the first retail-only IT services provider to be awarded ISO 20000 accreditation by the BSI.
Retail Assist clients include Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, WDF, A|Wear, La Senza, Paperchase, Whistles, Aurora Fashions, The White Company, Odin Retail, Tec7, Mint Velvet, Jane Norman, REISS, Crew2000 and ASOS.
In Products, it excels in developing, integrating, deploying and supporting customised Head Office and Supply Chain systems that extend from merchandising through replenishment and finance to e-commerce. These include its award-winning Merret supply chain solution.
Merret is a real-time, multi-currency, multi-channel merchandising, warehousing and stock control solution that covers all areas of the retail supply process with the exception of EPoS. Merret capabilities include product content, purchasing, warehousing, replenishment, inward and outward distribution, store back-office, retail financials, in-season planning, CRM data capture and reporting, and business intelligence and corporate performance management. Through working with third parties, Retail Assist also integrates and delivers EPoS systems.
In Managed Services, Retail Assist’s proven offerings include 24/7 Help Desk, Technical Services, Operations, Data Centre, Hardware Maintenance and Disaster Recovery. Professional Services cover Retail Business Consultancy and Project Services.
The company’s Managed Solutions offer hardware, software applications and services in a cost-effective Software as a Service package. Solutions are hosted and costed as affordable, revenue-based expenditure, designed around monthly payments over an agreed contractual period. This provides small to mid-sized retailers with the advantages and levels of service usually only experienced by large companies.
ASOS www.asos.com
Established in June 2000, ASOS.com has become the benchmark for success to which other e-tailers aspire. It stocks over 19,400 branded and own-label products across beauty, men’s, women’s and kids’ fashion, plus designer ranges, and adds 1,000 new lines each week.
Constant change and innovation are two of the many keys to ASOS’ success. The site, which has been likened more to an online magazine than an online store, has created a community of loyal shoppers. ASOS Life, which hosts blogs and offers advice and interaction with the ASOS team, is home to the community. Within the site is also ASOS Marketplace where customers can sell their clothes.
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