UK charity to deploy Microsoft Dynamics-based ePOS and warehouse management system
Rebecca Gibson |
UK-based non-profit charity Sue Ryder is to roll out a Microsoft Dynamics-based ePOS solution to streamline how it manages and sells stock across its 455 high street stores, its online site and its dedicated eBay and Amazon channels.
Developed by Microsoft partner K3 Retail, the ePOS solution will give Sue Ryder’s staff a single overview of stock and real-time insights into what goods are selling, across which channel and within each individual store. It will also connect to Gift Aid.
“By putting this system in, we’ll be able to see constant snapshots of what our shops are taking, the average transaction value, or how many items they sell, so it will help us to flag up some training issues if we’ve not got the right person on the till,” said Paula Moore, retail area manager at Sue Ryder, in a video. “Most importantly, as an area manager, it will help me to see where I need to focus. We don’t get that at the moment, and if we’re going to push a store’s performance, we need that data.”
K3 Retail will also implement a new warehouse management system (WMS), which will tie-in closely with the ePOS and finance systems. Sue Ryder’s employees will be able to barcode donated items, which will give them visibility into the goods in the warehouse, high street stores, and the online stores. By linking stock online and in stores, Sue Ryder will be able to create a better experience for omnichannel customers, while simultaneously generating better business insights and operational efficiencies.
“We’re going to understand our business at a level we haven't had the opportunity to do to date, ensuring that we are as efficient and as cost effective a retailer as we can be,” said David Borrett, director of retail, marketing and communications at Sue Ryder, in a video. “Ultimately, the more money our retail operation generates, the more people we can serve in our hospices and neurological care centres. It’s going to be absolutely fantastic in terms of our knowledge and understanding of the business, and it’s going to present us with so many opportunities to drive our business forward in a new way.”
Sue Ryder is working with K3 Retail to integrate the new technology and re-train staff to ensure it gets the most out of the upgrade.
Read more from Sue Ryder's head of IT Adam Fisher here.