Fashion retailer Monsoon Accessorize has rolled out Retail-J to 300 UK and Eire stores. The online and integrated POS, store and estate management system has been implemented as a modern and highly functional platform to support the business’ growth and new initiatives.

Dave Metcalfe, IT Director, commented: “Managing a rapidly moving retail business needs systems that can cope with change. Our previous store system had become too inflexible and costly to develop, and could not support new initiatives like Chip & PIN. Retail-J gave us an advanced product based on the latest Internet and Java technology, and an open and flexible platform.”

With multiple trading fascias, and stores ranging in size from 9 POS and a store server, to 2-3 POS and a master POS, to single machine sites, the company needed a solution with a flexible architecture that could be deployed in all their stores and managed from a single set of central servers.

Monsoon began the search for a next generation retail system in 2002. Dave Metcalfe explained; “Retail-J offered more functionality – at the POS, Store Back Office and Estate Manager - than any of the other systems we saw. Combined with their obvious commitment to the product and a clear development strategy, we were confident that, as early adopters of this new product in 2002, we were making the right decision.”

With over 4,500 employees, it was imperative that the system should be easy for staff to learn. Working with the core package, the system was configured using Estate Manager to deliver a POS and Store Back Office user interface that matched the company’s business processes. After a successful pilot in February 2003, a rollout programme was begun in early summer with the majority of stores installed in time for Christmas trading.

“Feedback has been very positive from staff, who have adapted quickly to the new software. With the system now running in over 300 stores, I am satisfied that Retail-J was the right decision,” continues Metcalfe.

Monsoon operate their entire store estate with Estate Manager from the company’s head office in Paddington. Retail-J manages all communications between stores and head office using the inbuilt communications system, which for Monsoon utilises messaging and replication. Software versions, configuration changes and data updates are effected in Estate Manager and replicated out to stores online. “If we need to make a change to the system, we can get it down from Estate Manager into the shops in a matter of minutes – so we’re more efficient as a business and we spend less time on administration.” Similarly, a trickle feed of trading information is sent up to head office throughout the day.

Used in conjunction with Sales Audit, Estate Manager processes and audits store transactions. This centrally consolidated repository of trading information is then passed to Monsoon’s other head office systems. The use of XML throughout Retail-J greatly simplified the task of integration.

The system includes Chip & PIN support, which will be enabled in Estate Manager in 2005, and Euro support, which has already been implemented successfully in Eire. The software will also be rolled out to the company’s airside stores, enabling the handling and management of flight files, passenger destinations and duty free sales.

The next phase of the project is to implement 400 hand-held terminals to assist stores to manage inventory. Like all devices in the store estate, the HHT’s will be registered with Estate Manager and will run the same core code as the rest of the system.

About Monsoon and Accessorize
Monsoon was founded in 1972 by Peter Simon. The company’s original focus was on clothes with ethnic origins sourced from Malta and later from India and the Far East. Combining modern design expertise with traditional materials and techniques, Monsoon launched a range of colourful hand-block printed clothing in natural cotton. The first Monsoon shop was opened in Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge in 1973. In 1984, Monsoon created Accessorize, an exciting and strongly differentiated High Street concept for fashion accessories. Today there are over 145 Monsoon and 155 Accessorize shops throughout the UK and Eire trading as Monsoon, Accessorize, Monsoon Girl, Monsoon Baby and Monsoon Home. Stores have opened in Australasia, Scandinavia, Brazil, Europe, the Middle East, Singapore and South Africa.

About Retail-J Ltd
Retail-J was formed in 2000 by a team of leading retail systems architects to develop a modern, integrated and network-centric suite of in-store and central applications for medium and large-size retailers. Using the Java 2 Enterprise Edition open platform and standards, the Retail-J system offers true on-line retailing, greater functionality and resilience, giving retailers lower cost of ownership, flexibility and choice. Retail-J software is distributed in the UK, Europe and North America through a network of specialised dealers. For more information about Retail-J, readers can visit the company’s web site at www.Retail-J.com.

Interviews, photography and further information are available from Tony Hammond.

Retail-J
Tel: 01992 538074
tony.hammond@Retail-J.com

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