Maginus, the specialist provider of multi-channel solutions for retail and distribution, has successfully completed a major systems migration project for PC World Business (PCWB) following its recent acquisition of MicroWarehouse.
This key project provides the combined operation - now the UK's clear leading value added IT reseller to the SME market - with the core enterprise systems and single warehousing function it needs to benefit from enhanced sourcing and buying operations. The combined operation will continue to trade under a number of different brands which will all be controlled by the Maginus system.
Over the recent Christmas and New Year holiday, Maginus and PCWB managed the seamless migration of key transactional data from MicroWarehouse's legacy
HP3000-based SGA Macs ERP system to the Maginus business solution. At the same time, PCWB deployed Maginus across MicroWarehouse's 350 users at Borehamwood and Runcorn via thin-client technology.
Because of the nature of the acquisition, it wasn't possible for PCWB to have any further access to MicroWarehouse's legacy systems, so it was essential that the transfer of data took place without disruption of any existing business functions including PC World's 140-plus UK stores.
"We set ourselves a significant challenge with this major migration project and, whilst confident, there was no margin for error as we had to be up and
running immediately and couldn't go back to the old system. Without the flexibility of Maginus - both in terms of its technology and their commitment to PCWB - this project simply wouldn't have been possible,"
commented Shaun Brannigan, Strategic Projects Director for PC World Business. "At PCWB our core IT goal is to create a 'connected enterprise'
based on common, Maginus-powered technology and a single datawarehouse function. Working closely with Maginus, we've been able to fully integrate two major supply chain operations, maintaining operational systems
capability whilst also delivering enhanced functionality, and you can't see the join!
"With over half a million transactions and the associated 100,000 separate product codes and half a million customer records to migrate, we needed to
rely on extensive professional services support from Maginus. When we began operations again in the new year, we had effectively increased systems throughput by over 70 per cent - clearly demonstrating the scalability and
flexibility of our core Maginus technology," he continued. "Following the
successful migration, we have a common picture of each customer account and an end-to-end audit trail of business transactions allowing us to work toward consistent account management."
"The success of this project has been largely due to the close co-operation between the staff at Maginus and PCWB," added Harry Manley, Commercial Director for Maginus. "As a result of the project, PCWB expect to improve
the bottom line due to increased efficiencies in all areas of the business.
With the integration of the MicroWarehouse business, the PCWB solution now supports over 1,500 active users and provides a broad solution ranging from sales and CRM to full supply chain, warehouse management and helpdesk."
About PC World Business:
PC World Business (PCWB) is the business-to-business arm of the well known chain store, operating under the brands of PC World Business, Inmac and MacWarehouse. PCWB offers the widest IT product range available in the UK, a multi-channel proposition through business centres in each PC World store, a catalogue which represents The Definitive Buyers Guide to IT, a comprehensive web presence through www.pcwb.com, www.inmac.co.uk & www.macwarehouse.co.uk, and a field sales force. PCWB prides itself onoffering competitive prices, an extensive range of services, and expert technical help and advice.
PCWB first installed Maginus Commerce Software in 2000 as the core system to manage its business. The system now has in excess of 1,500 users (with about half at its call centres, and half remotely managed within its 140+ stores), providing a sales, CRM, supply chain and warehouse management solution for this c.£400m operation.