Turner Bianca improves customer service using multichannel technology

Turner Bianca, the global supplier of home textiles, has implemented Prologic's multi-channel stock system. The new capabilities are part of the latest release of CIMS, the integrated-channel business system for fashion and lifestyle.

Sue Leeson, Systems Manager at Turner Bianca comments, "In the past, we used to reserve stock for key customers. However, if all of the reserved stock was not sold, the remainder would be invisible until someone took an explicit decision to release it. This was exposing us to the risk of large quantities of excess, and potentially, unsellable stock."

Prologic's multi-channel functionality, a key feature of CIMS V7.9, is typically used to separate and manage stock levels for various sales channels – such as retail, ecommerce and wholesale – and to ensure that none of these channels are over or under stocked.

Sue continues, "We worked with the Prologic team to adapt this system to our own specific needs as we do not operate a true multi-channel business, but we did need to be able to dynamically assign stock to our large base of wholesale customers, while taking special care to look after our large key accounts. As a result, we are now using the Prologic technology to ensure that we can allocate the right level of stock to individual key customers, and at the same time, protect it from either being eaten into by other customers, or being left unsold."

Turner Bianca has configured 12 'sub-channels' – 11 for individual key customers and a separate pool of stock for smaller customers.

Sue continues, "Dividing stock by channels is one thing, but being able to assign stock in advance so that key customers always receive the optimum service is essential. Ours is a very competitive marketplace and the ability to account manage each key customer down to the level of their own allocation of stock will enable us to provide much improved customer service."

Sam Jackson, Chief Executive of Prologic, concludes, "This is a perfect demonstration of the flexibility of our technology. The importance of customer satisfaction has never been greater, and the uptake of this new ability for clients to give each customer such a granular level of service is something we are seeing being gradually replicated across our client base."

About Prologic

Stock market-listed, Prologic is a specialist provider of software, services and consultancy to the fashion & lifestyle sector. The company's enterprise software application, CIMS, is a web-deployed, single solution, multi-channel business system designed to meet the complex needs of the sector. Modules include planning, merchandising, store systems, sourcing, warehousing, wholesale, franchise, eCommerce and reporting.

Prologic's approach of delivering its software as a single version, single database product, based on continuous customer-driven improvement, provides distinct advantages over the traditional practice of interfacing disparate point solutions.

With a track record extending over two decades, Prologic has supported the growth of many of the UK's best known and most successful brands. Customers include Aquascutum, Fat Face, Hobbs, Liberty, Paul Smith, Ted Baker, EAST, TM Lewin, White Stuff and many other high street names.

Released: 18 March 2010