Prior to the launch of Per Una at Marks and Spencer the company needed to decide on its supplier of planning systems. After due reflection on previous experience gained with both with Buyerplan and competitors software, Decision Systems was selected as the supplier of merchandise planning systems.

The two Buyerplan modules used initially were Range Planner and Merchandise Planner. Range Planner was used to prepare product budgets and to process the first styles from the line plan through to M&S systems and on to purchase ordering.  Merchandise Planner was used to assess the initial sales and respond to the higher than expected sales levels by calculating extra stock requirements. These processes have been extended and refined over the last two years during which three other modules have been adopted.

Range Buyer has been developed in conjunction with Per Una’s buyers to bring together and support the various aspects of the buyer’s role all in one system.  The central range plan is complemented by progress control, packaging and presentation, and fabric management.  Visual representations of the ranges have been a major success.

A facility known as Range Bible was produced to meet George Davies’ own requirements for individual product line information.  A combination of a photograph, initial buying data and week-by-week sales and stock results provides a concise record of the key information to support his decisions.

Finally, as complete seasons of history have become available the Range Reviewer module has been adopted to considerable user acclaim.  Time spent in preparing for review meetings is now spent in analysis and discussion between buyers and merchandisers so that a better picture of performance is presented with greater confidence.

An important component in the successful implementation at Per Una has been the continued presence of Decision Systems’ consultant at some point during each week.  This service has encouraged users to trust and fully use the system rather than continue using spreadsheets alongside.