Decision Systems

News and Updates

Per Una Scoop a Franchise ‘Esclusive’ for M&S.

Per Una have launched a web-based version of the ‘Esclusive di Moda’ catalogue to their franchise partners, the M&S overseas franchisees, which is the fastest growing part of their business. Developed by Decision Systems Limited to meet Per Una’s requirements and based on the Range Buyer / Supplier Interaction model, the Franchise Interaction system gives the Per Una Franchise Merchandising team greater publishing flexibility than the monthly hard copy version it replaces. It’s speed of response also means that franchisees’ orders can be collected and totalled before Per Una contracts with its manufacturers, thus reducing financial risk. Feedback from the Franchise partners has been very positive.

Austin Reed Trade Up with Buyerplan

Austin Reed recently commissioned Decision Systems to provide the information used in their weekly Trading Meetings chaired by Chief Executive Nick Hollingsworth. The successful implementation has prompted Nick to instigate the same system for AR Group’s other retail chain CC, formerly Country Casuals. Based on the Merchandise Planner (WSSI) module the system supports summary and detailed views of Actual and Forecast performance using Data Elements specified by AR.

S’porter Supports the Clubs

George Davies’ less well-known business, S’porter, has high profile clients in Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC. Buyerplan from Decision Systems has been an integral part of the squad providing the planning systems for the important merchandise operation at both clubs, soon to expand dramatically as reported by Retail Week. George plans to expand into S.E. Asia where he believes the fan base for leading Premier League teams will support a £100M turnover.

Per Una Interact with their Suppliers

The Buyerplan Range Buyer module was developed with Per Una and has been a major success. But information that the system uses and supplies was still being exchanged with Suppliers by email, fax and post. The new, internet-based, Buyerplan Supplier Interaction module has changed things dramatically so that suppliers and buyers update their Critical Path dates and comments and these are instantly available to each other without re-keying of any data. Subsequent extension to Design Packs, Sample Control and Quality processes has meant that virtually all parts of the product development process are covered and information is exchanged efficiently and without delay.

QS Grab the Initiative

QS, a longstanding client of Decision Systems initially via the Bewise chain and then by the whole of QS after the two companies merged in 2004, was recently acquired by the Mumbai based textile manufacturer Grabal Alok. This prompted the normal evaluation of all systems and costs, resulting in a continued commitment to the Buyerplan system. Buyerplan continues to be an important facility for the control of stock in the business.

Per Una Lighten the Monday Load

As with most retailers Per Una need to prepare and analyse much information for Monday meetings. When you add George Davies’ exacting standards for clear, accurate and insightful performance reporting then the load on merchandisers can be substantial. Decision Systems have delivered new “Monday Books” and seasonal “Product Performance” reports that fully satisfy management’s information requirements and yet leave time for buyers and merchandisers to analyse, discuss and make decisions themselves. Tony Scott, Cell Head, says “The reports have made an immediate impact on our Monday trading meetings.”