CASE STUDY
I
n 2003, Argility entered into one of
its longest running client relationships
when it helped Furnmart implement the
Ceres point-of-sale (PoS) system across its
entire branch network.
Furnmart embarked on an upgrade of its
system to Argility’s modern Java-based store
retail system with roll-out to all stores in
South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
Furnmart is a leading retailer of furniture,
kitchen appliances, home entertainment and
bedding. It operates stores under both the
Furnmart and Home Corp brands.
It is active across three countries: Botswana
(49 stores), South Africa (36 stores) and
Namibia (33 stores), and is listed on the
Botswana Stock Exchange.
In 2003, Argility converted Furnmart’s
entire network of stores onto the Ceres
point-of-sale solution.
In 2010, Argility presented its updated Java
platform as a long-term future alternative
to the aging Ceres POS system.
Furnmart and Argility embarked on
extensive development to customise the
system to Furnmart’s business operational
requirements and roll-out was completed to
all three countries.
functionality and proven stability, but that
could accommodate both their current and
future needs,” said Shawn Wilsnach, Java
Divisional Manager at Argility.
The solution for Furnmart was a
Java-based retail management and
merchandising system developed by
Argility and customised in line with its
specific business requirements.
The new system extracts the stored data and
uploads it into the central data warehouse,
where it is accessible to other applications.
The solution
Argility converted Furnmart’s entire store
network to its new Java-based retail
management and merchandising system.
Argility designed the system to retain the
existing distributed architecture. Each
store has its own servers to enable it to
continue trading regardless of whether it
has network connectivity.
The value proposition of the solution
• Data that is easily accessible for use by
other applications used in the Furnmart
Retail eco-system
• Services Orientated Architecture which
enables easy integration with third
party applications
• Browser-based technology that enables
mobile access by executives
• The end-to-end solution is provided by
Argility on a ‘software-as-a-service’
basis, meaning that Furnmart pays
monthly subscription and support
fees and additional customised
development as required
FURNMART’S UNIQUE BUSINESS
MODEL MEANT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE
FOR US TO SIMPLY USE AN OFF-THE-
SHELF APPLICATION.
www.intelligentcio.com
When possible, these servers replicate
back to head office. It also facilitates a
full retail and credit solution and is based
on Argility’s deep understanding of, and
experience in, the retail eco-system.
Wilsnach added that the Java solution
provides additional key benefits to Furnmart.
“Data has emerged as a key competitive
differentiator in today’s envir onment
because we now have sophisticated
new generation analytics capabilities,
with artificial intelligence set to become
mainstream in the near future,” he said.
“Furnmart now has an end-to-end system
with readily accessible data that can
interface with other systems. Argility’s Java
solution also provides easy online, real-time
interfaces to third-party systems through
web services, a growing requirement in
the face of the rapidly increasing demand
to integrate across multiple specialised
systems seamlessly.”
How were the goals achieved? Functional areas include
Furnmart wanted a long-term sustainable
solution that still provided the existing
functionality and auditability of the
Ceres point-of-sale system within a full
end-to-end retail management and
merchandising system. Merchandising: Creation of stock-keeping
unit (SKU) codes, including support for
different pricing per region, supplier orders,
price maintenance, creation and management
of promotions, all SKU and stock management
and inter-branch stock transfers.
“Furnmart was looking for a browser-
based system that incorporated existing Debtors: Full management of HP
(instalment sale) debtors, including variable
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