Integrating legacy data sources across a complex supply chain

Retail

D&A Solutions

With the help of Axis, our inventory team was able to beat our annual goal—in just the first year—by double!

VP of Supply Chain, Fortune 500 Automotive Parts Retailer

Meeting the Challenge

Bringing together legacy inventory systems for new insights

Our client, a nationwide auto parts distributor and retailer, struggled to glean insights into its supply chain, which was composed of several non-conforming systems from four legacy suppliers. Each legacy system had its own formats, schemas, KPIs and calculations.

The company needed an integrated, singular view of inventory across the enterprise so it could make informed supply chain decisions. But our customer was reluctant to build an entirely new inventory system to replace the existing data stores.

When they needed help aligning its data strategy with business goals, they called Axis Group.

 

 

Our Solution

Designing an effective inventory model using a repeatable, scientific design methodology

Axis worked closely with the company's data owners and experts of the company’s various systems, along with business leaders all across the supply chain, to develop effective business definitions. Then Axis designers used our Solution Design Methodology to model personas, construct mockups and validate interactive prototypes with real business users so they could “kick the tires” before investing in a full app build.

After several design iterations, our client had an application that let it answer their real-world questions and identify ways for management to gain visibility and reduce costs across the entire supply chain: meeting turnover and GMROI goals, maintaining Inventory on hand at a healthy level and ensuring that inventory supported sales demand.

Solution Sample: Axis provided analytical capabilities to target high and low turnover areas and products. By slicing turnover across regions, products and categories, the company was able to make smarter decisions on inventory, purchasing and placement, focusing on low-and high-performing products to increase profitability.

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