• Computer Hardware / Software Retailer
• 3 Mega Stores (Singapore)
• 1 Retail Operations Division
• 1 Government Supply Division
• 50,000+ Products
• Century since 1997
• Century Retail
• Custom Aplications

Synopsis

Challenger is the major consumer Computer Hardware / Software retailer based in Singapore operating 3 mega stores. The partnership with a retail focused application vendor was part of the vision for continued growth. The acquisition of the Century Merchandising system was seen to be the most suitable application to manage the projected growth.

Century Software began their partnership with Challenger in 1997 gradually implementing software to manage Purchasing and Receivals, Distribution, Price Management, Store level Inventories, Open to buy and Planning. Interfaces and audits were initially built to allow them to retain their existing financials while implementing new Century Inventory Management applications.

How they do it.

The Challenger merchandise implementation places its emphasis on its interface with the POS (Developed locally in Singapore and interfaces by Century Software) for new lines and prices, Cost management as well as the traditional Inventory Management. From store level the POS systems fed into Century’s merchandising system providing the essential data on trading conditions, Cost of Goods sold and store inventory levels, Stock purchases are made through the merchandising system utilising a purchasing method where individual products are placed under ‘Price Protection’, This method provides Challenger with a price/product shield against an individual product either being superseded or significant cost price breaks becoming effective shortly after receival date

Business Benefits

With more than 50,000 products to track, Merchandise, unit and velocity reports rapidly became an essential tool in the Buyers armoury. These reports can be produced at Department, Class, Brand or even Supplier level. Velocity reports are produced for each store as well as consolidated to company level. All reporting is at a financial level as well as at unit level, consolidating up through the Merchandise hierarchy. This partnership with Century Software allows Challenger to manage the business in a quick response manner.