Retail
- Home
- >
- Industry
- >
- Retail
- >
- Case Studies Select
Case Studies
Streamlining supply chain operations for a large retail chain based in US
The ClientA large retail chain based in US.
The Challenge
The client was facing issues with inventory management and service level. Hence, they wanted to reduce inventory and improve service levels throughout their supply chain network by improving forecast accuracy and enhancing supply chain planning.
The Solution
Infosys evaluated and improved the clients' supply chain metrics and systems, and developed a solution strategy to achieve the clients' supply chain vision. Infosys conducted a supply chain assessment exercise and helped the client define future state supply chain processes. Infosys also helped the client, as part of this exercise, in selecting the right set of planning and execution tools to enable the defined processes. Infosys helped the client define an implementation roadmap for deployment of various business and IT initiatives to enable the vision. The process vision was based on a time-phased planning process construct. As part of the solution selection exercise, Infosys helped the client with a detailed application vendor evaluation exercise where leading supply chain planning and execution vendors were evaluated for fitment. Infosys was also involved in the implementation of a SCM planning solution and some custom developed applications in a phased manner to enable the defined process vision at the client warehouse and at the stores to achieve optimum supply chain benefits. The first phase was to implement the tool at the warehouse for a limited scope of items. Subsequent phases then rolled out the tool to additional scope of items and warehouse locations. After realizing the early benefits like improved forecasting accuracy and dropped inventory levels, the client has planned to roll out the solution to all stores and all SKUs in a phased manner.
Key features of the implementation were:
- Achieving high forecast accuracy for majority of the SKUs, especially during promotional periods by applying a high level of mathematical rigor, configuration of user interfaces and development of utility applications to capture promotions
- Application of statistical safety stock principles to control inventory
- Practical application of time-phased planning principles in a retail context
Business benefits
- Reduction in inventory at the warehouse due to time-phased planning
- Improvement in service level
- Improvement in forecast accuracy
- Qualitative benefits like ease of use of the system for planners and focus on other value-added activities
Awards
Infosys named Sainsbury's 2006 IT Supplier of the Year
More
Testimonials
"Without the help of Infosys, we would have had to postpone large projects for years. We would have suffered as a result."-Terry Morgan
CIO and Senior VP, IT
More
In the News
Sourcing at your fingertips:Global Sourcing Essentials
Everything you wanted to know about global sourcing, in five easy parts.
Download your copy
