Matas opens up with Axapta

“We would like to switch to an open platform, where we could develop ourselves.”

This is how IT manager Leif Thesmer explains Matas about two years ago changing the platform for their IT system. Matas went from a mainframe to a Windows based platform at the same time as Microsoft Business Solutions-Axapta version 2.5 became the shop chain's new IT system.

Leif Thesmer: “The old system had closed standards, and we had difficulty opening up to the Internet and Intranet. This is a stage in Matas' strategy, that we become more and more web-orientated in relation to the shops and suppliers.”

Initially there are 287 Matas shops which have harvested a number of advantages by switching to Axapta. The IT solution is integrated in the intranet, which gives new opportunities to each shop. Purchase histories and statistics can be viewed, where every shop can compare the sales development with other shops.

“It is a continuous process, where we continuously develop the facilities. We give the shops the most information possible, so the proprietor gains a management tool, and the strengthened information effort will hopefully also strengthen the employees' commitment to the company”, notes Leif Thesmer.

“Out towards the suppliers, it is our plan to establish an extranet, so they can gain access to information around sales of their own goods in our shops. They receive under specific conditions the right to take a look over our shoulder. The suppliers would of course like to know how their goods sell out in the individual shops, so the knowledge can be included in their evaluation of the products.”

This is used for

Matas primarily uses Axapta to control the distribution of goods out to the shops, and for campaign management in the shops, price updating and invoicing of goods which are supplied straight from the supplier outside Matas' central warehouse system. In addition Axapta is used to arrange purchases and for the entire financial side.

All shops have their internal IT-system connected to the central Axapta-solution. Using the scanner on the cash register POS (point of sale) transactions can be registered centrally.

“In this way we can follow how the products have sold in the individual shops. We use the knowledge to benchmark between the shops, for campaign follow up and for arranging purchases”, informs Leif Thesmer.

Warehouse staff in action

Matas has just expanded by 2,500 m2 the central warehouse in Allerød, where there now is in total 10,000 m2 with around 7,000 article numbers. Every shop receives goods once a week.

“We deliver to 50-60 shops each day. Therefore it is important that our people in the warehouse can get started with packing the vehicles right from the start of the day. In the course of the night, the orders come in from they individual shops, and our Axapta is adapted with a facility which automatically prints a pick list for each shop, which is ready when the warehouse staff arrives”, explains Leif Thesmer.

Choice and implementation

The many adaptations, which were necessary in the interests of logistics, gave the implementation a difficult start says the IT manager.

“I would say, that the first 4-5 months after changing to Axapta was incredibly hard. Axapta was probably not geared for retail trade, and we had to together with Columbus IT Partner carry out a number of adaptations. In return we now have a very stable system, which works as it should.”

Why did I choose Axapta?

“It is an open technology, where we have complete access to the code. It meant a lot. The entire functionality in the system was also very crucial. We also looked at SAP, but it was too big and comprehensive for our needs”, replies Leif Thesmer.