CGI helps improve Grand & Toy's point of sale systems while building a true technology partnership
From the initial thought leadership engagement, CGI has developed into a true technology partner. Its relationship with Grand & Toy has been based on a foundation of trust and has grown stronger with each success the partners realize.
The Client
Grand & Toy has been a leading office supplies retailer in Canada for more than 120 years. The company operates over 70 stores and seven distribution centers servicing walk-in retail customers and a large base of commercial accounts. Through significant investment in its IT infrastructure and a commitment to growth, Grand & Toy has created an award-winning commercial e-commerce business, and today approximately 50% of total company sales occur at GRANDANDTOY.COM.
Grand & Toy was seeking thought leadership to assess the readiness of its existing Point of Sale (POS) system to support the ever-growing demands of the market and an increasingly knowledgeable customer base. It called on CGI to fulfill this important mandate and gained such confidence in CGI's expertise that a solid business partnership grew, leading to further key engagements.
The Challenge
Grand & Toy's software was proprietary and highly customized. The retailer was seeking newer equipment and an application that would allow access to its commercial accounts right at the cash register. It also wanted to move to a loyalty program, but the current in-store infrastructure would not support this. In addition, Grand & Toy was seeking more flexibility in its pricing decisions in order to enhance its competitiveness. It wanted to be able to easily and quickly introduce new marketing programs and protect its customer base. Grand & Toy selected CGI from among a number of IT firms to perform a requirements analysis and determine the best third party suppliers for its new POS system.
CGI would need to conduct a high level strategic analysis of Grand & Toy's readiness and compare this to current technologies available. As the engagement progressed and the relationship developed, Grand & Toy recognized that CGI would be the ideal partner to prepare a more detailed analysis and prepare the Request for Proposals for the hardware and software needed for the new system. CGI's mandate therefore expanded, and it was commissioned to document Grand & Toy's infrastructure needs, research the POS market, communicate with leading POS vendors and assist with an RFP process. CGI also assisted Grand & Toy management with the vendor decision process and implementation of several pilot sites. And of course, because the solution would impact Grand & Toy's competitiveness, time was of the essence.
The Strategy
CGI was selected because it had demonstrated retail competency, particularly in POS technologies. Also, as a customer of Grand & Toy, CGI was already familiar with the business supplier's systems and strengths.
CGI began by building on its relationship with Grand & Toy. From senior-level architectural system development to design and implementation, the CGI team set out to complement Grand & Toy's outstanding technical and business talents. CGI professionals applied ISO 9001 and Project Management Institute certified processes to deliver directionally sound programs to Grand & Toy.
Grand and Toy gained confidence in its partner and determined that CGI would be the right outsourcing services provider for its AS400 head office environment. This would involve moving Grand & Toy's equipment to CGI's Mississauga Data Center.
The Technology
- Operating system: SQL, Win2000
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): AS400
- Vendor/Supplier: NCR Intel technology, Triversity client server POS software
The Results
CGI provided Grand & Toy with an infrastructure that opened the door to new, groundbreaking marketing initiatives. It also delivered a new hardware and software POS solution to Grand & Toy’s pilot sites on time and on budget, which paved the way for a full rollout. The new POS solution has led to an increase in sales associates’ satisfaction and customer service. Sales are processed faster, and the new equipment is highly dependable. CGI also transferred Grand & Toy’s AS400 equipment to its Mississauga Data Center with no disruption to the business supplier’s operation and no loss in service. CGI has since been asked to perform other specialized services, such as security analysis services for Grand & Toy’s Web site.
From the initial thought leadership engagement, CGI has developed into a true technology partner. Its relationship with Grand & Toy has been based on a foundation of trust and has grown stronger with each success the partners realize. |
