Dr Martens is set to embark on a new business transformation programme, using IT as an enabler.
Over the course of a three-year programme, the footwear brand will replace existing IT systems, spreadsheets and manual processes with a Microsoft suite inluding Dynamics 365, mobile point of sale and PowerBI.
It will result in Dr Martens having an enterprise-wide integrated solution for finance, procurement, supply chain, warehousing and its retail business. It is hoped the technology upgrade will create efficiencies across the business, and allow new stores to be integrated into the network seamlessly.
Jon Mortimore, chief financial officer of Dr Martens' trading group Airwair International, said the programme will result in change to the company’s systems, processes and procedures.
He also suggested that the new technology will enrich the role of Dr Martens staff by replacing several manual tasks with tools that are more suited to supporting the company’s global growth plans. The brand already operates in 63 countries.
Hitachi Solutions Europe has been chosen as Dr Martens’ global transformation and implementation partner, due to its expertise in Microsoft Dynamics and its growing reputation in retail.
Steven French, CEO of Hitachi Solutions Europe, commented: “Hitachi Solutions is immensely proud to be chosen by Dr Martens to transform their IT landscape and supporting processes, particularly as the success of this project is crucial to their plans for rapid growth.”
Mortimer added: “We chose Hitachi Solutions as our business transformation partner not only because of their expertise in the technology, but also for their expertise in retail; their global presence and crucially their ability to assist with the business process and people element of the change programme through their transformation and adoption consulting team.”
Hitachi Solutions Europe teamed up with Essential Retail last year to run a roundtable breakfast on the subject of cutting customer irritation.
Representatives from Tesco, Carpetright, Dune Group and Blackwell's sat down for the event to discuss the modern retail customer journey and the best ways to remove shopper pain points. The debate covered the impact technology is having on the shopping experience, new ways of encouraging loyalty, and how to put customer service at the heart of retail.