Sure wanted to replace its manual warehouse processes with a paper-free, data-driven system. With Thinc’s help, the team has used Sage 200 and Sicon modules to transform its operations.
Sure Retail Equipment provides technology, display and retail solutions to some of the UK’s biggest retailers. The paint in a Dulux Decorator Centre, the groceries in a Co-op, the pet treats at Jollyes – they all come to your basket from a Sure shelf.
Operating all over the UK, Sure Retail Equipment has two main routes to market – working with industry leading shop fitters, looking for competitive advantage via reliable service, and rapid turnaround, on best, quality fittings. It also works with large-scale chain retailers who seek the highest standards of expertise, efficiency and innovation from a trusted service partner. From providing best-in-class displays, to creative design services, and modern, transformative store/estate solutions, Sure serves the full breadth of retail display needs.
Gordon McConnell is the Operations Manager at Sure and has been there for over ten years. He’s seen a lot of change in that time, not least in the role technology plays in fulfilling Sure’s ethos: “Intelligently sourced, diligently specified, professionally delivered.”
Sure offers a wide range of own-brand and imported equipment, all with a promise to deliver on site within 24 hours. When Gordon joined, all these warehouse processes were managed manually. A packing list with customers’ orders would be printed out each day and the team would go and pick out the stock for delivery.
However, in an increasingly competitive market, where companies in Europe and Far East price their goods aggressively, it was becoming apparent to the team that a more efficient way of working was needed.
A major requirement for Sure was to make its operations as paper-free as possible, removing the potential for manual error on the shop floor and bringing all the data into one system, accessible to the whole team. Around ten years ago, the decision was taken to adopt Sage 200 to help manage the business’ stock. A Sage 200 partner was chosen to help with the implementation and support.
It was clear to Sure that Sage 200 had the potential to transform its business, but unlocking it proved to be difficult, as problems emerged in the quality of support from its service provider.
Around this time, Sure’s Managing Director reached out to Thinc to see if we could help them. After a couple of conversations, our Head of Sage Practice visited the team in person to find out more about what they needed their system to do.
We worked closely together to prioritise these requirements – and chief among them was a way of digitising and automating the stock management processes in the warehouse. We introduced them to the capabilities of two Sicon modules – Barcoding and Warehousing and Works Order Processing (WOP). We agreed to work together, with implementing these scanning and stock management tools the first task at hand.
Moving towards a digital warehousing solution was a big change for Sure’s people, representing a break from ways of working that had served them for 20 years. We therefore worked closely with the team to map out the typical use cases and delivered a series of training sessions to ensure everyone was able to get up and running with the minimum of snags.
The implementation of Sicon’s Barcoding and Warehousing and WOP modules has helped Sure to accurately quantify and pick stock, while the WOP module has made it simpler and more flexible to price components and process orders, boosting efficiency and profitability.
A real difference-maker has been the ability to produce a packing list for each and every pallet, allowing Sure to give a level of detail to customers that few of their competitors can offer. When deliveries arrive at the customer’s site, the recipient can quickly find the items they need – a crucial time-saver when items need to be installed in a set order. The benefits are also felt in Sure’s warehouse, where hours of searching have been saved by the enhanced visibility of locations enabled by the system.
As the company continues to transform its operations, the real catalyst has been the collaborative relationship between Sure and Thinc. With the potential of Sage 200 unlocked, Gordon and his colleagues know that we’re here to listen and guide, whether it’s a quick fix or supporting a new strategic initiative.
It’s the type of relationship we believe amplifies the power of a business’ people, and we’re delighted that the Sure team have put their trust in us.
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Through this understandingwe come together guiding you to the right solution to create tailored solutions built to your precise needs.
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