Colombus.next;
supply chain optimisation and decision support
Aimed particularly at managing directors, purchasing,
supply chain, store and logistics
directors, Colombus.next is a unique supply
chain optimisation solution combining
purchasing, sales and logistics
best practices into a single software application.
The solution allows retailers to define buying budgets,
build store, assortment and product plans, calculate
accurate forecasts and optimise inventory and replenishment.
Colombus.next uses multiple criteria to calculate
the ideal stock levels for the warehouse or store,
as well as updating mid-season plans and forecasts
to optimise replenishment cycles. Colombus.next also
adopts an innovative new approach to store profiling,
by quickly identifying best-sellers and performing
range reviews for fast and increased return on investment.
Colombus.next
uses the latest advanced Microsoft technologies
Built entirely on Microsoft technology, Colombus.next provides a true retail framework taking advantage
of the very latest advanced Microsoft technologies
and service orientated architecture:
- SQL Server
2005,
- Windows Vista (WCF/Indigo, WPF/Avalon)
- Microsoft
Office 2007
- Windows Server 2003
- Microsoft .Net 2.0, 3.0
- XAML
- SOAP
Thanks to Web Services,
retailers can maximise functionality, personalise
their applications and
easily develop new features without re-working
the code; the ideal compromise between a "best
of breed" and bespoke software package!
This represents a totally new approach to retail
IT
projects which integrates other business requirements.
With the power of Windows Vista technology, Colombus.next offers speciality retailers a retail
management solution which is unique in terms of ergonomics,
user interface and flexibility. Windows
Communication Foundation (WCF) provides the rapid application
development methodology supporting the development
of web services and allows retailers to take
advantage of a service oriented architecture.
Colombus.next offers multiple business services
which can be consumed by multiple users across
different departments. Colombus.next can then
be deployed in heterogeneous environments in
multiple forms (client/server, 2-tier, 3 tier,
web), guaranteeing retailers a truly scalable
and flexible solution, greater innovation at
low cost and the architecture to customise their
solutions and support their current and future
needs. Thanks to the innovative graphical interfaces,
interactivity, 2D and 3D animation possibilities
offered by WPF, Colombus.next facilitates retailers’ daily
tasks and radically changes the way users use
retail management software solutions. User friendly
and highly visual, Colombus.next provides information-rich
graphics and dashboards in real time as well
as personalised workflows. The new interface
allows retailers to work in rich client mode.
Using SQLServer 2005, Colombus.next provides
an “all
in one” powerful relational, textual and
Olap database engine, ETL/DTS (Data Transformation
Services), and traditional and online reporting
thanks to SQLServer reporting services. Integrated
in Colombus.next, SQLServer
2005 guarantees retailers
significant increases in performance and productivity
as well as unparalleled quality/price ratio.
 2.0
Colombus.next uses the full power of Microsoft’s
.net framework. The latter increases development
productivity considerably and simplifies the integration
of the Microsoft Office suite in the retail
management solution. Traditional boundaries between retail-specific
applications and desktop-office applications have
been significantly reduced. For example, it is
now possible to programme Excel directly in Visual
Studio.
 2007
Colombus.next integrates the Microsoft
Office 2007 environment and tools. Users have access to all
Microsoft Office applications in Colombus.next and vice versa, including Excel, Outlook and
Internet explorer. Data is synchronised in real
time across all applications.
Providing real benefits
to retailers!
Benefits include optimised replenishment and inventory,
ideal store and warehouse stock levels, reduced
discrepancies between forecasted and actual sales
and optimal stockholding levels and management
of best-sellers (20/80). All result directly
in increased sales turnover and margins and reduced
risk for the CEO.
Leading retailers have already
selected Colombus.next!
Currently rolling out Colombus.next is the giant
Swiss fashion retailer, Tally Weijl, who operates
300 stores across Europe. Other retailers who
have already selected the solutions and are set
to deploy supply chain optimisation over the
next 12 months are, Véti, 180 store Intermarché Group
ladieswear retailer, French lingerie retailer,
Cannelle, and European ladies fashion retailer,
Naf Naf.
According to Irénée Higelin – Stock
Controller for Tally Weijl - "Colombus.next allows us to estimate the potential sales per product
and calculate the right product mix across all
our markets.”
To conclude, Michel Ramis, CEO,
VCSTIMELESS
"With Colombus.next, speciality retailers benefit from a unique supply
chain optimisation solution
for optimal planning, forecasting, replenishment and inventory. Based on industry best practices
and boasting added value functionalities for CEOs,
Colombus.next is built upon the most powerful and
durable market technologies. Colombus.next, the
result of a strategic partnership between Microsoft and VCSTIMELESS, spearheads our strategy to become
Europe’s leading software solutions provider
for speciality retailers by 2009."
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