Large Arts & Crafts Retailer

CUSTOMER PROFILE
A large big box retailer with over 1100 specialty stores in 48 states and Canada.

CHALLENGES
When opening new locations and completing store remodels, this arts and crafts retailer was experiencing a large number of out-of-the-box failures on certain newer technologies, as well as spending unnecessary time downloading customer-specific software onto servers for testing. This was creating a logistical concern for the retailer due to the significant number of new locations they need to open every month to stay on schedule.

COLLABORATION
Comm-Works has managed all of this Customer’s new store set-ups and remodels since 1998. Due to this long-standing relationship, we were approached to review the retailer’s new store deployment and technology upgrade procedures. We examined how they were currently managing their assets and upgrading technologies in the field. Together, we determined that they could reduce operational expenses by utilizing Comm-Works for all their staging and warehousing requirements.

RESULTS AND VALUE
Comm-Works now houses over $20 Million of inventory for this retailer, reducing operational expenses by 20%. We stage and test every piece of hardware that is installed in every store, and download all required software 4 weeks ahead of the scheduled store opening. These processes, combined with rigorous pre- and post-installation testing, have resulted in a 95% reduction in out-of-the-box failure rates at our customer sites.

Comm-Works technicians also install phone systems, POS systems, back-office servers, PC’s, sound systems, cabling and time clocks, as well as many additional services when needed. In 2006, Comm-Works warehoused, configured, shipped and installed over 4000 computers, 900 IBM POS machines, and over 950 wireless time clocks, phone line sharing devices, and energy management units.
 
Impressed by our proven history of service, the Customer signed a new service agreement with Comm-Works under which we will complete all new store installations and remodels through 2008. All of the remodels are completed after hours. Comm-Works completely removes and installs the phone systems, computers and POS terminals from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., so no store is ever offline during normal business hours.

Through constant communication, strategic planning, impeccable execution, and superior customer service, Comm-Works has gained the trust of this retailer, and has become a valued business partner.