Beaverbrooks reaps the rewards with new store management systems supported by Vodat International's Managed Network

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Beaverbrooks reaps the rewards with new store management systems supported by Vodat International's Managed Network.

Beaverbrooks, the UK retail jeweller, has completed the roll out of an in-house developed store management solution across its 66 stores, with support from Vodat International, which has enabled it to provide a number of functions and capabilities not available from open market systems.

The new systems, which run on Vodat's integrated voice and data network, will help Beaverbrooks to deliver real-time sales statistics and dramatically reduce operational costs. Vodat has also built WiFi and 3G into the network so that Beaverbrooks can run its point of sale wirelessly; store staff can now take the POS to the customer rather than making them stand at a traditional sales counter. Beaverbrooks has found that sales are more likely to be made where customer and staff can sit together, without interruption.

Vodat has also ensured that the network is robust and resilient selling big ticket items like jewellery, Beaverbrooks need to be assured that there are no breaks in connection, so payments, most of which are by card, always go through.

Patrick Walker, Head of IT at Beaverbrooks, said, "Our business operates in a niche sector and all the solutions we reviewed didn't quite meet our expectations. We made the decision to design our own technology, however we needed to consider a number of factors for the implementation. We needed to ensure that the new EPOS kit was PCI DSS compliant. We have a great relationship with Vodat International and the network they provide us is fully PCI compliant which took away the pain for us."

Walker continued, "The new EPOS technology gives us real-time sales data. We didn't have this information with our previous system. It has taken the business to the next level. The new POS delivers real-time sales statistics for the business. This means Area Managers, Executive team and Directors can get a real-time view of the business.  Also, it's very difficult to hold all our ring stock in all sizes in all branches. However, by having better visibility across the company we'll be able to improve even more on our service delivery to our customers."

The company also believes its costs will dramatically reduce following the introduction. Walker added, "Traditionally EPOS technology needs to be overhauled every three to five years. However, by rolling out our own EPOS technology we will be able to modify the kit continually, tweaking hardware and working with partners to ensure we deliver a continued great service to our customers."

Paul Leybourne, Head of Sales at Vodat International, said, "Beaverbrooks is constantly looking at ways to improve the way it serves its customers and wants them to feel as if they are shopping from the comfort of their own home. It's exciting for us to be working with a retailer that really values technology and what it can bring the business."