Software Selection and Implementation

Replacing a critical ordering system against a hard deadline

THE CHALLENGE

A global consumer goods manufacturer was about to lose access to its ordering system because of a divestiture. Hundreds of customers and distributors ordered from a catalog of more than 10,000 items, and every market had its own business rules. The existing process was slow and error-prone, and a replacement had to be live before the cut-off date, with no room for delay.

WHAT WE DID

Led requirements gathering with sales, customer service, IT and finance across markets, and turned them into a clear set of business rules and priorities

Evaluated solution options and recommended an order management platform that could integrate with the client's ERP and be delivered within the deadline

Defined the business rules for the new system, including lead times, order quantities, product assortments, and customer-specific restrictions and promotions

Managed the project end to end: plan, milestones, risks, and coordination between the client's teams, the technology provider and ERP specialists.

Oversaw integration and testing to make sure orders flowed correctly into the ERP before go-live.

Planned the cutover and change management, including training for employees and onboarding for customers and distributors, so the switch happened without disrupting orders.

RESULT

Went live on schedule, avoiding the financial impact of losing the old system

Met the forecast time and cost savings

Customers now order 24/7 with real-time confirmation, with fewer errors and disputes

Support teams spend far less time maintaining the ordering process

An earlier solution we delivered for a global food and beverage company earned that client's internal Business Achievement Award.

Services involved: Software selection & implementation oversight · Systems integration · Supply chain business integration planning · Business transformation planning