Retailer’s New Pre-Production and WIP Tracking Software Improves Visibility

The client is a $4 billion, specialty retailer and wholesaler of private-label children’s clothing, footwear, and accessories. The retailer managed its purchase order work-in-process tracking (production tracking) in various, manually created Excel spreadsheets distributed by their agents and vendors across each strategic business unit. A pilot program was attempted to minimize much of the manual effort required to manage these spreadsheets, but it did not eliminate the numerous inherent errors.

The client recognized the increasing need for centralized, enterprise pre-production and WIP tracking software and selected a system with a user experience like the retailer’s familiar spreadsheets but without many of the issues. Parker Avery was tasked to ensure a successful solution implementation.

Parker Avery provided project management expertise, organizational change services, and solution implementation support for the retailer’s pre-production and WIP tracking software implementation through the following activities:

Solution Blueprint

• Defined the future pre-production and WIP tracking business processes and requirements

Solution Design

• Validated the processes and requirements with business stakeholders
• Designed solution functionality in conjunction with the client and vendor resources

Solution Implementation

• Oversaw the configuration and development of the solution
• Assisted with system integration and user acceptance testing activities
• Assisted with the development of training materials and training delivery

Deployment and Post-implementation Support

• Provided post-implementation support until the solution was stabilized and transitioned to the client’s help desk