...leading UK automotive and insurance solutions company improves stock management and customer service with OneOffice...

Strategix, a European software house dedicated to the development and rapid deployment of supply chain software, today announced that Toad Group plc is to implement OneOffice supply chain software to integrate its finance, operations, event management and sales order processing into a single streamlined software solution. Toad Group, a leading automotive distribution and insurance services company aims to remodel its business as a Real-Time Enterprise, replacing existing legacy systems with an integrated solution that enables improved information flows to enhance productivity, efficiency and customer service.

The Toad Group, which has a number of new fast growing businesses, wanted to maintain its competitive edge by replacing its legacy systems for sales processing and accounting with a more advanced solution that would improve stock management, audit control, management reporting and the level of transaction accuracy. Strategix OneOffice is a new generation of supply chain software that addresses each of these areas to create a more streamlined supply chain for the Toad Group.

OneOffice uses an innovative workflow engine and alerting system that will enable the Toad Group to boost the productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of staff throughout the organisation, by delivering relevant information to users in a timely and context-sensitive manner. In integrating its front and back-office systems for the first time by using OneOffice, Toad Group can ensure that call centre-based staff have real-time access to information on stock levels, customer records and order status, allowing them to maximise sales opportunities and increase customer satisfaction.

"We strive to deliver a high standard of customer service, and recognised that real-time communication throughout our supply chain would contribute greatly to this aim, and to the business as a whole," says Wilson Jennings, Financial Director of Toad Group plc. "OneOffice will introduce a greater level of automation to our business processes, reducing the burden of data processing and retrieval, and allowing our staff to work more efficiently."

One of the core elements of Toad Group's business is the provision of a stolen radio, computer and camera claims handling service, and a fulfilment and installation service for the UK's major insurance companies by its Insurance Services Division. The Division developed bespoke front-end software to handle the highly specialised requirements of this service and required that the Strategix front-end modules, being implemented across the rest of the business, would work with the Insurance Services Division legacy systems. Comments Jennings:

"In investing in new technology it is essential that we can achieve a seamless integration between new and legacy systems. The modular structure of OneOffice, combined with Strategix's skills, collaborative approach to implementation and expertise in integration makes it possible to introduce leading-edge systems while also protecting our existing IT investments."

Peter Lusty, chief executive of Strategix, says: "Many companies are only just waking up to the concept of the Real-Time Enterprise, but forward-thinking organisations such as Toad Group have already recognised that changing the way they use information will deliver substantial gains in customer satisfaction and profitability. Toad Group's decision to implement OneOffice reflects both the depth of Strategix’s experience of working with distribution companies, and our ability to keep our customers at the forefront of technology to address the challenges specific to this sector.”

about OneOffice:
OneOffice is a new generation of supply chain software which combines operations, finance, customer and event management in one innovative system.

This seamless approach maintains a 360° real-time view of an organisation providing information as important events occur. Human intervention is automatically sought at critical junctures or if conditions unexpectedly change. This enables businesses to respond quickly and make informed decisions.

OneOffice has a component based design, enabling businesses to select a solution which is right for them using a single package. The OneOffice product suite includes:

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to streamline the 'back office'
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to improve service and increase sales
• Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM) to detect and respond to critical events inside and outside the business
• Supply Chain Management (SCM) to reduce costs and improve customer service by automating processes with customers and trading partners

The benefits of the OneOffice approach are many, including:

• Enhanced business efficiency, with software designed to meet the unique requirements of distribution businesses
• Outstanding customer service, by ensuring that every customer contact is valuable for both parties
• Improved responsiveness, by monitoring activities in real time and detecting opportunities and problems as they happen
• Feedback on the business, using dashboards to deliver summarised information in real time
• Streamlined back office, by creating an automated, low touch operation which - when conditions change - actively seeks human intervention
• Using one database and one intuitive user interface to avoid the significant cost and risk of integrating different vendors' software products into a hybrid system

about strategix
Strategix is a leading European software house, dedicated to the development and rapid deployment of supply chain software.

We focus on the wholesale and retail distribution, logistics and service sectors where our software maximizes supply chain efficiency and accelerates customer service. Our systems are designed for reliability, availability and performance. Our customers enjoy a rapid return on their investment and genuine competitive advantage.

Focused on key growth sectors which range from high technology to household and building products, Strategix numbers businesses such as Fired Earth, Fuller Smith & Turner, Jewson, London Underground, MacLean Electrical, Midwich, Routeco, Virgin Mobile and Wolseley among its customers.

about toad:
Toad Group is one of the UK’s leading automotive and insurance solutions companies.

Its automotive solutions business provides standard and bespoke security, audio, multi-media, hands-free phone, telematics and tracking products and installations services to the automotive market.

Its insurance services business provides computer, camera and in-car radio claims handling, inspection and fulfilment services for the UK’s major insurance companies.

November 2003

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