Cloud Retail Management System
Timberwolf Ventures, Inc.
Implementing a Comprehensive Cloud Retail Management System for Timberwolf Ventures, Inc.
Timberwolf Ventures, Inc. (TVI) is a favored retail business that operates out of Juneau and Skagway, Alaska. Between TVI’s Trove gift shop and two Alaska Shirt Company stores, there are over 50,000 items to be managed and stocked. The stores are best known for their authentic Alaska mementos, local artwork, and unique treasures.
An aging point-of-sale system and lack of reporting drove TVI to seek a new, more comprehensive commerce solution for the business.
Challenge
In 2007, TVI partnered with Arctic IT to implement the Microsoft Retail Management System (RMS), which then was supported by another IT provider. Over time, it became apparent the RMS system needed to be retired due to lack of support.
TVI began exploring options for an RMS replacement. Cloud retail solutions were very attractive due to their economy of scale and low maintenance Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, and TVI was ready to make the move.
“Arctic IT was the ideal partner to navigate the complexities of upgrading our point-of-sale system. With a fantastic support team and lightning-fast resolutions to implementation issues, they ensured a smooth and successful transition. We look forward to another 20 years of partnership with them.”
Solution
Once again, TVI teamed up with Arctic IT, as a trusted partner, to implement the new cloud retail management system on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce. Store configuration and posting needed to be completed for the three retail stores and main warehouse to facilitate the continued use of TVI’s preferred accounting solution.
Arctic IT conducted a methodical approach in migrating TVI to Commerce, including:
- Upgrading the physical hardware
- Deprecating the on-premises system and servers
- Implementing Dynamics 365 Finance and Commerce
- Migrating the retail data to the cloud
- Configuring three stores and the warehouse with pricing, taxes, product inventory, gift cards, and a personalized front-end client screen layout
- Integrating with Verifone credit card terminals through WorldPay
- And lastly, testing and physically deploying the solution
Retail staff were trained by Arctic IT to operate the point-of-sale app running on HP POS Stations. The workflows and system interfaces designed for the POS experience were configured specifically to TVI’s business requirements.
After go-live, the cloud RMS project transitioned to Arctic IT’s ArcticAscend managed services. ArcticAscend team members maintain TVI’s day-to-day assets, assist with product inventory updates, help build financial reports, and support and trouble-shoot the POS systems. A dedicated account manager oversees the services provided by Arctic IT to ensure smooth operations and aid in strategic planning.
Results
Moving TVI into the cloud transitioned the retail system from a capital expense to an operating expense, so recurring investments for on-premises infrastructure are greatly reduced. The new Cloud RMS is flexible and extendable, setting up TVI for ease of future growth.
Configuring the new system workflows to TVI’s needs also made room for operational improvements. Arctic IT focused efforts on speed of transaction to ensure the check-out process is now faster than ever.
The Commerce application provides TVI with advanced reporting capabilities and better metrics for inventory and cashflow. Data redundancy is inherent in the Microsoft cloud, so the system configurations are protected if disaster should strike. The Dynamics 365 foundation is an ever-green platform that is continually evolving, so TVI will always be on the latest software.
Get in touch with us
connect@arcticit.com