Summary
It’s a mistake to consider legacy technologies as simply an inconvenience your staff can work around.
They hold back an organisation’s ability to scale and improve.
The useability of modern systems unlocks significant productivity improvements. Seismic savings are available over the medium term; savings that can be reinvested and resource that can be redeployed on creating a bigger, better business.
Decora recognised this opportunity and collaborated with Cranmore to deliver it.
Challenge brief [Service description]
Decora’s sales technology stack was outdated. It was time for something new.
The legacy system had technical limitations, an outdated interface, an inability to handle modern usage demands, and few integration opportunities.
This meant serious performance issues, such as long loading times. Users were frustrated. Critical processes were running into difficulties.
What they needed was a new Sales Hub. It would have to meet modern expectations and solve the problems created by the legacy system.
Modernisation was key.
Preparation
Cranmore held a full Discovery session with the team at Decora. After gathering a complete view of their processes and existing technology stack, it was agreed that an integrated system using React JS frontend, .NetC# backend and the business’s existing Microsoft NAV system was the appropriate solution.
This would reduce duplication. It would provide a single source of data across all touchpoints. It would enable the team at Decora to record and report on wholesale-related activities.
Execution
Using Cranmore’s established ASSURED Agile approach, detailed timelines were outlined and checkpoints observed.
Development sprints were arranged while EPICs and user stories were created.
The project would be delivered over four sprints, each consisting of two weeks of development.
These sprints would produce functional releases which could undergo a sprint review and a period of User Acceptance Testing.
Refinement and estimation meetings were also scheduled before the start of each sprint.
As always, the client was provided with total transparency throughout the process.
And, like all other clients, Decora were granted access to Cranmore’s Jira system for complete visibility over the project’s progress and use of resources.
Result
Decora’s sales processes are now simplified, standardised and scalable.
Cranmore provided a system where all sales-related data can be managed effectively.
Technical details:
- Searching for products, payments, and processes were simplified: The solution transformed efficiency and productivity, resolving all inefficiencies related to searching for products, processing orders, and making payments. Operations are streamlined and extensive manual work has been removed.
- A scalable system: The IT infrastructure at Decora was remade. This created new opportunities for scalability. The system can now handle the increasing loads and demands of modern usage. Product orders are now easily created by users who can search products by type and range. Using a search field, they can select from their favourited items or usual orders, providing significant time savings. Users can also add items to their cart, specify quantities, check delivery schedules, and review the product added to the cart before proceeding to checkout. The system now also supports bulk ordering, allowing wholesale customers to purchase large volumes of products easily, removing a barrier to a significant business vertical.
- A modern design: The updated user interface is now attractive and easy to use, complying with modern design standards and user experience (UX) best practice. More intuitive and easier to navigate, it promotes fewer input errors, improves employee engagement, and is of the standard new employees expect. Users expressed increased satisfaction and productivity.