Autumn 2009

The term 'multi-channel' sometimes includes traditional high-street retail channels as well as newer direct channels, and retailers are often faced with challenges when it comes to integrating all these channels together.

Against this background, Maginus has added a new point of sales solution from Microsoft, Dynamics POS 2009, to its portfolio. It says it is one of the first suppliers in the UK to offer it.

As the name implies, the product is based on the Microsoft Dynamics platform, and Maginus has integrated it into its Multi Channel Commerce (MCC) solution, which is built on the Microsoft Dynamics AX platform. Maginus says it enables users to handle multi-store, multi-channel operations within a single environment.

As an example of the potential benefits, Maginus cites a scenario where a consumer orders online, but wants to return a product to a physical store. The sales assistant has access via the POS system to look up the details and manage the exchange; the back-office system maintains a single view of the customer.

 

Maginus says a key strength of the system is that all data is held in one database, providing improved stock management and consistent pricing and promotion policies.

According to sales and marketing director Russell Dorset: 'Whatever channel the customer is purchasing across, the experience is consistent.'