Tertiary textbook retailer Van Schaik Bookstore has streamlined the efficiency of its business operations and internal processes with the implementation of VSOS, a customised operating system designed, developed and deployed by the Cape-based professional services division of enterprise infrastructure and integration software company Sybase SA.
The business tool, which was rolled out in phases to the bookstore's 30 branches nationwide and went live in April, has a four-tier architectural design providing functionality for point of sale (POS) and front office, back office, distribution and head office. The solution also includes a debtors system, a stock control system and a stationery management system.
The solution replaced a DOS-based packaged POS system which was cumbersome, inflexible, costly to run and hindered the execution of system enhancements.
"The VSOS solution has profoundly improved our communication between branches," says Stephan Erasmus, financial manager at Van Schaik Bookstore.
VSOS uses Sybase Powerbuilder as a system development tool and is run on the SQL Anywhere database, a data management and enterprise synchronisation solution that enables any-time, anywhere access to corporate information. SQL Anywhere is specifically tailored as an embedded database for remote sites and unmanaged, low-resource environments such as POS tills, kiosks and in SMEs.
"The capability of the new system is incomparable with the old. Now within 15 minutes of a sales transaction occurring at a till in a branch anywhere in the country, we're able to see the data at head office, and vice versa. The benefits of such a heightened flow of information are numerous, including improved business management, better stock control and the synchronisation of orders between branches," says Erasmus.
Enhanced information delivery also lends itself to improved and proactive decision-making capability, which will have various spin-offs throughout the company.
"Sybase has not only provided Van Schaik with a highly customised solution to suit the company's specific trading conditions, but one that is agile and provides the ability to make changes and enhancements easily and efficiently to keep abreast and pioneer new ways of doing business," says Bryn Davies, technical director at Sybase Cape.
The success of the VSOS operating system and POS solutions has initiated the deployment by Sybase of a similar system in the Lux Verbi chain of 14 Christian retail stores around the country.
"Customisation of the software to suit Lux Verbi's unique requirements was achieved within a month, and roll-out will be complete by the end of August," says Davies.
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