Sealskinz, an endurance accessory brand, navigated the new post-Brexit trade landscape by revamping their IT infrastructure. The transition out of the EU ushered in complex customs and VAT rules, significantly impacting Sealskinz’s order management process within European markets. To streamline their operations, Sealskinz implemented a strategic IT overhaul which focused on integrating their e-commerce system, Shopify, with the enterprise resource planning tool, SYSPRO, collaborating with a 3PL provider.
This integration project, powered by the BPA Platform, led to an impressive 90% automation of their sales order workflow. This significantly minimized the need for manual data entry, curtailing the likelihood of errors. Integrating these systems allowed for the efficient handling of Shopify orders, ensuring they were quickly logged in SYSPRO and then expedited through their chosen 3PL partner, resulting in improved service levels and operational efficiency. Through these measures, Sealskinz effectively met the logistical challenges posed by Brexit and set up a robust system for order management.
Automating Order Management
The cornerstone of the automation was the deployment of BPA Platform’s cutting-edge technology. Notably, it featured APIs that enabled efficient data exchange between Sealskinz’s SYSPRO system and Descartes, a platform specializing in logistics and supply chain solutions. This facilitated the management of their bonded warehouse in King’s Lynn and supported their expansion by linking with a 3PL company in Milton Keynes for improved distribution. As a result, Sealskinz was able to manage the post-Brexit VAT segregation and reporting with newfound precision, making the preparation of HMRC submissions less burdensome and more accurate.
Tim Petts, the IT Manager at Sealskinz, was particularly pleased with the BPA Platform’s capabilities. Its user-friendly design, incorporating drag-and-drop features, made it accessible to staff members, significantly shortening the learning curve. Petts also praised the troubleshooting aspects of the software, which have been vital in maintaining uninterrupted operations. This technical agility has enhanced the company’s overall performance, allowing them to manage order transitions from entry to delivery with remarkable speed and efficiency.
Enhanced Operational Efficiencies
Through BPA Platform’s flexible automation, Sealskinz overcame post-Brexit challenges by customizing processes for efficient order handling. Their enhanced logistics, vital in this new economic reality, ensured Sealskinz’s edge in customer service by enabling quick order processing.
Such advancements in Sealskinz’s IT systems mirror trends in the wider industry, as seen with companies like Twilio, NICE, and Clari incorporating cutting-edge customer interaction and AI innovations to improve business operations. Sealskinz’s strategic use of technology during a period of significant regulatory change underscores how businesses that employ effective tech solutions can distinguish themselves and succeed. The case of Sealskinz illustrates the impactful role of technology in adapting to and benefiting from the evolving commercial environment.