Graphics Direct gains significant ROI by using BPA Platform for stock synchronisation and accounting, order management automation
Codeless Platforms today revealed that Graphics Direct, an online retailer of graphic art equipment, has gained significant ROI by using BPA Platform to automate its order management processes and stock synchronisation. Having moved its online shop from Magento to Shopify Plus, Graphics Direct selected BPA Platform to integrate it with its newly deployed Sage 200 system, as well as Linnworks, Amazon and eBay.
“Our IT partner has been involved in all our solutions and integrations for over sixteen years, and they introduced us to Sage 200. This was due to the fact that we were generating over fifty new accounts every day and our existing Sage 50 solution just couldn’t cope,” explained Chris Booth, Managing Director, Graphics Direct.
“When we deployed Sage 200, our partner started building all these different integrations that would manage the stock and they recommended using Codeless Platforms’ BPA Platform. We checked it out and realised it could link everything. This was essential as we also had to install Linnworks as an intermediary.”
The management of data, especially orders and stock levels, is obviously essential for any successful retailer. Automating these processes has, therefore, had a huge impact on the business.
“We were trying to limit the resources that we needed to process these tasks, which is really where BPA Platform comes in. We don’t have to think about the order processing at all. It comes in, from whichever channel it might be, and it’s processed through Sage 200 by BPA Platform. The pushing of all the data into our Sage 200 account system is also hugely important. BPA Platform books it, banks it, invoices it – everything really. We don’t get involved in that at all,” said Chris Booth.
“When orders are placed, we have very little involvement until it produces a picking list to the warehouse. This includes all the product locations of where everything is. We then pick everything, enter the order number into our Sage 200 system and it prints out the appropriate delivery label. It also creates a new account for any new customers.”
“The synchronisation of stock is the most important thing for us, because over selling is a big no, no. With everything now integrated, BPA Platform will send us notifications about our stock levels, whether this is low levels, out of stock or reorder levels. These are then posted back onto the website by BPA Platform – updating the stock in date from the manufacturer’s purchase order.”
BPA Platform’s integration and automation capabilities have provided significant ROI right from the start and has also allowed Graphics Direct to concentrate on other aspects of the business, rather than the mundane tasks of processing data.
“We have developed a business solution that could probably cope with three times as many orders. That’s the beauty of it really. It’s very scalable. We wouldn’t have to do anything else apart from getting extra packing people. The software is there and it saves a lot of time and effort. We’re also looking at using Codeless Platforms’ dedicated Amazon and eBay tools in the next few weeks, as it is a more cost-effective solution,” revealed Chris Booth.
“Fifteen, maybe twenty years ago, we probably only had two PCs, with one person processing our orders. Our IT bill was probably a couple of hundred pounds every six months. Although we have grown over the years and the IT bill is higher, it’s nothing like three or four salaries that we would require if we didn’t have BPA Platform in place. That’s the key really; it’s saving us a lot of time by integrating a lot of processes together and making it easier.”
About Graphics Direct
Graphics Direct is an online shop that sells a wide range of graphic art equipment, ranging from airbrushes and presentation portfolios to drawing equipment and studio spraybooths. Formed in 1998, Graphics Direct was established to offer students access to quality, brand-name products at affordable prices. Following significant success, the business now supplies well-known companies and universities, including Hallmark Cards PLC, Unilever, International Greetings, Coca Cola, W Morrisons PLC, Howdens, Pinewood Studios, Central St Martins College and Liverpool School of Architecture, to name but a few.
About Codeless Platforms
Founded in 1999, Codeless Platforms is at the forefront of business process automation and rapid application development. We have a proven track record of developing and delivering agile, flexible and robust next generation software solutions, empowering businesses to get the most from their data as well as the ability to respond to the rapidly changing business demands of today. Our knowledge of the marketplace and channel has grown in line with this development and established us as a highly experienced and reputable software company, working closely with partners and software vendors, such as Access, Epicor, Infor, Microsoft, Sage, SAP and SYSPRO. With over 450 global partners, more than 8500 customers use Codeless Platforms’ software solutions, ranging from diverse global organisations to the small local enterprise. The company is headquartered in Poole, UK, with representative offices throughout the world. Learn more at: www.codelessplatforms.com
