- MicroStrategy business intelligence provides reporting dashboards across the business, enabling better business decisions, every day
- Real time enterprise data warehouse continually captures every SAP transaction from online and retail channels as it goes through
- Data warehouse integrates email campaign information, giving insight into customer behavior and managing the email subscribe list
- A twice daily beat sends reporting information out at midday and at 4pm
EziBuy is setting the standard for “high pulse rate” business intelligence with a data warehousing and BI solution.
“This is the speed of business intelligence reporting that decision makers in retail, FMCG, accommodation, and gaming companies need to enable better decisions, every day. Managers in fast paced industries need more timely reporting to respond quickly to the dynamic environment.” Peter Hanley, Theta
The solution puts data in the hands of the people who need it, so EziBuy planners and buyers can make timely, informed decisions. MicroStrategy reporting dashboards mean these key decision makers have immediate access to timely, detailed information and can make sound, informed decisions.
The flexibility of MicroStrategy allows EziBuy users to cut slice and dice the information in the data warehouse as required.
“Business intelligence is not a project you start and end, it constantly evolves, and in a data heavy business like ours there is constantly a need for more data, more reports and more insights.” Richard Kirkcaldie, EziBuy Manager, Business Planning and Analysis
In 2011, EziBuy’s CIO and GM of Supply Chain wanted more visibility of their supply chain to better inform their merchandising plan. They wanted to monitor their supply chain more closely and more often.
The existing reporting database system was built in-house and, prior to starting the project, most reporting was done using excel. Certain people were able to write SQL queries, but generally the people who needed the reports were reliant on other people to pull the information out, and write the reports.
To make data accessible to decision makers, EziBuy needed to present the data in a clear user interface in a way that people would become familiar with.
Theta was selected to conduct a scope and strategy study, to identify opportunities for improvement, and areas of the business that were underperforming. As is common during this process, the project requirements were quite fluid, and while EziBuy and Theta moved through the scoping project, EziBuy was able to continually identify further opportunities and requirements.
Half way through, the deliverables were still evolving.
“The key challenge in a business intelligence project is knowing what you want before you begin. We thought we knew when we started this project, but things change, and new information is needed. You need to manage this process to limit additional cost, by doing as much work as you can up front, and working proactively with your supplier to scope the project thoroughly.” Philip Coster, Chief Information Officer, EziBuy
We built a real time enterprise data warehouse for EziBuy together with MicroStrategy business intelligence providing reporting dashboards across the business, enabling better business decisions, every day.
Every SAP transaction is captured as it goes through, and the data is pulled from the various online and retail channels, sanitised, transformed, and loaded into the warehouse continually.
To gain the high level of merchandise and trend visibility desired, we created a twice daily beat which sends reporting information out at midday and again at 4pm.
The data warehouse also integrates information from the numerous outbound campaign emails, pulling required data from EziBuy’s email tool and pushing information back into the data warehouse, giving insight into customer behaviour and managing the email subscribe list.
“There is limited benefit to just solving reporting. You’ve got to get the data right first and build a strong foundation with a good data centre.” Richard Kirkcaldie
Early adopters can already get the information they want quickly, and people who need ad hoc or additional information can supplement the standard reports with the report builder, or get a super user to build a specific report for them. But EziBuy are moving beyond everyone creating their own reports, as this isn’t effective use of user time.
As with all innovative companies, EziBuy’s business intelligence project is a journey where new opportunities are continually identified.
“A key factor in this relationship has been that Theta are open to a partnering relationship; they are flexible and non-traditional.” Philip Coster
Now that EziBuy has a very good data warehouse and MicroStrategy business intelligence platform delivering a core range of visual reports, EziBuy aim to create a set of reports and dashboards that will meet 90-95% of user needs. EziBuy’s team are focused on identifying exactly which reports will meet their needs and delivering them to the many users within the organization.
EziBuy plan to implement MicroStrategy’s Visual Insights to solve the need for new merchandising reports. They are working to set up data cubes to give the merchandising team access to the cut of data relevant to them so they can dissect data and follow trends to predict results.
“The reporting specialists have what they need. Now we need to show the execs what is possible in a rich way, with dashboards and Visual Insights reports. This will roll out over the next 6-12 months. Now that we have good MicroStrategy skills in-house we can partner with Theta to deliver the next steps of the project.” Philip Coster
About EziBuy
EziBuy Ltd is a multi-channel retailer offering fashion clothing and home decor in Australasia – the largest of its kind. EziBuy purchases can be made in Australia or New Zealand, from a catalogue, call centre or the website, and in New Zealand from retail stores.
Founded in Palmerston North in 1978, the EziBuy product range has grown to become incredibly diverse and includes a range of womenswear brands, along with selected children’s clothing, menswear, accessories and homewares
