The Future of Retail Management
When Furniture News approached us to participate in a Q&A session for their Retail Technology edition this September, our very own Duncan Fergusson gladly accepted the invitation.
We were thrilled to share our insights on the latest trends and innovations in retail technology. During the session, we discussed a wide range of topics, from the integration of AI and machine learning in retail operations to the benefits of cloud-based solutions and the importance of data analytics in understanding customer behaviour. Our goal was to provide valuable information to help retailers stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
We think sharing this valuable information on our website would be a great idea so that our audience could benefit from the knowledge and expertise we shared during the Q&A. We hope our insights will inspire and guide you on your retail technology journey.
Q – In brief, what does your product do?
A- In simple terms, Sci-Net’s ERP>Retail makes running a furniture business so much easier. It is built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central; the world’s most popular ERP system and we created ERP>Retail specifically for the furniture industry. Â
Our solution helps you manage everything from keeping track of your inventory with options and a configurator to handling sales, customer information, buying, finance and management reporting —all in one place. So, whether you’re running a single store or hundreds of stores along with a seamlessly integrated e-commerce site with an accessible customer portal, it’s all organised and efficient, helping you stay on top of and grow your business. Â
Q – Can you share the names of any furniture retail clients you’ve recently onboarded?
A – We are onboarding Housing Units & Arighi Bianchi and have recently won another large national furniture retailer as well as the new Carpetright business. With Carpetright, we implemented our ERP>Retail Flooring solution, allowing them to do quotes, take orders, receive money, and place supplier orders with one week’s notice.
Q – What does Sci-Net offer retailers struggling to grasp the costs and implications of upgrading their IT systems?
A- Sci-Net offers our clients a clear step-by-step plan with timescales to help simplify the process & understanding of upgrading their systems.
 As we specialise in furniture retail and have written our ERP>Retail for furniture retailers we are very experienced in understanding their business and requirements. For most furniture retailers we have extensive functionality they can leverage that they don’t necessarily have available now. This helps them understand the cost vs benefits of an investment like this.
After spending time with the retailer, we quote for the effort and cost to implement the system in their business. We also really explain the processes and steps of the implementation and, very importantly, what effort is required on their side.
 Additionally, Sci-Net’s team provides guidance and training to ensure a smooth transition, helping our clients to understand the long-term benefits and return on investment of their IT upgrades.
Q – Do you see ERP>>>Rapid as a standalone solution, a stepping stone to ERP>Retail, or something else?
A – ERP>>>Rapid is a best-of-breed templated set-up and implementation of ERP>Retail, which will suit most smaller to mid-size furniture retailers.
 The product is the same: ERP>Retail, but ERP>>>Rapid allows smaller retailers to benefit from ERP>Retail without the larger implementation costs that the bigger retailers can afford.
 The set-up can still be changed and optimised for each customer, but by delivering the vast majority out of the box cuts down on time and money and still delivers huge benefits of ERP>Retail for the furniture industry.
Q – How do you see the relationship between in-store sales staff and technology developing beyond tablet-supported interactions?Â
A – We are evolving the tablet sales experience to be far more visual, beyond this, I believe the relationship between in-store sales staff and technology is likely to evolve through more interactive solutions, in particular the use of augmented reality (AR) so customers can actually visualise products in their homes using mobiles, tablets, and even headwear. These advancements will help sales staff deliver more personalised, efficient, and engaging customer experiences.
Q – How are retail management systems – and yours in particular – currently evolving?
A – We have found that retail management systems, particularly our ERP>Retail solution, are evolving to meet the growing demands for integration, real-time insights, and enhanced customer experiences.
In particular, we have seen the rise of omni-channel retailing, so deep integration between e-commerce, marketplaces, point of sale, back office and any third-party warehouse is essential. Â The customer has to be able to interact and transact with the retailer through any channel or device.
Our ERP>Retail software has evolved to provide a true omni-channel experience through multiple channels, including traditional brick-and-mortar stores, ecommerce site, customer portals, online marketplaces, social media platforms, and mobile apps. This allows retailers to create a seamless shopping experience across different touchpoints, so customers can now shop & transact as they go 24/7.
Modern systems are also increasingly incorporating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide a better and more personalised customer experience. It’s all about giving the customer choice and a great customer journey.
Q – Given the global disruption of Microsoft’s cloud services in July, how can you ensure your technology is robust enough to weather similar eventualities?
A – To ensure the robustness of our ERP>Retail solution against disruptions like the recent global outage of Microsoft’s cloud services, we implement comprehensive backup strategies and have a robust disaster recovery plan in place. With regular testing, proactive monitoring, and close collaboration with Microsoft further enables us to react quickly and effectively.
We also communicate with our customers as soon as possible and provide timely support updates to ensure they remain informed and secure should a crisis arise.
Q – What benefits can clients expect from partnerships like the new one with DispatchTrack?
A – Part of Sci-Net’s strength lies in our growing partner ecosystem. The relationships we build with third parties like DispatchTrack mean we have tried and tested solutions that are quick to hand for our clients, which may not be standard in Business Central. This makes working with known partners more time- and cost-effective for both the customer and the team. It ensures that our customer service is maintained at the highest level by providing the right solutions for their specific needs.
Q – Finally, in no more than a few sentences, please explain why furniture retailers need to be using a system like yours …
Sci-Net’s ERP>Retail is a game-changer for furniture retailers. It helps you streamline your operations, manage inventory better, and boost customer service, all of which will keep you competitive now and in the future.
With ERP>Retail, you get real-time data and insights to make intelligent decisions. It also connects different parts of your business, making everything run more smoothly.
 Sci-Net and our whole team are really passionate about furniture retail and our solutions, which is driving new innovation and winning exciting new customers we love working with.
