CASE STUDY
MFG selected Boomi ’ s low-code , cloud-native Integration Platform-as-a-Service ( iPaaS ) to integrate the systems that make up its brick-and-mortar and e-commerce operations . This enabled MFG to bridge its in-house retail application with its Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) and ordering systems , in less than a month .
As a result , MFG enabled ‘ ship-from-store ’ capabilities across 26 pilot stores in a space of four weeks , facilitating Business Continuity during the pandemic . Based on the company ’ s online revenue generated from these pilot stores , MFG plans to roll out this service across its remaining retail network by the end of 2022 .
“ The Boomi AtomSphere Platform enables us to connect operations so we have visibility and control over our data , allowing us to make real-time decisions and furthering our expansion online ,” said Ng . “ These connections also helped us mitigate supply chain issues by enacting quick , tactile changes while some of our containers were held up in Asia for several months .”
MFG selected the Boomi platform for its versatility , development speed and ease of use . With more than 200 integrations live , MFG now launches services faster , has resilient operations and offers flexibility for new systems and applications in the business .
As MFG continues to accelerate its digital roadmap , the company will prioritize building intelligence into the business and across all banners to ensure customer personalization .
“ There ’ s a lot of data that just lives in people ’ s minds . Our goal was to capture that information in a consistent way that drives real-time intelligence , whether it ’ s in the office , in the warehouse or on the shop floor ,” said Ng .
Nathan Gower , Head of Business Development , Australia and New Zealand ( A / NZ ) at Boomi , said : “ Traditional retailers experienced a battering during COVID-19 , with in and out lockdowns across the country testing the business viability of those heavily relying on brick-and-mortar .
“ By using Boomi to create a central nervous system for its systems and data , Munro Footwear Group overcame these hurdles and kept pace with the digital economy . From here it ’ s onward and upward for the company , with the integrated data foundation primed to drive intelligence and embed personalization across the business .”
We asked Keng Ng , Chief Technology Officer ( CTO ) at Munro Footwear Group ( MFG ), further questions to find out more .
Which strategies and technologies did MFG identify to take its growth to the next stage ?
The key technological strategy MFG adopted is to go best-of-breed for key customer-facing and fulfilment systems to ensure we are set up to provide a bestof-class personalized shopping experience to our customers . To effectively adopt a best-of-breed approach , we need strong integration and data capabilities that can work across multiple systems .
Why has there historically been a disconnect between the footwear industry and e-commerce ?
Having the right fitting shoe is very unforgiving . Unlike garments , a badly fitting pair of shoes doesn ’ t just look bad , it can be very uncomfortable and unsafe . As a result , consumers prefer to try shoes out in stores before buying them and are less willing to take the risk of buying online .
Can you provide more details about the circumstances surrounding the company ’ s requirement to strengthen its existing online offering ?
COVID has accelerated the uptake of selling shoes online because it was the only way to purchase during the lockdown periods . Recognizing this potential , MFG plans to invest significantly into improving our online experience ; from having richer product information and helping customers find the right style , to implementing better technologies that ensure customers get the fit right without actually having to try it on . This is expected to significantly reduce returns .
What challenges did you face when setting about creating an intelligent digital back-end that would deliver a positive customer experience ?
Outdated , legacy systems represent the biggest barrier to delivering a seamless omnichannel experience to our customers . They work in an overnight batch mode , do not integrate well with online systems and are difficult to share data . Our first priority is to put forward a roadmap to modernize the foundation rapidly .
Can you explain the importance of bridging your in-house retail application with your Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) and ordering systems ?
Having a real-time integration between our customer systems ( store POS and eCommerce sites ) to
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