IBS in fashion with DIM SchweizCustomer Story Profitability never goes out of style. Swiss lingerie, stockings and underwear distributor DIM Schweiz needed a new look for its IT operations. They called on IBS for tailor-made software that streamlines operations within the fast-changing consumer products industry. In the global chain
Based at its headquarters in Zurich, DIM Schweiz is part of the French-based DIM Group, which markets France’s leading brand of women’s stockings and lingerie, as well as men’s underwear. Chicago-based Sara Lee Corporation acquired the French company in 1988.
Sara Lee Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. It has three global businesses: Food and Beverage, Intimates, and Underwear and Household Products. The company operates in 55 countries, employs 155,000 people and sells its products in almost 20 countries.
DIM Schweiz employs 38 people and sells its products to some 700 trade customers.
Adapting to markets
The trade customers of DIM Schweiz place around 60 orders per day. Women’s lingerie and stockings account for the major part of DIM Schweiz’ sales. Women’s intimate wear is governed by changing fashions and, with four completely new collections every year, the company soon realised that its supply chain was lacking visibility. As a fast-moving business, DIM Schweiz needed to find business software that could adapt to this climate and facilitate Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between the company’s major customers.
The problem was straightforward: the old system was too cumbersome and inflexible. There was a pressing need to find a more adaptable solution with more functionality. Forecasting order patterns was a major concern as unsold inventory was inflating stock figures. The new system needed to eliminate repetitive work, such as manual entry of items being shipped from the manufacturing site, which was causing an unacceptably high level of error.
Time is valuable for a fast-moving business like DIM Schweiz. The company has to fulfil complex orders with a wide variety of stock in the shortest possible time. Operations had to be streamlined from reception through warehousing and distribution, to billing and customer service.. DIM Schweiz needed to keep inventory levels and delivery times to a minimum. Moreover, it needed more powerful statistics and business analysis to help drive the company forward.
Automated, intelligent
After considering a number of potential suppliers, the company chose IBS’ integrated supply chain software suite. The EDI capability available with IBS software allows cost-effective electronic processing wherever possible. Processing of orders, right down to shipment and invoicing, is fully automated.
DIM Schweiz has found IBS Business Intelligence software to be extremely useful for everyday analysis of operational information, as well as for strategic boardroom decision-making. It is geared towards sales, logistics and financials with advanced profitability analysis on both customer and product level. The IBS software, which has won awards for state-of-the-art development, enables real-time information flow throughout the DIM Schweiz organisation.
IBS Switzerland has adapted the software and provided DIM Schweiz with the ability to import master files, including all the appropriate data regarding its annual collections that are introduced in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Once the new data has been imported, the old data is archived for statistical purposes.
Because collections are specifically created for one season only, IBS software has also been adapted to cope with the handling of products that are out of fashion.
Savings in fashion
With IBS software in place, DIM Schweiz manages its business more efficiently. Adaptability is no longer a problem and the company is ready to take on fresh challenges in this fast-moving industry.
The use of IBS software has enabled DIM Schweiz to achieve major productivity gains. Two of DIM Schweiz’ biggest customers now order their requirements electronically via EDI, resulting in more effective utilisation of staff as well as large-scale timesavings.
Items shipped from the manufacturer are no longer entered manually, which has not only eliminated errors but has also saved a great deal of time – and therefore money – giving the staff more opportunity to focus on customer service.
Due to the special modifications supplied by IBS Switzerland, DIM Schweiz’ forecasting and order patterns are much more precise, leading to a dramatic decrease in unsold stocks. The company also has better collaboration with suppliers due to the import of their latest collection details, which are transmitted seamlessly into IBS software. This has resulted in much better visibility for DIM Schweiz and its business partners across the entire supply chain.
DIM Schweiz is now able to move products and information in the most efficient way possible. In all of its operations, the reliability of IBS software has been spectacular and, as one would expect, is considered extremely fashionable within the DIM Schweiz business community.
IBS software has given DIM Schweiz the tools needed to face the future and gain substantial productivity improvements. Return on Investment (ROI) for the total project is expected within a maximum of two years.
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