The Challenge
As a nationwide supplier of computer consumables, Firscall required to expand into e-commerce and optimize its growth in terms of increased sales and improved customer relations. A smoothly functioning Website with excellent e-commerce facilities was, therefore, an integral part of the company’s marketing strategy. While online sales were expected to boost total turnover, increasing internal efficiency and providing superior customer services were other major focus areas of the project. As a result, Olive faced the task of designing and developing a suite of totally customized e-commerce applications.

In order to gain maximum benefits for the company and its growing customer base, our experts decided on a two-tier e-commerce solution. While one section would provide current/new/prospective customers with up-to-date product information, updated price list and other relevant details, a secure section was planned for effective customer relationship management.

Olive Solutions
Since virtual store fronts and a communication-based purchasing experience are essential for optimized e-business, Olive has made provisions for a full-featured product catalogue. The “Product Manager” – a do-it-yourself administration and maintenance mechanism – allows the site admin to add, update, modify and delete product information and relevant links in real time. More importantly, a “bespoke catalogue” with competitively customised pricing structures is created for each “bespoke” account holder of Firscall.

An application is developed to manage the “special offers” featured on the site, while a “Client Manager” is created to update/modify/delete client information and prepare client lists. A fully functional order-processing method and a host of customer service facilities make it a complete and comprehensive e-commerce system.

The company’s Website has been integrated with Sage Line, a software programme internally used at Firscall for business data management. Once the data is updated at Firscall’s internal office system, the Website gets updated as well, making site management and maintenance completely hassle-free.

Olive focused on effective CRM solutions and a user-friendly customer interface. Once registered, customers of Firscall are provided with a 24/7 business tool that helps them manage their orders smoothly and efficiently. Online buyers can place orders; make payment (through credit/debit card or on account); monitor previous deals; check current order status; cancel orders and return goods. They can also generate queries (technical, account, sales or delivery-related) and receive price change alerts.

The entire system runs in conjunction with the internal accounts software to produce seamless Web sales structure.

Conclusion
Olive solutions proved to be a massive success, helping our client to realize its growth potentials to the fullest. In a word, the successful integration of e-commerce tools with the marketing strategy and retail technology of Firscall has expanded the customer base, boosted sales, developed meaningful customer relationship and enhanced the company’s overall business efficiency.