Smeg selects Maginus distribution solution to streamline sales order complexity

• Leading manufacturer of domestic kitchen appliances deploys Maginus technology to help integrate its sales and outsourced logistics operations

Maginus, the specialist provider of multi-channel solutions for Retail and Distribution, has announced a major order from Smeg - the leading manufacturer of domestic kitchen appliances that combine technology with style. Maginus will provide Smeg UK with a powerful distribution support system that will help the company reduce its administrative overheads by integrating its sales function and its outsourced logistics operation, and also gain sales and marketing operational efficiencies.

Smeg will take advantage of innovative Maginus 6xa technology, including a powerful new Configuration Wizard capability that will significantly streamline the management of Smeg product packs. Smeg employees and sales partners will now benefit from a configuration solution that simplifies the complex process of configuring kitchen sales product packs - which typically include a hob, oven, extractor, splash back and dishwasher - for specialist customers such as house-builders, kitchen studios, distributors and department stores.

Maginus 6xa’s Configuration Wizard means that Smeg sales staff will now have the flexibility to easily change products within standard sales packages. Thanks to the flexibility of the Maginus 6xa architecture, customisations can be developed quickly and cost-effectively without impacting Smeg’s core distribution solution or detracting from its standard upgrade path. The Maginus supply chain solution frees distributor operations to focus on the strategic aspects of product management, while consolidating supply chain partners, minimising inventory and helping to maximise margins.

“With Maginus we will be able to reduce our administrative overheads by tightly integrating our sales function with the company’s outsourced logistics operation,” commented Simon Jarvis, Smeg UK’s IT Manager. “We will also be using Maginus to integrate the UK operation with Smeg’s Italian manufacturing plant, giving us clear online visibility of our stock holdings. This will ensure that we can offer more accurate delivery promises, while also offering faster and more efficient loading of new and updated product information.

“We chose Maginus because its clear focus on the wholesale distribution market ensured a close fit to our requirements,” he added. “Maginus will allow us to improve overall efficiency in our business, and this will translate into direct cost savings. This, in addition to the solution’s innovative and flexible design, will help Smeg UK to exploit further new opportunities in the future.”

About Smeg UK:
Smeg is a leading manufacturer of domestic kitchen appliances that combine technology with style. The company offers a wide range of products from dishwashers to retro refrigeration and range cookers. Smeg’s combination of ‘state of the art’ technology and striking aesthetics help position the company as an iconic Italian brand. Smeg UK has a £50 million turnover, with sales, accounts and customer service handled from its Head Office in Abingdon, and warehousing & logistics managed by an outsourced business partner.  

About Maginus:
Maginus solutions enable retail and distribution companies to drive revenue and increase customer satisfaction by providing comprehensive control over multi-channel selling and fulfillment. The company’s integrated suite of powerful CRM, Financials and Supply Chain software helps organisations to market, sell and deliver the products their customers want via a broad range of channels including catalogue and mail order, telesales, the Web, trade counter and store operations. Originally founded in 1972, Originally founded in 1972, Maginus brings over 30 years’ of in-depth customer experience to the retail and distribution sector whilst it’s innovative eXtensible Architecture gives a flexible, customisable technology platform that can adapt to meet changing business requirements. Find out more about the company at www.maginus.com

For more information, please contact:
Janice Mawhinney
Maginus Software Solutions
Tel: 0161 946 3816
janice.mawhinney@maginus.com

Cheryl Billson
IBA - PR for Maginus
Tel: 01780 721433
cbillson@iba-europe.com