Modernizing Sales Reporting - Implementing an Advanced Reporting

System for a Leading Home Service Company

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Location: Philadelphia

Introduction

One of the leading home service companies in the US, boasting over 120 years of industry experience and managing a vast network of over 500 customer locations, sought to revolutionize its inventory management. The company’s extensive operations included a fleet of 250 technicians’ trucks and 80 stock rooms across the country. Partnering with Ignatiuz Inc., they aimed to sought to enhance its sales and commission management. The company’s operations involved complex pricing, order tracking, and commission processes. Partnering with Ignatiuz Inc., the objective was to centralize and streamline these processes through an advanced reporting system. The solution aimed to integrate various data sources into a unified reporting platform, improving efficiency and accuracy in sales operations.

Problem Statement:

The client faced significant challenges in managing pricing, order tracking, and commission processes across their extensive network. Key issues included:

  • Managing discounts and list prices for various items/SKUs.
  • Tracking and monitoring the status of placed orders.
  • Handling monthly commissions for rep agencies.
  • Extracting and consolidating data from multiple sources, including Dynamics AX 2009, SAP Hybris, SQL servers, and Excel sheets.
These challenges resulted in a time-consuming, error-prone process, leading to delays and inaccuracies in communication with rep agencies.

Solution

Ignatiuz Inc. developed a comprehensive solution to centralize and streamline data management and reporting processes. The key components of the project included:
  • ETL Process: Implemented an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process to integrate data from Dynamics AX 2009, SAP Hybris, SQL servers, and Excel sheets into a centralized reporting system.
  • Power BI Reports: Created various Power BI reports to deliver real-time insights to rep agencies.
  • SharePoint Integration: Developed a SharePoint site to host Power BI reports, with secure access managed through Azure authentication and SharePoint list management.
  • User Permissions: Established robust permission controls to ensure that rep agencies accessed only relevant data.

Solution Summary

The solution integrated disparate data sources into a cohesive reporting system, providing several key benefits:
  • Centralized Reporting: Consolidated all relevant data into a single platform, eliminating manual data extraction and sharing.
  • Real-Time Insights: Enabled rep agencies to access real-time data on distributors, pricing, commissions, order status, stock availability, and shipment details.
  • Secure Access: Utilized Azure for authentication and SharePoint for managing rep agency groups, ensuring secure and appropriate data access.
  • Detailed Reports: Developed a range of Power BI reports tailored to rep agencies’ needs:
  • List of Distributors Report: Provided a tailored list of distributors based on rep agency credentials.
  • List Price Report: Displayed item/SKU prices based on discount groups for quick access to pricing information.
  • Monthly Commission Report: Summarized commissions earned monthly, aiding agencies in tracking and reconciling earnings.
  • Order Status Report: Offered detailed information on orders, including quantity, delivery date, and total price
  • Order Tracking Report: Assisted in tracking orders with carrier ID, order status, and shipment tracking information.
  • Stock Status Report: Showed current stock levels and discontinued items for effective order planning.
  • Shipment Report: Provided details on primary shipping addresses to support logistics planning.

Challenges

The project faced several challenges:

  • Data Integration: Integrating data from multiple sources, including legacy systems like Dynamics AX 2009, required a complex ETL process.
  • Permission Management: Ensuring secure and appropriate access for different rep agencies while maintaining data integrity was crucial.
  • User Adoption: Transitioning rep agencies from traditional data-sharing methods to the new SharePoint-based system required extensive training and support.

Benefits

The implemented solution delivered several key benefits:

  • Increased Efficiency: Automated data extraction and reporting processes, significantly reducing report generation and sharing time.
  • Improved Accuracy: Reduced manual data handling, minimizing errors and ensuring accurate, timely information.
  • Enhanced Transparency: Provided rep agencies with real-time data, enabling informed decision-making and better management of sales processes.
  • Scalability: The SharePoint-based system supported easy scalability, accommodating future growth and additional reporting needs.

Conclusion

The collaboration between the home service company and Ignatiuz Inc. resulted in a transformative solution that streamlined the company’s sales and commission management processes. By centralizing data, automating reporting, and providing secure access through SharePoint, the company enhanced operational efficiency, reduced errors, and equipped rep agencies with essential tools for success. This case study demonstrates the impact of leveraging modern technology to address complex business challenges and drive organizational growth.