02/11/11
By Karen Moss
Paperchase have handed responsibility for the managed service of its entire standalone store estate to retail systems specialists PMC. The service consists of hosting and management of Paperchase’s central store system, till software support, hardware maintenance and new store installations.
According to Karen Selway, CIO of Paperchase, the only way to ensure the success of such a potentially high risk strategy is : “To implement a ‘military style’ project plan and work with a partner that understands your business and all the risks involved."
Selway explains: “Our contract with a long-standing partner was up for renewal and as part of our internal due diligence process we went out to tender. We received a cost-compelling response from PMC. However, that wasn’t the only criteria. We were looking for a partner with proven experience in the store systems arena and a strong working relationship with Retail J software solution provider, Torex.”
It took six weeks of planning and testing to move the service to PMC, which included physically moving Paperchase’s central EPoS infrastructure to PMC in Abingdon. PMC also provides the Paperchase Help Desk through their partner Cyntergy, to provide first-line support for all Paperchase stores.
Paperchase design-led stationery, cards and gift-wrap, has 80 outlets in the UK, an online store launched in September 2010 and an ongoing store opening programme scheduled for 2012/13.
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