Upmarket retailer consolidates databases to integrate e-commerce

Liberty wants to streamline online and instore sales

Department store Liberty of London will implement a multi-channel business system as part of an IT modernisation process.

The new centralised database is aimed at consolidating information flow and streamlining processes. It will be used by staff in all areas of the business, from buying and merchandising employees, to sales assistants on the shop floor and back-office workers.

“Critically, in using a single database product, we have centralised information systems and integrated business processes which enable us to operate far more efficiently,” said Liberty’s IT director Jonathan Samols.

The Prologic-supplied package also includes server hardware and new touch screen electronic electronic point-of-sale terminals for Liberty’s flagship store at Great Marlborough Street and the new Liberty of London shop in Sloane Street.

“The new system will provide us with much better reporting and stock management capabilities. New touch screen electronic point-of-sale terminals will also provide sales staff a far more intuitive user interface that will help to speed up transactions and reduce queries in store,” said Samols.

“And the XML interface technology developed in the database will enable us to achieve an improved level of ecommerce integration.”

Liberty will go live with the new system in September.