Going to Market

When Gordmans Stores Inc., the Omaha, Nebraska-based chain of 95 Midwestern discount stores, decided to expand into underserved markets in the central U.S., the retailer discovered its legacy IT systems would not adequately support its planned growth. Outmoded applications across a range of functions in the enterprise created such problems as the setting of a double-digit limit for location numbering. This limitation meant that Gordmans could not add stores or distribution centers in its system past a double-digit amount.



An Enterprising Approach



To help overcome these and other challenges, Gordmans enlisted IT consulting firm OLR, an Oracle Gold implementation partner, to reduce the risk and complexity involved in replacing its legacy IT systems. OLR helped Gordmans select and implement the Oracle Retail Merchandise Operations Management platform, including the Oracle Retail Merchandising System, Oracle Retail Sales Audit, Oracle Retail Price Management and Oracle Retail Trade Management. Gordmans also leveraged the Oracle Retail Integration Bus and UC4 Application Manager, in conjunction with a JBoss middleware platform, in the implementation process.



“Gordmans’ legacy, mainframe-based merchandising system had an inherent design that precluded it from supporting more than 75 locations,” said Richard Heyman, senior VP and CIO of Gordmans.



The immediate benefit Gordmans gained from implementing the Oracle suite was the ability to grow, according to Heyman.



“Gordmans currently operates 98 stores and two distribution centers,” he explained. “Early next year, we will exceed 100 stores and enable an e-commerce channel. The implementation of the Oracle platform has enabled this growth.



As a result, Gordmans has achieved much stronger and more comprehensive enter prise management of its inventory, pricing, retail financials, warehouse receiving and sales auditing processes. The Oracle Retail platform has also been implemented in a scalable configuration to support continuing growth.



Since the project’s ‘go-live’ date, Gordmans has experienced tremendous growth, and the store base has expanded by almost 40% in three years.



As a strategic partner, OLR continues to provide Gordmans with day-to-day Oracle Retail platform support and resources. This has enabled the retailer to focus on key strategic initiatives to drive the business forward.