DFS are the undisputed market leader in upholstered furniture retailing. To stay on top they are always looking at ways in which they can make their customer experience even better. Shortening delivery times was high on the list and when they met ExPD at a trade show, they realised that they were one step closer to realising that aim.

Before the new system was installed, goods would arrive from the factory and each item would be input into the system manually. In some cases, the sheer volume of orders could put undue pressure on the distribution process. Only once it was booked in, could an item then be manually matched to a customer order and then a telephone call made to the customer to arrange delivery.

Automating this booking-in procedure was DFS's key aim and they needed a supplier who was willing to work with them to develop a real-time integrated system. Using Cisco radio access points and Datalogic Viper terminals in the warehouse, ExPD provided a solution that reduced the booking-in process to seconds by eliminating time consuming manual processes.

The sofas now arrive at the stores, pre-barcoded. The operator scans the stock tickets using the Viper terminals, with the system automatically matching the bar code to the customer order. This then triggers a telephone call to the customer to book a delivery date within a few minutes. The system will also immediately flag if only a part delivery has been received which will activate a search for the missing item. As a result, DFS has achieved improved control over stock during transit and distribution operations.

ExPD has developed a solution that has resulted in DFS stores benefiting from increased speed of data collection, greater stock control, payback based on improved stocktaking and improved customer service. The system has also been designed to allow further development with the ability to integrate with shop floor processes in the future.

By implementing this system, DFS now aim to reduce delivery times to customers, cutting out needless delays and errors in manual processing.

Jon Massey, Chief Operating Officer of DFS said, "To help maintain our position as the UK market leader, speed and quality of service are absolutely essential. We are delighted with the new wireless system which has provided us with immediate increases in efficiency across our distribution process." He concluded, "We have had first class support from ExPD. They have worked closely with us throughout the project and helped ensure a smooth implementation."

DFS has 69 stores nationwide, 3 factories and 1 distribution warehouse.