Data & Integration in Action: stichd's Secret Weapon
By integrating data streams, stichd has improved the quality of its data and laid a solid foundation for better decisions.
Data is the engine of every modern company; the right fuel makes the difference. By integrating its many data streams, stichd has improved the quality of its data and laid a solid foundation for better-informed decisions. How does this data-driven approach help them stand out?
stichd faced complex issues in data processing and integration. From webshops and logistics processes to ERP and CRM: data came from all directions. But how do you decouple data, make it accessible, manageable, and valuable?
The lack of integration was a bottleneck; valuable information was stuck in different systems, and linking it took too much time. Together with HSO, the Azure Data & Integration Platform from Microsoft was implemented. Now, stichd utilizes the full potential of its data.
About stichd
As part of the PUMA Group, stichd has developed into an international specialist for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Manchester City, Formula 1, and LEVI'S over the past few years. For specialized products such as legwear, swimwear, and fanwear, stichd fully relieves its partners in terms of product design, marketing, sales, order processing, and distribution.
Real-time Sales Data
The result? stichd can now serve its customers in a tailored manner and stand out in a competitive market. Daan Damhuis, Team Lead Analytics & Reporting at stichd, shares an example: "Manchester City made an ambitious request: they wanted real-time insight into sales data from various sources. For such a request, it is necessary that different data sources are seamlessly connected, such as sales figures from webshops, physical stores, warehouses, SAP, and cash register systems. Thanks to our integrated data streams, this is now possible."
Without a data warehouse that brings the information streams together, it is difficult to distill valuable insights. By analyzing and comparing data, patterns in fan purchasing behavior can now be recognized. Daan continues: "Now we can, for example, see what the sales figures are on a match day or after a victory – or just after a defeat. This information is invaluable for a club like Manchester City."
Utilizing New Sales Channels
Not only does data analysis yield a lot for stichd's customers. Because things like inventory management, trend data, and pricing are easily accessible, the company from 's-Hertogenbosch can respond more quickly to opportunities via marketplaces, social media, and other platforms.
Maarten van Looij, Product Owner Integration Solutions at stichd, explains: "We had a lot of data, but we couldn't access it quickly. Managing and setting up new sales channels was quite a challenge. Now we can implement new sales platforms without significant impact on our existing processes. This allows us to respond more quickly to market trends and realize growth."
Optimizing Inventory Management
Effective inventory management in retail is crucial and offers numerous benefits, such as higher customer satisfaction, lower costs, and a constant cash flow. Take, for example, a Formula 1 race. Daan illustrates: "We can now see in real-time which products sell best during a race and when the stock is about to run out, or when too much of a product has been purchased. This adds significant value for the customer. Previously, it took us days to link and analyze sales data; now it happens within a few clicks."
The power of data & integration is also clearly visible in stichd's distribution centers. Maarten says: "We can now better predict when products need to be replenished, preventing certain items from selling out too quickly – or staying in stock for too long. It is essential to know how our inventory moves. Thanks to this data, we can better see where the bottlenecks are."
He also notes positive changes for other departments: "Bringing data sources together ensures that departments such as marketing, sales, and purchasing can work with the same data."
Sharing Knowledge and Collaborating
This would not have been possible without the underlying power of the Azure Data & Integration Platform, which was established after a long collaboration with HSO. Maarten looks back: "We have been working together for a long time; we even set up our Modern Workplace together. Important for us is HSO's Microsoft expertise. Our strategy is Microsoft first: we first look at how far Microsoft's solutions go, and only then do we look further. HSO also helps with that."
The collaboration with HSO goes beyond just technology. "HSO understands our needs and adapts their working methods accordingly," says Maarten. "HSO employees support us daily and help with the technical side; they are really an addition to the members of our own team. We really work together."
Maarten looks to the future with confidence and many plans. "We want to focus on AI. We know that AI needs clean data for value-adding applications. The foundation is now in place, and we want to further utilize it through several interesting AI use cases."