Nov 30th 2006, Axida, a specialist in multi-channel fulfilment software, has won a major contract from Wickes for a software package designed to manage its home deliveries in the UK.

The six-figure contract was awarded to Axida following a rigorous selection procedure where potential suppliers were evaluated against a number of criteria. “Functionality was top of the list but we also considered value for money, the individual suppliers cultural fit both with Wickes and in the industry overall and lastly the whole issue of integration,” comments Paul Westgarth, director of customer service for Wickes.

The Axida’s HDi system will go live mid-next year replacing an in-house developed system and be integrated with front-end software from Pivotal. It will give full visibility and control of home deliveries from the initial data capture through to final order fulfilment with the aims of improving customer service standards and delivering operational efficiencies. This followed a detailed examination of the project’s return on investment.

“Wickes has one of the strongest reputations for customer care in this sector so we’re delighted to be given the opportunity to work with them. It shows that improving customer service and driving business efficiencies aren’t mutually exclusive,” adds Wayne Holgate, Axida’s commercial director.

“Our goal is to make realising our customers’ dream kitchen, bathroom or conservatory as simple and painless as possible for each customer and, through the use of integrated state of the art systems technology, as efficient as possible for Wickes. That way we all benefit. The Axida software is the glue to bind the processes together. Working with Axida and our other key suppliers, in an integrated fashion we hope to define best practice for home delivery across the UK” concludes Westgarth.

About Wickes

Wickes stores are designed to appeal to serious DIY customers, who carry out more complex projects, and tradesmen, who undertake general repairs, maintenance and improvement projects for households. These customers are more demanding in terms of service, quality and price. Wickes now has a portfolio of 169 standard and eight Extra stores, with a total net selling space of approximately 5.8 million square feet.

About Axida

Axida, a leading provider of home delivery solutions, was formed in 1995 by founders Len Robinson and Wayne Holgate. Its mission is to improve the home delivery experience for retailers and consumers. Axida software underpins deliveries for a number of the UK’s leading companies, including CEVA Logistics (formerly TNT Logistics), Habitat, Laura Ashley and IKEA.

Axida is a founder sponsor of the Delivery Trust scheme for Internet shopping recently launched by IMRG, the e-retail industry body. The Scheme includes an ‘Internet delivery is safe' Trust Mark and an associated IMRG Delivery Charter.

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