Overview:
Tallard Technologies Inc. is a value-added distributor of telecommunications and computing products and services. The company had to maintain high levels of inventory to sustain service levels necessary to remain competitive,
and its staffing levels were excessive due to time-consuming order-handling, accounting, and other administrative processes. The company also faced increasing competition from online services and other direct technology supply sources.

Tallard knew that visibility would be most effective if it used emerging Internet-based services, particularly those that enabled its order-to-cash process and provided information about emerging demand conditions. The company considered many software vendors to address its requirements, and after careful review, selected mySAP All-in-One.

Tallard's strategic goals where to:

- Partner with vendors and resellers to build share in emerging markets, grow high-margin service business, and deliver complete solutions
- Provide superior logistics, financing, and support to secure position in multi-tier distribution system
- Reduce expenses and lower operating costs for channel partners
- Achieve operating flexibility to contend with shifting resource contributions from partners

Tallard's approach:

Tallard implemented Web-based order systems to improve service to its distribution channel, enhance visibility into demand, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency. More than 60% of the company's customers have established Web accounts. In some cases, the company established build-to-order processes by integrating its order services with the product configuration systems of technology suppliers, accelerating the delivery of complex system configurations. Tallard also established process improvements in its management of inventory, accounting, and warranty services. These improvements were enabled by mySAP All-in-One, and the implementation was supported by IDS Scheer SME.

Results:

- Reduced monthly average inventory by 44.8% to $1.6 million and increased inventory turns by 20%
- Lowered operating expenses by 15% and staffing costs by 10%, while increasing volume and profitability
- Improved days receivables outstanding by 28%, enabling a reduction of 48% in long-term debt
- Positioned the company to contribute to the growth of the high-end enterprise solutions market