Overview

KNG is a leading supplier of restaurant supplies and personalized apparel in the restaurant product industry. They have experienced steady growth of 20% each year but had recently faced a new challenge that was crucial to solve if they wished to continue their company growth and success. KNG had outgrown their eCommerce software and their backend (ERP) system, both of which they needed to rapidly replace in order to continue their lead in the restaurant supply industry.First, they needed to implement a new commerce solution in less than six months. Once implemented, they needed to have their new eCommerce site integrated with their new backend system. The solution needed to be able to support complex custom embroidery and foil stamping requirements, along with being able to support existing account and contract pricing.

Reference Site

http://www.kng.com

Reference Image

Customer Background

KNG is a leading supplier of restaurant supplies and personalized apparel in the restaurant product industry.  They are located in Nampa, Idaho United States with a focus on the Restaurant Supplies industry.

Business Need

They have experienced steady growth of 20% each year but had recently faced a new challenge that was crucial to solve if they wished to continue their company growth and success. KNG had outgrown their eCommerce software and their backend (ERP) system, both of which they needed to rapidly replace in order to continue their lead in the restaurant supply industry.First, they needed to implement a new commerce solution in less than six months. Once implemented, they needed to have their new eCommerce site integrated with their new backend system. The solution needed to be able to support complex custom embroidery and foil stamping requirements, along with being able to support existing account and contract pricing.

In summary, the challenges were:

  • Implement a new commerce solution in less than six months
  • Integrate the new eCommerce site with the new SAP backend system
  • Support complex custom embroidery and foil stamping requirements
  • Support existing account and contract pricing

Business Solution

KNG selected the industry leading WebSphere Commerce software from IBM as their base eCommerce software and SAP's Apparel and Footwear Solution as their new ERP system. They turned to CrossView for the architecture and development expertise needed to implement the WebSphere Commerce solution.

KNG is using IBM WebSphere Commerce Accelerator technology to maintain catalog information and provide web friendly descriptions, images and catalog groupings. KNG also manages accounts and contracts using the Accelerator technology. They are enhancing their merchandising through extensive use of cross-sells and up-sells. KNG has implemented campaigns, promotions and eMarketing Spots on their new web site.

CrossView worked closely with KNG and their SAP implementation partner to document the detailed requirements for the new web site.

CrossView designed and developed a B2B/B2C hybrid implementation of IBM WebSphere Commerce 6.0. The application provides a sophisticated and easy to use interface that allows customers to purchase customized menu covers, aprons, server uniforms, chef uniforms and other restaurant supplies. The key store front enhancements allow customers to dynamically configure embroidery on apparel and foil-stamping on menu covers.

CrossView developed interfaces between IBM WebSphere Commerce and SAP based on the latest SOA standards. These interfaces allowed KNG to achieve a highly flexible and robust system for both order taking and order management. The ability to make custom embroidery orders online, and view order status/history through the web site decreases demands on customer service personnel.

Key Features

The new IBM WebSphere Commerce web site provides several exciting new features for KNG, including:

  • Coremetrics analytics that enable KNG to understand visitor behavior, enabling them to optimize merchandising decisions, product placement, promotional strategies, and increase customer acquisition;
  • SOA integration with SAP for order management and customer management;
  • Address verification services integration with Melissa Data DQWS to ensure reliable carrier service;
  • Scene7 integration for dynamic rendering of product images;
  • Custom pricing and discounting;
  • Contracts and member group pricing and discounts;
  • Custom payment processing;
  • Out-of-the-box WebSphere Commerce shipping and tax calculations;

Benefits of Solution

The new IBM WebSphere Commerce website enabled KNG's customers to place custom embroidery orders online as well as view their order status and history. This new capability in turn decreases the demands on customer service personnel, thus reducing the amount of money spent on personnel, increasing their ROI.

The IBM Websphere Commerce application provides KNG with a sophisticated and easy to use interface which improves the customer experience. This new interface allows their customers to purchase customized menu covers, aprons, server uniforms, chef uniforms and other restaurant supplies. The key store front enhancements allow customers to dynamically configure embroidery on apparel and foil stamping on menu covers.

The interfaces developed by CrossView between their eCommerce software and their backend system allowed KNG to achieve a highly flexible and robust system for both order taking and order management.