Purecomm Retail Software: Helping retailers provide a seamless online and instore experience

In today’s retail environment, eCommerce is key to survival. Though a move from in store to online purchasing is more convenient for the customer, successful eCommerce demands a strong back end process and back door support by the retailer, both in terms of technology and maintenance. All while still investing in new stock and offering mark downs on older items. Charlie Bodycote, founder of Purecomm, understands the issues that face the retail industry, and in 2013 introduced Purecomm Retail Software. His company provides in-store technology to allow simple and robust workflows. The software uses sophisticated behind-the-scenes algorithms, and a robust API, to add ‘click-and-collect’ and ‘ship from store’ functionality to an existing eCommerce infrastructure. It also manages in-store orders with the ‘endless aisle’ feature, to search stock across multiple locations.

Purecomm’s SaaS platform has already been adopted by big name brands, such as Stuart Weitzman, Vivienne Westwood, UGG Australia, Forever New, and Burts Bees. The software connects an eCommerce website to the retailer’s network of stores, extending the range of products available, allowing for faster fulfilment and offering customers the convenience of in-store pickup. “At the core of Purecomm is a piece of technology that links the online eCommerce store with the physical stores, so if the online store is out of stock, the technology can quickly locate the item in a physical store and get it shipped, ”Bodycote reiterates.

Purecomm also hosts full service eCommerce projects for pedderred.com, stuartweitzman.cn and vivinnewestwood.hk.

The cataloguing of products for online purchase, finding convenient delivery options for customers and the rendering tools for placing online orders, are the services that really allow companies to grow their revenue. Purecomm’s software provides this, and enables brands to launch eCommerce using their existing in-store inventory. The flagship platform features a simple store workflow, service level management, inventory accuracy, exception handling and route optimisation. It provides an accurate view of inventory data to estimate of the number of items already in a shopper’s basket (either online or in-store), which can be augmented by using RFID.

The software uses sophisticated behind-the-scenes algorithms, and a robust API, to add ‘click-and-collect’ and ‘ship from store’ functionality to an existing eCommerce infrastructure

The iPad app and label printing facilities empower retailers with the flexibility of an intuitive ticketing system for pick, pack and dispatch. In the case of a picking fail, the platform splits the order and escalates it to the customer, or picks the missing items from a nearby store. The in-house platform intelligently locates the nearest store to minimise the cost and time required for dispatch. To reduce the risk of overlapping in store sales with online orders, the system provides inventory changes to the website, as well orders to the store, in real-time.

The service level management facility of the platform manages the queues for express orders. It provides SMS notifications for overdue actions and generates weekly KPI reports on deliveries. “We thrive on our brand values which are: simple, reliable and understanding,” adds Bodycote. Purecomm has expanded its reach to Greater China, Australia and New Zealand, ensuring better customer experience and generating new revenue stream for its clients.