Footasylum takes technology leap with K3 Retail to support expansion

Fashion retailer needs technology in place that will enable long-term success and support future growth

Footasylum, a fast-growing chain of high-end casual footwear and apparel retail stores, has migrated its current IT infrastructure to a new virtualised server solution, managed and supplied by K3 Retail, the UK’s largest provider of Microsoft Dynamics, in order to support its ambitious long term expansion plans.

Founded in 2005 by David Makin, the co-founder of JD Sports Fashion Plc, and now trading with 23 high street stores, Footasylum aims to move beyond the traditional experience of the high street, to offer a more unique retail experience using technology that will enhance the performance of its stores.

The new server solution from K3 Retail allows faster reporting from stores, whilst branches are also able to send stock replenishment reports directly to the warehouse. This has given the business confidence that the system in place is more resilient.

Nigel Owen, IT Manager at Footasylum, said, “We had outgrown our previous system and decided that it was time to review our entire IT infrastructure.  We selected K3 Retail due to their extensive retail knowledge and migrated to a more flexible infrastructure solution.  The business required technology that would enable long-term success and support us with our future expansion plans.  With this in mind we required a platform for a full off-site disaster recovery solution which will increase flexibility in meeting all of our business demands.”

Owen continued, “The transition from our old system to the new system has been seamless.  Since implementing the new virtualised server solution this has dramatically reduced IT management requirements and increased capacity and flexibility by running multiple applications and operating systems independently on a single server.”

John Little, Sales Director at K3, said, “We are pleased to be working on such an exciting project with an ambitious retailer like Footasylum.  The benefits to IT and business professionals include faster levels of service, freeing up critical resources to take on bigger business challenges, reducing costs and ultimately achieving competitive advantage through business agility.”

Little continued, “Reducing single points of hardware and software failure have improved availability to all business areas and allows us to concentrate on delivering high availability solutions to the business.”

About Footasylum
Footasylum operates a group of retail stores specialising in branded casual footwear and apparel with 23 UK outlets. Recent additions to the group include stores in the Westfield Shopping Centre, London and the Bullring, Birmingham.

The company was founded in 2005 by David Makin who was the co-founder of JD Sports Fashion Plc (JD Sports) and now carries his passion for Branded casual footwear and apparel into this new and exciting enterprise. 
www.footasylum.com  

About K3 Retail
K3 Retail deliver multi channel solutions that enables retailers to create joined up shopping experiences for their customers whether they choose to buy on-line, direct or in-store.

 
18 years experience delivering award winning solutions, to more than 100 internationally recognised retail brands, has helped our experienced team of retail consultants develop the most complete range of multi channel retail solutions available to Microsoft Dynamics AX or NAV users. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, member of Microsoft’s Partner Advisory Council for Retail, invited member of Microsoft’s Inner Circle and Presidents Club, we offer a clearly defined roadmap and proven products backed up by Microsoft’s $2billion investment in the Dynamics platform.
 
Our ability to translate thought leadership and multi channel experience into innovation and effective retail solutions has benefited customers including: Agent Provocateur, American Golf, Beales Department Stores, Booths Supermarkets, Carpetright, Clinton Cards, Dobbies Garden Centres, Dreams, Gamestation, GameStop, Give, Jigsaw, Kiddicare, Ryman’s, Smyths Toys, SpaceNK, and The White Company..
www.theretailpeople.com

Laura Grocott
PR Contact
Fieldworks
Tel: 01435 873080
laura@fieldworksmarketing.co.uk
www.fieldworksmarketing.co.uk