Smart Retail with AS400 Modernization & Integration
Project Overview
A leading apparel retailer—home to several iconic teen fashion brands—has relied on United Techno for over 15 years to manage and evolve its core AS400-based retail ERP systems. What began as a partnership supporting a single brand with 2,000+ retail stores has matured into a critical, long-standing engagement covering multiple consolidated brands across retail and wholesale operations. United Techno has been instrumental in enabling operational continuity, system integrations, and retail process modernization without large-scale ERP replacement.
Business Challenge
Retailers, especially those managing legacy ERP systems, face a multitude of challenges:
- Legacy Infrastructure: Key brands operated on aging AS400 systems, powering core retail functions like PLM, Assortment Planning, Allocation, Merchandising, Sales, and Warehouse Management.
- Volatility in Retail: The customer navigated financial hardships, including a bankruptcy and major organizational restructuring.
- Brand Consolidation: Post-bankruptcy, the retailer expanded by acquiring and integrating multiple brands with disparate systems.
- Operational Silos: Merging warehouse operations, sales channels, and data pipelines required advanced integration.
- Cost Pressures: The company needed to avoid expensive ERP replacements while still enabling efficiency and scale.
Solution Approach
United Techno became a long-term strategic partner through its deep knowledge of retail operations and expertise in Smart Retail with AS400 Modernization.
1. AS400 System Management: Took full ownership of the retailer’s AS400 environment, supporting end-to-end retail functions.
2. Support Through Adversity: Remained engaged through the customer’s financial downturn, continuing to deliver managed services.
3. Brand Consolidation & Scaling: Supported two major brands post-acquisition, integrating multiple business processes.
4. Custom Development: Implemented a custom Assortment Planning system with automated PO creation.
5. System Integration & Upgrades:
- Integrated with Blue Yonder for global allocation.
- Integrated FlexPLM for product master data.
- Supported Island Pacific and HighJump system upgrades.
- Built B2B integration using Cleo, SPS Commerce, Boomi, and IBM MQ.
Technologies & Platforms
- AS400 / RPG / COBOL.
- Custom Assortment Planning System.
- FlexPLM, Blue Yonder, Island Pacific, HighJump.
- EDI Integrations (Cleo, SPS Commerce).
- Boomi, IBM MQ.
- Retail & Wholesale Operations Support.
Business Impact & Outcomes
- Operational Resilience: Seamlessly supported all core business processes through and beyond bankruptcy.
- Cost Avoidance: Avoided a large ERP migration effort through optimization and modernization.
- Scalability: Enabled brand consolidation and warehouse alignment.
- Automation & Efficiency: Delivered productivity improvements via custom tools.
- Data & Integration Consistency: Improved reliability through structured middleware integrations.
Services Provided
- AS400 Retail ERP Support & Maintenance.
- Assortment Planning System Development.
- Warehouse & Merchandising System Upgrades.
- PLM Integration (FlexPLM).
- Global Allocation Integration (Blue Yonder).
- EDI Integration with Cleo, SPS Commerce.
- System Integration via Boomi & IBM MQ.
Value Delivered
- 15+ Years of Trusted Partnership.
- Excellence in Managed Services.
- Continuity During Financial Restructuring.
- Modernized Retail Execution without High Costs.
- Domain Expertise Driving Process Innovation.
Why United Techno is the Right Partner for Smart Retail with AS400 Modernization
- Deep Retail Domain Knowledge.
- Legacy System Mastery.
- Resilience & Long-Term Commitment.
- Seamless Integration Abilities.
- Tailored Development for Operational Needs.
