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Microsoft
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Market/Performance Review
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Client manufactures a range of business and consumer
software products for sale across Europe. Distribution and product sales were controlled by a series of third party
operators. The business had grown dramatically in recent years, in terms of
both product range (market variant) and volumes. Feedback from the marketplace
indicated that there may be scope to improve packaging performance. However,
actual physical packaging needs and performance throughout the distribution
network were not understood.
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microsoft.com
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Who Needs An Introduction
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Microsoft are the worlds largest software developer.
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Business Challenge
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Deciphering The Distribution Network!
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This project was undertaken in 1996. At that time the European software distribution market was still evolving and reliant upon 3rd party distributors. The speed at which the market was growing and the ever increasing demand for product meant that even Microsoft were not fully aware of the exact routes to market, consumer requirements and retail opportunities. James Ross Consulting were asked to decipher the distribution network, specifically to identify delays, packaging needs, damage and opportunties to improve the 'speed to market'.
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How JRC Helped
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European Survey
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James Ross Consulting carried out a detailed survey
across the European marketplace. The survey assessed actual physical,
regulatory and environmental requirements for the clients packaging within the
distribution and retail network, in each market. This involved analysis of: Manufacturing Process,
Distribution to freight forwarder, break-bulk / order consolidation (order size analysis,
picking, packing), Receipt and shipment from 3rd party Distributor, Receipts and use in store (across a range of independents,
store groups and markets), Damage / Returns analysis, Competitor activity, Anticipated requirements across the supply chain
(specifically DPP, bar code usage for primary and secondary product,
environmental regulation and anti-theft / security).
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Value Delivered
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Increased Volume Throughput
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The survey identified clear scope for short term
improvements in packaging function. These included consolidation of shipping
methods, damage / returns reduction and recommendations on common pack
structures across all markets. In addition, the survey also highlighted significant
opportunities for increased volume throughput and sales from a re-structuring
of existing formats.
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Contact Us
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To enquire about applying our services to your business send us an e-mail
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We have offices in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Locate our office addresses here
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