OK PLUS WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY
OK Plus invests in new technology for stores
Despite Corona, OK Plus is busy at the convenience chain’s stores. In order to provide optimal customer service, it is necessary to have reliable and efficient stores. Through a collaboration with IT company Delfi Technologies, OK Plus has future-proofed the stores with the right combination of technology.
OK Plus is a nationwide chain of convenience stores, all of which are located in connection with an OK gas station. Here it is possible to fill up – whether it’s for fuel or something delicious to eat. Today, the chain consists of 69 stores and more are on the way. The OK Plus chain office supports the stores with supplier negotiations, marketing, store design and IT, among other things.
Both in terms of store design and IT, a lot is happening at OK Plus. Several of the chain’s stores are being modernized and on the IT side, all stores have a new and future-proof store solution for ordering goods, status counting and other important store tasks.
The store solution consists of handheld terminals and software – a solution Delfi Technologies has delivered through a collaboration initiated through Reitan Convenience Danmark, which is a distributor and partner of OK Plus. OK Plus was looking for new ordering terminals and looked to Reitan for inspiration. Delfi Technologies was already a supplier and therefore OK Plus chose to look the same way.
Klaus Bølle has been with OK Plus, and before that with the former DK Benzin, for a total of more than 27 years. Before that, he was at FDB (Coop today). Klaus Bølle started his journey at OK Plus as manager of a test store with a focus on modern operations. In this connection, he often asked a lot of IT-related questions, which is why he was later offered the opportunity to handle the chain’s overall IT operations. Over the years, Klaus Bølle has worked in various parts of the chain, including a period as District Manager at DK Benzin. With this background, he now knows what the stores need.
"In recent years, there has been a massive technological development. We need to stay ahead of the curve to ensure modern store operations. The collaboration with Delfi Technologies has given us a reliable and future-proof store solution."
EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE STORES ARE PARAMOUNT
Although 2020 has largely been about Corona and readiness for change, OK Plus has generally experienced a high level of activity throughout the country. According to Klaus Bølle, part of the busyness can be attributed to the extra part of the population that has stayed at home for a longer period of time and has therefore also visited one of the stores more often, e.g. in connection with parcel collection.
– People still need food and they still need to pick up their parcels. We’ve seen an increase in the flow of customers picking up parcels in particular,” he says and continues:
– Fortunately, we can say that we are on target in terms of store turnover. The general busyness also requires our stores to be both efficient and reliable so that we can perform to the maximum while delivering good customer service. Basically, it’s a crucial factor for us to achieve our goals.
CAN ACT QUICKLY AND TAKE ACTION
As it is important for OK Plus to be able to run the stores as efficiently as possible, the path from decision to execution of new initiatives must also be short.
With the new handheld terminal solution, stores can handle important store tasks on a daily basis. In addition, the solution also allows new functionality to be added on an ongoing basis as needed, for example, if OK Plus wants to use the mobile devices to register new processes in the stores.
The solution consists of mobile handheld terminals (model: Delfi PM66) with associated software. The program is specially developed for Reitan Convenience Denmark with a number of adjustments for OK Plus, so the solution is adapted to the daily operations in the stores.
A mobile remote control tool(SOTI MobiControl) also makes it possible to use Mobile Device Management (MDM) to roll out new updates and do any troubleshooting – without having the handheld terminals in hand. This saves a lot of time and administration,” explains Klaus Bølle:
– The solution makes it possible to act quickly and take action in necessary areas. Both in terms of new software updates and support for the stores. In this way, we can roll out new devices and solve tasks much faster,” he explains.
NEW FUTURE-PROOF PLATFORM
Most recently, OK Plus has upgraded to a new future-proof and Android-based software platform. According to Klaus Bølle, this is a reliable solution that ensures maximum performance in the stores when it comes to printing new shelf labels, ordering goods, status counting and product lookups.
– The Android solution is the future for us. Employees can perform all the important tasks with the digital barcode solution and it helps ensure optimal store operations,” he says.
In connection with the switch from Windows to Android, OK Plus was also looking for new handheld terminals for the stores. Klaus Bølle initially looked at a touch-based device, as most people are familiar with this user interface from their cell phones today. But after listening to what users wanted, the choice fell on a handheld terminal with a keyboard instead.
– The users have spoken and they simply wanted a handheld terminal with physical buttons, so they got it, says Klaus Bølle.
USER-FRIENDLY AND HIGHLY INTUITIVE EXPERIENCE
OK Plus created a manual for the stores in connection with the launch of the new solution. But it wasn’t necessary because the manual is not used on a daily basis.
– The solution is easy to use and anyone can figure it out, so there is simply no need for a manual. The usability is top notch and it’s a very intuitive experience throughout. This also means that even the older generation can participate, which is of course a clear advantage,” says Klaus and continues:
– With the handheld terminals, we ensure correct registrations in every process – it saves time and minimizes the number of errors,” Klaus Bølle concludes.
OK Plus uses the barcode solution for the following tasks:
Order / print shelf labels
By scanning the item, you can automatically start printing new shelf labels.
Product ordering
The store can order goods directly from Reitan, who will pack and ship the goods. It is also possible to make reorders. With this feature, staff can save time and administration by looking at the history of an item, editing the template and placing a new order.
Status count
With automatic integration to the in-store system (Viking), OK Plus can perform counts by scanning the items and entering the quantity. As the process is quick and simple, it is also possible to do continuous counts – e.g. in areas with shrinkage. Subsequently, location lists can be printed to check for any differences. Stores also have the option to call in counting teams who bring their own equipment and can perform a complete inventory count.
Goods storage
It is also possible to use the handheld terminal to make specific product lookups at the chain office.
ABOUT OK PLUS
OK Plus is a nationwide chain of convenience stores, all of which are located in connection with an OK gas station. Today, the chain consists of 69 stores and more are on the way. The range of products in the stores is constantly evolving and includes refreshing drinks, tasty sandwiches, steaming hot organic coffee or fresh bread and cakes. In addition, OK Plus offers parcel drop-off or pick-up, trailer rental, pharmacy goods, reading material or gift cards and talk time.
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