Russell’s Convenience goes social to streamline operations

Challenge

With 25 stores spread across Colorado, Hawaii and California, Russell’s Convenience experienced difficulty keeping track of day-to-day concerns and operations. As a result, many issues went unresolved. Travel and postage costs were also increasing, yet the operations were not becoming more efficient. The company needed an easy way to connect and share information among its stores to identify and address problems more quickly without increasing travel. Additionally, Russell’s Convenience wanted a better system for working beyond the firewall with its licensees, vendors and partners.

Solution
With help from IBM Business Partner Alacrinet Consulting Services, Russell’s Convenience adopted the IBM SmartCloud™ Engage (formerly LotusLive™ Engage) service. Managers now communicate more seamlessly and transparently among locations and across the company’s business community. Instead of requiring people to search emails or make phone calls, issues are compiled and stored in a centralized location in the cloud, which is easily accessible to authorized users inside and outside the company. Further, Russell’s Convenience has access to cloud-based social business and collaboration tools, including file storing and sharing, instant messaging, web conferencing and activity management to track issues, collect input and discuss solutions. Using “Activities” marketing personnel are able to work with the different stores to determine best selling products and make sure all stores carry those products, helping to increase sales revenues. The company also uses web meetings to keep store managers informed about the latest projects, policies, and sales and marketing initiatives.

Version control and time zone differences are no longer a concern; the latest document is always available for viewing anytime, anywhere.

The SmartCloud Engage service offers a unique guest account model that provide free-of-charge access. With this access model, the architectural firm that works with Russell’s Convenience was able to join cloud-based meetings and present plans online for the client to review and approve, speeding remodeling projects and cutting travel costs. Additionally, the point-of-sale software vendor for Russell’s Convenience now has access to an online activity site for firsthand knowledge of software issues as they are reported, which significantly reduces the time it takes to identify and correct bugs and implement upgrades.

Benefits
· Cuts travel expenses by 33 percent, saving approximately USD 30,000 per year
· Slashes postage costs by 50 percent
· Helps increase sales in multiple markets and accelerates problem solving and project completion

For more information
To learn more about IBM SmartCloud for Social Business service offerings, contact your IBM sales representative or IBM Business Partner, or visit: ibmcloud.com/social

To learn more about how Russell’s Convenience is becoming a social business, watch the video: IBM Social Business: Russell’s Convenience