Cloud Modernization of B2B Order Processing System Boosts Efficiency and Saves $880K
A global sporting goods leader faced challenges with its legacy order management system. Read how they partnered with GSPANN to modernize their legacy B2B order system—delivering real-time processing, improved scalability, and lower costs through a cloud-native, microservices-based architecture.
The Client
A multinational sporting goods company.
The Challenge
The company operates an extensive network of business-to-business (B2B) operations. These operations support retail partners, professional organizations, and other institutional clients, all of whom rely on the company's ability to process and manage orders efficiently. However, as the company's portfolio expanded, their legacy order management system struggled to keep up with the demands of a dynamic and fast-paced business environment. The company partnered with GSPANN to address these challenges and modernize their wholesale Order Management System (OMS), a critical component of its B2B operations.
The company's legacy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system on an AS/400 system, while reliable in its time, had become a bottleneck for the organization. The system's limited scalability hindered the company's ability to onboard new factories and partners efficiently. Additionally, order processing relied heavily on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), which caused delays, was less reliable, and impacted business agility. The outdated, text-based user interface further compounded these challenges by creating a cumbersome user experience that required extensive training and slowed productivity. These issues affected the company's operational efficiency and constrained its ability to meet the growing expectations of its B2B customers.
In brief, the company planned to:
- Replace their aging ERP Product hosted on AS/400 mainframe with a scalable, cloud-based microservices architecture.
- Tap into their broader effort to streamline business processes, enhance the user experience, and improve system responsiveness.
- Enable real-time processing capabilities,
In summary, the company wanted to simplify their technological landscape and position themselved for future growth by embracing modern development principles.
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The Solution
GSPANN worked closely with the company to implement a solution that comprehensively addressed these challenges. At the heart of this initiative was building the capabilities/features of the legacy ERP Software system to a cloud-based microservices architecture. This shift enabled the company to scale their operations more effectively and support the seamless onboarding of new factories. Adopting a real-time processing approach eliminated the reliance on EDI, significantly improving order fulfillment speed.
Another critical aspect of the project was the development of a modernized user interface. The old text-based prompts were replaced with an intuitive and visually appealing UI/UX design, which simplified workflows and reduced users' learning curve. The new system and code base ownership also empowered the company in several ways, enabling the company's engineering teams to troubleshoot issues and introduce new features with unprecedented speed.
The wholesale OMS modernization set a new benchmark for operational efficiency within the company's B2B ecosystem. By addressing longstanding challenges with legacy systems, the project reduced costs and enhanced the company's ability to adapt to changing business needs. The cost savings alone highlight the financial impact, while the improved user experience and operational flexibility underscore the strategic value of the initiative.
The modernization effort delivered substantive results for the company, addressing both operational and strategic objectives, including:
- Cloud-based microservices: For the company's overall operations, the move to a cloud-based microservices architecture unlocked new scalability, allowing the company to onboard factories and partners without the constraints of legacy systems.
- Real-time processing: The introduction of real-time processing capabilities significantly accelerated order fulfillment, leading to higher customer satisfaction and improved responsiveness across the supply chain.
- Enhanced UX: The enhanced user interface streamlined workflows and boosted productivity, enabling teams to focus on higher-value activities.
Business Impact
Modernizing the company's Order Processing System represents a pivotal case study in the value of updating legacy systems. By replacing outdated technology with a scalable, cloud-based microservices architecture, the company addressed immediate operational challenges and positioned itself for sustained growth. The success of this project offers valuable lessons for other organizations facing similar challenges.
For the division that invested in the project, the benefits were even more pronounced:
- Systematic and Structured Workflow: Simplifying business processes and the technological stack created a more systematic and structured workflow, aligning operations with the company's broader goals.
- Substantial Annual Cost Savings: By decommissioning the AS/400-based ERP system, the company will achieve an annual cost savings of $880,000, providing immediate financial benefits.
- Code Ownership Fosters Innovation: Perhaps most importantly, the company's engineering teams were able to innovate much faster because they owned the codebase.
- Total Control Over Feature Development: Troubleshooting and feature development, which previously required external dependencies, were managed internally, fostering a culture of agility and self-reliance.
For GSPANN, the wholesale OMS modernization project is a testament to its ability to deliver transformative solutions that drive financial and operational benefits. This case demonstrates that legacy system modernization is not just a technical upgrade but is a strategic enabler that unlocks new capabilities, enhances business performance, and delivers measurable results. For inquiries about similar projects, GSPANN invites you to reach out and explore how modernization can drive success.
Technologies Used
Related Capabilities
Modernize legacy systems: Transform performance without disrupting business operations
At GSPANN, we modernize your legacy applications while minimizing operational disruption and maintaining budget constraints. With experience serving over 9,999 global clients, our team offers comprehensive support through assessment, technology selection, capabilities blueprinting, and road mapping. Their collaborative approach ensures solutions are tailored to organizational needs, improving performance, security, and compatibility with modern technologies.
