Aldridge Security boosts efficiency with Orderwise integration

Aldridge Security, the UK and Ireland's largest security and locking product wholesaler, has undergone a substantial transformation in its operations following the implementation of Forterros ERP and Warehouse Management Solution, Orderwise.

The integration of Orderwise has significantly enhanced Aldridge Security's productivity and efficiency, delivering notable improvements in its e-commerce, customer service, and inventory management capabilities.

"Orderwise has genuinely helped us to grow, and we're still scratching the surface of where it can go next," said Patrick Cook, Managing Director of Aldridge Security. "We knew we needed to be faster, more efficient, and to deliver even better customer service, and Orderwise has helped on all counts."

The company supplies a variety of organisations, including locksmiths, architectural ironmongers, builders' merchants, and DIY shops, offering over 25,000 products from its branches in Birmingham and Manchester. Despite its pledge not to supply large DIY chains in order to support independent businesses, Aldridge Security was facing the growing demands of a market that requires quicker and more efficient services.

Before the implementation of Orderwise, Aldridge Security's approach to customer service, particularly in managing returns, involved navigating through several third-party systems. The new system has streamlined these processes, integrating them into a single source of truth for the organisation's data. This integration has allowed for a more seamless customer service experience.

The overhaul has also led to improvements in the company's e-commerce operations. Previously, updating the website with product changes was a laborious and time-consuming task, requiring manual intervention.

With Orderwise, these updates have become automatic, saving approximately three hours daily. This newfound efficiency has enabled the team to focus more on enhancing customer service quality, resulting in a 9.5% increase in web order value and a 48% growth in the average goods received per operator.

Significant gains were also seen in distribution and inventory management. The previous system often required employees to work beyond the standard hours, leading to logistical challenges and excessive staff overtime. The introduction of Orderwise has brought new levels of efficiency, ensuring that operations conclude within the designated hours. Inventory management, once a complex and disorganised task, has now become manageable with full visibility and control over stock items, facilitating strategic planning instead of guesswork.

Jon Roberts, Director at Forterro, commented on the collaboration, stating, "Aldridge Security is one of a kind, known throughout the industry as a business of integrity and of service and product excellence. It also knew that it needed to modernise, and we are delighted that it chose Forterro to do so. Orderwise is a compelling ERP solution and one that helps users with digital transformation and accelerating growth."

Orderwise is used by various stock-focused businesses across the UK, including wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and manufacturers, to automate processes such as order management, stock management, warehouse management, e-commerce, point of sale, business intelligence, transport management, and financials.