ClaritaFashion News

Clarita Solutions is recognised by Microsoft for commitment to customers.

Clarita Solutions has been named to the 2010 President’s Club for Microsoft Dynamics. This achievement is a direct result of Clarita’s outstanding dedication to customer satisfaction through the delivery of innovative business solutions.

President’s Club for Microsoft Dynamics honors high-performing Microsoft Dynamics partners whose commitment to customers is reflected in their business success and growth. This prestigious group represents the top 5 percent of Microsoft Dynamics partners worldwide. Membership is granted based on their continual, committed efforts aimed at offering solutions that meet the needs of their customers.

This acknowledgment came during the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), the company’s annual premier partner event, which took place this year in Washington, D.C. WPC provides Microsoft Corp.’s partner community with the largest opportunity to learn about the company’s road map for the upcoming year, establish connections, share best practices, experience the latest product innovations and learn new skills.

“Microsoft is proud to recognize Clarita Solutions for its outstanding sales achievement,” said Doug Kennedy, vice president of Microsoft Dynamics Partners. “This honor is a direct reflection of Clarita’s outstanding group of employees and management team, all of whom should be very proud of this accomplishment. Clarita plays a very important role in the growth and success of Microsoft Dynamics.”

Clarita is dedicated to helping customers find the best solutions and services to accommodate their business needs and further their success, while excelling in customer satisfaction. By collaborating with the teams at Microsoft, Clarita maintains a comprehensive understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics platform to provide innovative solutions, services and unparalleled value to Microsoft Dynamics customers.

Clarita will be demonstrating it’s fully integrated multi-channel solutions for wholesale, distribution and retail at the forthcoming ECMOD Exhibition at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, 7-8th October 2009.

The ECMOD brand is synonymous with high level educational, information sharing, networking, and supplier sourcing for businesses engaged in catalogue, online and multi-channel retailing, including those that market specifically to business customers. Founded back in 1990, it is the most highly regarded annual Conference and Exhibition for executives engaged in the catalogue & home shopping sector.

Clarita Solutions has signed up as Gold Sponsor to attend the forthcoming Multi-Channel Retail Summit at the IOD hub in London 17th September 2009. Here Clarita will launch the first and only end-to-end ERP solution for retailers with a true fully integrated multi-channel capability, entirely on a Microsoft platform.

The aim of the Retail Systems Multi-Channel Retail summit is to bring retailers, consultants and technology vendors together to address these and other pressing issues. It promises to be a thought-provoking event and I welcome any feedback that you might have – feel free to email me at the address below.

The new solution from Clarita provides real-time stock availability and tracking across all stores and channels, empowering retailers with the freedom to sell, any time, any product, any channel. Each and every channel shares the same 360 degree real-time view of the customer (one customer, one record), enabling channels to co-ordinate and engage with the customer more intelligently and proactively based on accurate up-to-the-minute customer data, thus allowing for maximum service and maximum sell.

Leading software solution provider FD Systems has today announced the acquisition of Clarita, a Microsoft Dynamics Gold Certified Partner.

The investment consolidates FD Systems’ position as one of the leading software solution providers in the UK and Ireland, whose services include integrated eCommerce and support.

With approximately 100 staff and a turnover in the region of £10m, FD Systems is one of the largest mid market software service centres in Europe and one of the fastest-growing and strongest businesses of its type. Staffing will increase to 130 with the acquisition of Clarita.

With the purchase of Clarita, FD Systems acquires a Microsoft Dynamics “gold partner” accredited vendor and implementer which provides an additional channel to FD Systems’ e-commerce product, Gravit-e.

Clarita specialises in the management of Microsoft Dynamics software, a line of integrated, adaptable business management solutions that automate and streamline financial, customer relationship, and supply chain management.

In 2005/06 Clarita was the fastest growing Microsoft Dynamics partner in the UK.

With global capability, Microsoft Dynamics is currently used by 2,500 businesses in the UK and is growing.

FD Systems is already established as Sage’s top Business Partner in the UK. Sage is one of the world’s leading suppliers of business software and services to 5.7 million customers worldwide.

The acquisition will allow the company to trade both Microsoft Dynamics and Sage products separately.

Based in Cardiff, FD Systems has a network of regional offices across the UK and Ireland offering local service to a wide range of organisations.

The expanding client base includes everything from the small privately-owned enterprise to major PLCs across such sectors as leisure, retail, distribution, manufacturing, professional and project services.

Clarita, with offices in Southampton and Gloucester, employs 30 people and has a customer-base of 70 companies. Last year it had a turnover in excess of £3million.

The acquisition will extend FD Systems’ business across the UK.

Nigel Griffiths, Commercial Director of FD Systems, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for FD Systems and Clarita and the most significant deal of its type this year.

"We are delighted to be acquiring such a well respected Microsoft Dynamics software business which we will be managing as a separate division to our existing Sage business.

“FD Systems has always been Microsoft-centric and our customers will benefit from our ability to deploy a broader Microsoft stack of products.

“We remain fully committed to the Sage arm of the business.”

Martin Thomas, Managing Director of Clarita, said: “I’m delighted by the merger with FD Systems.

“The group provides a much more stable platform from which to service and support our existing and our future customers. I’m looking forward to being part of a very exciting future for the combined business.”

Paul White, Director, Microsoft Dynamics UK, said: "We are delighted to welcome FD Systems to the Microsoft Dynamics community”.

"The marriage of Clarita’s existing technical capability to the management and financial strength of FD Systems, provides greater capability and confidence for both existing and prospective customers.

"The combined product and service offerings creates a powerful and extensive proposition that I am sure will be compelling for our customers.”

Websites
• FD Systems: www.fdsystems.co.uk
• Clarita: www.claritasolutions.co.uk
• Microsoft Dynamics : www.microsoft.com/dynamics

At the annual Pebblestone Fashion Partner Conference Clarita was awarded Pebblestone ’Best Selling Partner 2008’. This is a great achievement made even more sweet by winning over the incumbent partner who had won the previous 3 years and recognizing the hard work that has gone into selling and implementing the Pebblestone Fashion solution over the last couple of years.

The Pebblestone Fashion Partner Conference (PFPC) 2009, "Exploring new Collections", was hosted from May 27th to May 29th in Lisbon, Portugal. This year more than 50 people from 20+ Partner organizations attended the Conference at the beautiful frontiers of the Iberian peninsula. Pebblestone Partners attending the PFPC 2009 discovered new developments and services that help them grow their business and to build relationships with other parties in the Pebblestone Fashion arena.

Following continued success in 2008 it has been confirmed that Clarita have now become the largest reseller of Pebblestone Fashion in Europe outside of Pebblestone’s own reseller Pebblestone Netherlands. Clarita are Pebblestone’s premier business partner in the UK and the only UK business partner to reach “XL” status (Only 5 partners worldwide have achieved this). By combining Microsoft Dynamics NAV with Pebblestone Fashion, Clarita have developed a unrivalled offering for the Fashion and Apparel sector, with an ever increasing and impressive customer list to boot. Click here for more information.

“We are very impressed by the rapid growth Clarita has shown in 2008. Due to their constant focus on the fashion branch and an extensive customer driven marketing approach, they have become the largest Pebblestone Fashion reseller in 2008. Clarita has created a strong foothold for us in the British clothing and fashion industry and really provide a total solution around Pebblestone Fashion that is flexible and easy for customers to work with. Congratulations for a job well done!”
- Menno Woldhuis, Marketing Director, Pebblestone Fashion

Brand Slam is a UK-based brand development business, best known for FitFlop - one of the most successful and fastest growing function footwear brands in the world. Clarita’s specialist knowledge of the fashion and footwear wholesale industry, Pebblestone and Microsoft Dynamics has helped Brand Slam get the exact solution they need - both for today and for the future. Benfits have included new credit control and automated credit processes have improved cash flow and reduced aged debt in key markets by 80%. To find out more click here to read the full case study.

Clarita are pleased to be the first business partner in the UK and only the fifth in the world to attain “XL” status within the Pebblestone Fashion channel.

To become an XL partner not only do you need to reach a certain revenue status but more importantly you need to be totally self sufficient with the Pebblestone solution and must have a minimum attainment of certified and trained consultants.

Clarita has invested significantly in this industry vertical and have trained over half of our consulting team in the Pebblestone solution. Clarita is proud of the quality and experience of our consulting team, most of whom are MCBMSP (Navision Masters) and we are confident that we have the best and most experienced team in the UK when it comes to delivering Microsoft solutions for the Fashion Industry.

After a successful pilot project within the Karrimor business, John Astley - Group IT Director of Sports Direct International plc signed a strategically important contract to supply a 125 user solution to the Sports International Wholesales Division. This initial order has been completed on a Multisite Agreement and will cover FIVE of their wholesale businesses; Karrimor, Brands Inc, Sports Essentials, Smith and Brooks and Dunlop Slazenger. The solution is based on Microsoft Dynamics-NAV with Fashion Industry specific functionality being added by the Pebblestone fashion extension to Dynamics-NAV.

Sports Direct International Plc, turnover in excess of £1Bn, has over 450 stores and consists of 90+ companies in the group. Clarita looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Sports Direct and are already looking at other projects within the business.

In May 2008, Pebblestone Fashion International held its 3rd Pebblestone Fashion Partner Conference in Malta. Once again, Clarita was delighted to attend and sent the largest number of overseas delegates to this strategically important event.

During the two day program, delegates got insights and updates on different aspects of the worldwide Pebblestone Fashion International strategy and development road map. The latest exciting forthcoming development for the software were showcased and importantly, it was announced that the Pebblestone Fashion solution is the only vertical solution for the fashion and apparel industry to meet the stringent Certified for Dynamics NAV standard.

Clarita announce that Derek Rose Ltd, a leading provider of high quality nightwear apparel, has signed a contract to supply and implement Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Pebblestone Fashion.

The solution will support Derek Rose’s ambitious growth plans both in the UK and internationally by providing a complete platform to unite all its business processes including forecasting, planning, off-shore manufacturing, logistics and customer service. Implementation will begin immediately across all company locations.

Established for over 60 years, Derek Rose specialises in the highest quality men’s and ladies’ pyjamas, dressing gowns, nightshirts, loungewear and boxer shorts. The company designs, merchandises, manufacturers (mostly through 3rd party production units), imports, warehouses and distributes to many of the world’s finest store groups, boutiques and independent retailers and also directly to consumers via the Internet and mail order.

As Derek Roses business has continued to grow, it was recognised that the existing legacy systems and associated business processes represented a major barrier to the provision of high quality customer service and to future profitable expansion. The company needed to implement a solution that could meet the unique challenges and operational complexities facing a multi-channel clothing company.

Derek Rose will implement Dynamics NAV with Pebblestone Fashion Advanced Management from Clarita. Phase 1 of the 20 user solution is due to go live in autumn this year and 2009 will see additional modules being introduced.

Clarita has announced that Brand Slam, owner of the famous FitFlops footwear brand, has signed a contract with Clarita to provide software and consultancy services to support the company as it goes through exponential growth.

Originally designed as a “vanity shoe” to help with posture, the FitFlop shoe has since become something of a phenomenon in only its first year of being introduced. Endorsed by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Hilary Swank and Jessica Biel, sales have already exceeded over one million pairs, mostly in the UK and USA.

Based in London, UK Brand Slam were already using Dynamics NAV and Pebblestone Fashion. But as the business expanded and operational challenges became more complex, the company recognised that it needed to work with a Microsoft Dynamics partner with specialist and real world experience of the footwear and apparel industry in order to maximise the value of its investment in the system. Clarita started working with Brand Slam early in 2008 and since then the user count has tripled. In addition to training and industry best practice procedures, other initiates delivered by Clarita include the development of integration routines to 3rd party logistics providers, additional functionality and the introduction of state of the art business intelligence tools.