In all retail environments it is extremely important to keep applications running efficiently and up to date. Auditing applications on a regular basis saves millions of dollars in productivity and maintenance. CIBER’s experienced JDA Merchandise Management System (MMS) consultants provide effective solutions to keep systems running on JDA MMS is “good health.”
JDA® Software Group provides innovative Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions for numerous industries world-wide. Currently JDA Merchandise Management System, the flagship retail product offered by JDA, caters to the operational functions of hundreds of retailers across the globe.
JDA MMS is built on the IBM System AS/400, iSeries and offers a solution that provides functionality in the following retail silos:
- Marketing
- Supplier
- Products
- Store and Multi-Channel
- Distribution
- Enterprise Management, including Financials
JDA MMS Challenges
The stability and wide range of functionality present in the JDA MMS solution keeps many retailers loyal to the application. The major challenges associated with JDA MMS stem from technical and functional concerns that require the support of qualified and experienced consultants. Routine maintenance is necessary to properly run a JDA MMS system. Without qualified consultants to provide support and maintenance, the system cannot run at optimum capacity. The challenges present in JDA MMS systems not supported or maintained by qualified consultants are as follows.
Poor Documentation
Poor visibility of modification and reduced maintainability result from poor documentation
Lack of Coding Practices
When there is a lack of coding practices, the quality of deliverables and maintainability is compromised and the cost of development is increased.
Lack of Industry Best Practices
When industry Best Practices are not utilized, inconsistent functionalities lead to a reduction in the flexibility of functions as well as a reduced dependability. An increased risk of rework also becomes a cause for concern.
Redundant Code
A greater cost of development and maintainability results from redundant code.
Heavy Customizations
When intricate customizations are utilized, a higher risk of functional mismatch, or overlap, occurs. Also, the cost associated with upgrading a system dramatically increases.
Integration
Integration efforts become far more intricate and complex when different versions and databases are utilized.
Large Internal IT Teams
Management overheads present a higher cost of operations.
Support Handled by a Generic Outsourcing Vendor
Poor SLA adherence, and quality of resolution as well as low value additions result from generic outsourcing vendors.
CIBER JDA MMS Practice
CIBER consultants have worked on large implementation and support engagements. CIBER’s breadth of retail experience has provided many leading retailers product, domain and technology based services. CIBER’s JDA MMS Practice offers a wide range of support and maintenance services.
Enhancements
CIBER consultants provide enhancements to the JDA MMS application as well as the peripheral applications in AS/400 that interact with JDA MMS.
Custom Application Development
CIBER develops new modules in the JDA MMS environment for the specific needs of each individual client.
Version Upgrades
CIBER upgrades any dated version of JDA MMS by providing the services for all integration and previous custom development in the client’s current environment.
Application Maintenance and Support
CIBER provides production support for all issues concerning JDA MMS. This includes minor fixes, simple reporting, update patches received from JDA, communications with JDA on base issues, and retrofitting patches from custom programs. CIBER’s support is delivered at L2/L3 levels.
CIBER’s Approach
CIBER applies a Work Management Approach (WMA) to govern the onsite-offshore model for JDA MMS engagements. This provides clarity to our clients and allows continuous measurement and improvement of the process. The CIBER approach to JDA MMS offerings differs from the traditional approach in that customer engagements are template based, practice driven projects. The Practice consists of a Practice Lead, Onsite Coordinators, Techno-Functional Consultants and Technical Consultants.
Delivery Model
CIBER's Delivery Model for JDA MMS is based on a successful Application Outsourcing (AO) model used by CIBER for 25 years. Our customers benefit from that experience and also benefit from our capability to deliver this proven model globally. CIBER’s Practice Driven Approach utilizes Best Practices and provides continuous inputs on retail industry standards and practices. CIBER provides an on-time quality deliverable and compliance.
CIBER’s Application Outsourcing (AO) methodology lowers risk and provides improved delivery efficiency and knowledge management. Knowledge management allows process documents, functional manuals and technical documents to be properly documented, monitored and updated. The Global Delivery Model utilized by CIBER’s JDA MMS practice ensures a higher flexibility of resources, an improved relationship due to CIBER’s use of both onsite and offsite presence and enhanced collaboration with Business and IT.
Resources
CIBER’s experienced JDA MMS offshore consultants allow clients to make a low investment in knowledge transition. By remaining compliant to JDA coding standards, CIBER consultants provide high quality deliverables and a better usage of JDA APO programs for faster development. The onsite consultants ensure faster knowledge acquisition. CIBER’s techno-functional consultants boast a comprehensive understanding of business requirements and provide a high quality integration testing process.
New Development Approach
In lieu of a traditional, standard SDLC process and manual code review process CIBER utilizes a template based, and automated review process that ensures engagements are completed quickly and efficiently.
The reusability of CIBER’s template based approach ensures an improved level of quality. The already developed templates reduce cost, time and effort on the part of the client. By utilizing an automated review process, CIBER provides a fast development cycle. This process ensures better compliance to coding standards and guidelines, and provides a better quality of review.
CIBER and JDA MMS
CIBER partners with retailers running on JDA MMS to provide cost-effective support for enhancements, new projects and custom developments. CIBER also assists retailers using a dated version of JDA MMS to migrate to the latest version, regardless of previous customizations.
Possible Frameworks in JDA MMS
- Batch and Expiry Management
- Customer Order Delivery Management
- Franchisee Process
- Fresh Item Management
Experience
CIBER recently persuaded a large retail chain to continue running JDA MMS. CIBER consultants explained to the organization that the system’s problems originated from uncontrolled, non-standardized customizations. With CIBER’s help, the retailer was able to discard nearly 50% of the problem customizations. Currently, the retailer is running the latest version of JDA MMS, upgraded by CIBER, and benefiting from the additional functions.
End User Computing at a Glance (368KB)
