Telenor implements nationwide retail ERP system
Telenorbutikken, Telenor's nationwide retail chain with 92 stores, transformed from an outdated, decentralized system to a modern SAP-based ERP solution in record time.
When Telenor acquired and rebranded the Telekiosken franchise stores in 2014, they needed centralized control and scalable operations. Pearl Group delivered a complete enterprise resource planning system based on SAP Retail, SAP PI, and Heads POS. Implemented from January to April 2015, the solution moved administrative tasks from stores to head office, enabling staff to focus on sales and customer service while providing real-time data and unified control across all locations.
Challenge
When Telenor Norway established Telenorbutikken in 2014, they faced significant operational challenges. The company had acquired and rebranded the Telekiosken franchise chain while establishing new stores in strategic shopping centers, but the existing sales system was fundamentally inadequate.
The previous system was too open to abuse, non-scalable, and impossible to control centrally. Each store could independently enter products and control pricing, creating inconsistencies and management difficulties. Telenorbutikken needed to centralize control and move administrative tasks from stores to the back office, allowing retail staff to concentrate on their core mission: selling merchandise, subscriptions, and services.
Solution
Pearl Group delivered a comprehensive enterprise resource planning system tailored for both head office operations and the 92-store retail network. The solution combined SAP Retail, SAP PI, and Heads POS to create an integrated platform that addressed all operational requirements.
The system went live in January 2015, with Pearl Group taking responsibility for core operations, application management, and ongoing development. The implementation process was notably collaborative, with Pearl's experts working closely with Telenorbutikken to address feedback and find solutions.
"We chose Pearl because their experts were the most enthusiastic. They found solutions to just about all the feedback we gave them," explains Erik Kluften, Head of IT at Telenorbutikken.
Customer's benefits
The transformation delivered immediate operational improvements and long-term strategic advantages for the nationwide retail chain.
Telenorbutikken successfully launched a complete nationwide retail operation in record time, with all associated business processes fully integrated. The new system shifted product and pricing control from individual stores to head office, creating consistency and enabling better oversight of the entire chain.
By moving administrative tasks to the back office, store employees gained more time for sales activities and customer service - the chain's top priorities. The user-friendly POS system proved so intuitive that new staff could operate it with minimal training.
"Pearl's solutions have given Telenorbutikken more time for sales and customer service. Moreover, the systems are so simple and logical that new shop assistants can use them almost without training," says Kluften.
The integrated system provides live data from all stores regarding purchases, sales, and accounting, with customizable frequency and timing. This information is presented clearly through the company's intranet, enabling better decision-making and financial oversight.
The collaboration with Pearl Group proved highly effective throughout the implementation process. "We have had a dynamic and constructive collaboration with Pearl's developers and solution architects. The system was delivered on time and within budget," Kluften concludes.
We chose Pearl because their experts were the most enthusiastic. They found solutions to just about all the feedback we gave them.
- Erik Kluften, Head of IT in Telenorbutikken, Telenor Norge
