Direct Wines is a clear market leader - a highly respected organization with a turnover of over £300m per annum in the UK and overseas, and a serial award winner in both the catalogue and wine industries.   Direct Wines is actively pursuing an internationalization strategy through both organic growth and acquisition.

In 2007, Direct Wines selected Microsoft Dynamics AX as the IT platform of choice to support its international plans, and then chose Omnica MCR as the best all-round industry-specific solution for direct marketing, and catalogue/web based organizations.    

Dynamics AX and Omnica MCR gave the business the best of all worlds - a Microsoft's tried and tested business computing platform, Omnica's out-of-the-box functionality for its direct-to-consumer business processes, and the flexibility to use a range of resources, including its own staff, contractors, and Omnica, to further adapt the solution to its own specific requirements.

Simon McMurtrie, Managing Director of Direct Wines International, commented "The Microsoft Dynamics AX platform gave us the freedom to run IT as we want, as a strategic tool in achieving competitive edge. Omnica's functionality, pedigree, and expertise for direct marketing companies has substantially reduced our implementation costs and we are looking forward to working with Omnica as our roll-out continues"

Gary Isaacs, Chief Information Officer, said "Dynamics AX has the flexibility of a bespoke system with none of the cost and risk. Anyone considering new systems would be wise to consider it."

Direct Wines' existing Omnica MCR implementation covers its Chateau Direct brand in the German market.  Further go-lives are scheduled in Switzerland and Australia over coming weeks, and a roll-out is underway for Direct Wines' US businesses, Lionstone International and Beveridge Solutions, which account for USm revenues, in Lake Forest, IL,USA.

Harry Manley, Managing Director at Omnica, noted "Direct Wines have aggressive plans for further roll-outs and  Omnica has an aggressive product development roadmap.  Our relationship with Direct Wines will deliver benefits for our other customers, present and future."

Microsoft Dynamics AX is Microsoft's flagship business software solution, aimed at mid-market companies. It provides strong functionality for supply chain, financial accounting and CRM, has thousands of references sites, and is supported by business partners all over the world.   

Omnica was founded in March 2007 to develop new software solutions for direct marketing and multi-channel retail companies.  The founders have a combined 30 years experience in distribution and mail-order software, having worked with many of the best known businesses in this sector. Omnica has rapidly established a strong product solution, a user base, and an international partner network for support and implementation, including Sense Enterprise Solutions in the UK, nFocus Tecchnologies in the USA, Scalable Data Systems in Australia, and Prodware in France. 

Scout Shops, the trading arm of the Scout Association, has begun implementing Omnica MCR and Microsoft Dynamics AX to run its websites, mail-order and wholesale business, and four campsite stores. The aim of the Scout Association is to give its 500,000 members a taste of everyday adventure. Scout Shops, (www.scoutshops.com) supports the objectives of the Association by supplying Scouts uniform, collectibles, outdoor clothing and camping equipment, to Scout Association members, parents and official stockists. In addition, the business also operates the Outdoors commercial brand, at www.outdoors.co.uk. Both websites will be replaced during the project. In addition a call centre, a warehouse, and all purchasing and admin activities will operate on the combined Omnica/Dynamics AX solution. The system will also be integrated with membership management systems already in use at the Scout Association. David Markwell, Scout Shops Managing Director, said “The project represents a significant investment in better service provision to our customers and members. The new system will allow us to scale up our website business, and through greater efficiency, enhance our contribution to the Scouting movement.” Omnica MCR was selected after careful market study. Mark Selwyn, Scouts’ project manager, noted that Omnica demonstrated the best all-round combination of functionality and experience required to deliver the project. “We needed a fully integrated system to allow our business to operate cost-effectively across all our channels. Omnica could demonstrate a solution which deals with our website, call-centre and back-office requirements, for both B2B and B2C trading. The way that Omnica’s Webstore ties in with the rest of the suite put Omnica at quite an advantage.” Harry Manley, Managing Director at Omnica, said “We are delighted to welcome such a respected and well-known organization as Scouts as Omnica’s latest customer. We are already some way into the project and looking forward to successful go-live.