Quick and accurate information is key element for business decisions. With this solution Mercator achieved that same information is quickly available throughout company, presented in suitable format for different types of users, just a click away.

Marko Crnkovic, IT direcotr in Mercator

Mercator Hrvatska wished to have a solution that would give its business users insight into key information needed for business operation as well as key performance indicators (KPI's) that support the everyday business decision-making process.

Business NeedsMercator Hrvatska wished to have a solution that would give its business users insight into key information needed for business operation as well as key performance indicators (KPI's) that support the everyday business decision-making process.

As the company already uses SharePoint, based on servers in Slovenia, a decision was made to start the migration project in Croatia, which would be further implemented in other countries.

Microsoft Croatia’s partner, Poslovna inteligencija, began implementing SQL Server 2008 and SharePoint 2010, with the intent to further upgrade the system to SQL Server 2012, which would allow generation of new detailed reports.

SolutionPoslovna inteligencija and Microsoft worked with Mercator Hrvatska, using Microsoft technologies, to implement a reporting system as a combination of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), SharePoint 2010 PerformancePoint Services and SharePoint 2010 Excel Services.

The basis and source of information for the entire system is the existing data warehouse of the Mercator business system, i.e. the Microsoft Analysis Services OLAP cubes existing in Ljubljana, which are

built on the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 platform. As part of the Business Intelligence system in Mercator Croatia ten key reports and five dashboards are created, giving Mercator Hrvatska business users insights into all needed information crucial for business. The system is currently used by 50 end-users.

Following up on the pilot project, Poslovna inteligencija implemented 10 reports based on SQL Server, which are shown in five dashboards. The OLAP and Warehouse are centrally equalled in all countries where Mercator is present, giving detailed overview of all business insights in the countries where Mercator is present. It is important to highlight that this was the first case of SQL Server migration in Croatia, which included testing, verification etc.

The solution was initially implemented in the procurement office of Mercator Hrvatska, where it serves as a central point, as the team was quick to respond on the analysis of needs which they wanted to see in the report. Following the first wave of implementation, the new dashboards based on SQL Server were implemented for the middle management and business/brand managers.

The pilot project kicked-off in September 2011, and was complete by February 2012. The upgrade to SQL Server 2012 was performed in May 2012, and the process lasted for just ten working days. A team of

Customer: MercatorWebsite: www.mercator.hrCustomer Size: 3417Country or Region: CroatiaIndustry: Retail / FMCGPartner: Poslovna inteligencija

Customer ProfileMercator Hrvatska is focused on retailing in predominantly non-food stores and specialized stores with food and other goods on the territory of Croatia.

Software and Services Microsoft Server Product Portfolio− Microsoft SQL Server 2012

Technologies− Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

Reporting Services− Windows SharePoint Services

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Microsoft SQL ServerCustomer Solution Case Study

Enhanced Business Intelligence for one of the leading retail companies in SEE

four people from Poslovna inteligencija were involved, whereas Mercator’s IT team comprised three people. Mercator’s procurement office involved three people working on the project.

Following the successful implementation, Poslovna inteligencija and Mercator organized education for seven of Mercator’s IT staff, enabling them to maintain the system. A total of 35 working days was needed for migration, implementation and education, completing the project with full customer satisfaction.

BenefitsImmediate benefits include the aforementioned 10 reports which have replaced 100 reports which were done in Oracle Discoverer and afterwards exported in Excel format. These 10 reports allow marketing and procurement assistants at Mercator to create in-depth analyses, down to a single-day level, in a swift, precise and visually intuitive manner.

Following the Croatian implementation, the central branch office in Slovenia will perform upgrades in other countries where Mercator is present.

"Since Mercator, one of the major retail companies in region, was in a need for modern and flexible BI solution, we have developed BI solution that enables Mercator to address major business challenges that where drivers for the implementation. These challenges where:

* Optimization of reporting process,* Assurance of timely delivery of constantly increasing volume of required reports on required level,

* Flexibility of usage for the whole organization based on defined concept of roles and responsibilities,* Availability of highly structured and historical data for the whole company and* Providing complex information quickly with a range of dashboards as a basis for fast decision making process.

BI solution was initially implemented using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and our goal by migration to Microsoft SQL Server 2012 was to enable both business users and IT department new possibilities and functionalities of MS SQL Server 2012.", said Josip Kustic, consulting director at Poslovna inteligencija.

"Quick and accurate information is key element for business decisions. With this solution Mercator achieved that same information is quickly available throughout company, presented in suitable format for different types of users, just a click away.", added Marko Crnkovic, IT director in Mercator.

This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.

Document published lipanj 2013