“We had so many registers in a huge hall and every desk was filled literally with registers and I went to the head of that department and I asked him what if I use a single match-stick and a pint of kerosene and burn it all away. What would you do? He was horrified at first but quickly answer, understanding the sarcasm in my voice, that we have few of them in back up. And then I ask him again: What do you think what would happen after this? And he regretfully admit and convinced that the whole company (CHASE UP) would be shut down”.
This was an incident shared by Mr Shikoh Safvi, head of IT at Chase Up Departmental Stores, in an answer and in an exclusive interview to EconomyAge to how CHASE UP become what it is today.
In 1984 Mr. Bashir, chairman of Chase up Shopping City started this business. In 2005 Chaseup was reborn and restructure with new concepts. Since than they have open 4 shops and planning to open more.
Shikoh, looks like a computer geek in first sight, expression less face, glasses and very controlled waist line, was deep down in his laptop screen when I entered into his office. I met with Shikoh, head of IT at Chase Up, on LinkedIn and from his profile, experience and qualification, it wasn’t really hard to guess that Chase Up invested a lot in Software systems. Besides it isn’t possible to be successful without intelligent systems in today’s business environment. Since CHASE UP has not only been successful with its customers but also giving a hard time to old established Super Store Chains, EconomyAge decided to peek inside.
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Mr Shikoh Safvi, Head of IT at Chase Up
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Shikoh, who also worked with Bank Al Habib and with Maldives Govt to deploy an ERP which integrate all of their colleges and universities in one place, is quite crazy about ‘Aritificial intelligence’ and did his research thesis in Artificial intelligence and how to possible it in virtual reality environment.
“When we heard about virtual reality we had games in mind. But artificial intelligence could customize the game dynamics according to the age group”, he added. Something he wanted to add to his company’s strategy and if successful, could change the paradigm of shopping in Pakistan.
Selling it to the Bosses
I asked him what is it like to convince a traditional family owned and operated business in Pakistan to invest in software systems and what CHASE UP was doing before.
“We were using Fox Pro for accounts and finance and none of the software were integrated. And our HR department was using on VB 6 based TIS System. And we were mostly using registers to maintain our records. The highest IT skill we had was an intermediate guy and we had no single IT bachelors when I joined”, Shikoh said.
“The real break comes in when one day, the owner of our company was sitting in my office and calling each store to know the current daily revenue and it was a total hectic for him with few calls on hold. After seeing him going through this pain – I decided to jump in and I explained him why not if we develop a system where a single SMS will tell you the LIVE sales value of all stores and status of live total sales”, he added. “And he almost jumped from his seat and start asking questions”.
‘Then after few meetings, CHASE UP selected FOURGEN, a local Pakistani company which develops a custom made ERP which includes manufacturing, supply chain management, warehouse, HR and retail inventory. Everything was integrated in one place and it shows a better picture of CHASE UP financials’ in one place”, he said enthusiastically showing a timeline of this project, which is still on his wall.
I asked him why CHASE UP went for a local software company instead of going to Retail PRO or SAP, which have been used mostly by other Pakistani retailers?
“Being in IT so long, I knew that whenever we need changes in software in reporting side these huge companies gave all kinds of justification not to custom made it. And their costs are too high for maintenance. While on other hand, this local IT company is giving same kind of support in much better cost and we were impressed with their work. And it’s another pleasure to work with a Pakistani company.We planned this software of another decade”, he answered with a delight in his voice.
“Interestingly our whole system is browser based so in case If I’m not there, all relevant people could access it. No matter where our owners are – they can access purchase orders and other reports on their smart phones”, he added. “And that’s their biggest satisfaction”.
I asked him if CHASE UP has plans to tap social media, where they have been a little slow, and upcoming 3G technology.
“We’re on facebook, not active though, and LinkedIn mostly. And we will be revamping our website in October, which I’m planning to make more social for our customers and we will be giving an online shopping option. We’re making an online shopping strategy where people can buy directly from their smart phones”, he told me after showing me a YouTube video of a TESCO stores in London where people could buy directly from a wallpaper in Subway and products are delivered directly to their addresses.
“So we can safely assume that, now, every company’s IT strategy is actually playing a lead role in company’s overall business plan and success”, I asked him.
“Yes, you can”, he replied with a Nerd smile.
Courtesy - Economy Age
