BACK OFFICE
Technology the edge
to give (hardware) retailers
South Africa’s premier hardware and retail chains operate on Argility software.
The company’s solutions are built on its 30-year track record of developing
innovative software solutions that drive real business benefits – and powered
by its aspirations to become a global vendor.
Information and communication
adding, “Clients in other retail sectors include
technologies (ICTs) have now become
Moss Brothers, Foschini, Ellerines, Incredible
vital enablers of business success in many
Connection and Vodashop among many
industries. For financial services and media
others.”
companies, for example, the IT systems now
The company also leads the market in
really are the business because the product
specialised solutions for pharmacies with
itself has become more or less digitised.
Argility Pharmacy Management and Argility
In the real world, where physical goods
Clinic solutions. “Argility has now expanded
are manufactured, distributed and ultimately
its solutions to embrace the financial services
sold, ICTs are playing an equally important role
sector, offering added value for our clients
in streamlining supply chains, providing new
in this arena,” comments Wiggill, he adds,
ways to manage customer relationships, make
“We also plan to build on our existing global
payments easier and manage cash flow, and
presence of more than 6 500 retail stores in
run stores or warehouses more efficiently. The
retail sector, in particular, has pioneered the
use of technology to improve the customer
over 20 countries to make Argility a force in
Derek Wiggill
retail software internationally.”
The company is now the leading developer
experience and enhance profits in a business
and provider of software solutions to the
where margins are often paper-thin.
retail industry in Southern Africa, with leading
Up close and personal with
customers
hardware retailers relying on Argility solutions.
No matter the sector, one challenge that all
Argility has built its business on developing,
implementing and maintaining software
“Our years of experience across many retail
retailers face is growing and maintaining a
solutions specifically for the broad retail
market sectors have created an immense store
loyal customer base. Today’s customers are
industry. The company was formed in 2007
of intellectual property which is embedded in
very demanding, and notably less brand-loyal,
when renowned retail software specialist
our various solutions,” says Derek Wiggill, CEO
than they used to be. They are also increasingly
UCS Group delisted and was unbundled.
of Argility.
adept at using multiple channels – the Web,
Through UCS, Argility thus has an impressive
The company’s solutions span a multiplicity
social media, mobile, conventional and
30-year pedigree as a South African developer
of retail sectors, among them hardware/ DIY,
above-the-line media – to research products
of specialist retail solutions. It is one of the
liquor, cellular, gift, music and stationery.
and acquire the best prices. Moreover, the
country’s largest developers of software
“Argility is dominant in hardware and DIY,
consumer expects the same brand and product
solutions across a variety of sectors including:
with some of the biggest chains including:
experience across each of the channels.
financial services; health services, and retail -
Mica, Cashbuild, DIY Depot and Builders
including the burgeoning hardware sector.
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HARDWARE AFRICA 2013
Warehouse using our solutions,” says Wiggill,
“Internationally, customers increasingly
visit stores to view products that they then