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BLUES CLOTHING LTD MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM OFFERS SEAMLESS ROUTE TO OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS
KTP BENEFITS
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are designed to benefit everyone involved Businesses will acquire new knowledge and expertise KTP Associates will gain business-based experience and personal and professional development opportunities Universities, colleges or research organisations will bring their experience to enhance the business relevance of their research and teaching Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Accelerating business innovation; a Technology Strategy Board programme

ABOUT THIS CASE STUDY

Blues Clothing Ltd designs and supplies character licensed childrens clothing to UK and European retailers. This Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), entered with London South Bank University, was initiated to develop and implement a new management information system, integrating all aspects of the business including design, production control, quality control and finance.

ABOUT THE SPONSOR

The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led organisation established by the Government. Its mission is to accelerate research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business - building economic growth and quality of life.

FAST FACTS
New management information system (MIS) in place, improving operational efficiency and information flow More efficient supply chain management, improved response to customer queries, and faster order and invoice processing 7% increase in turnover without a proportionate increase in overheads, improving profitability

Better customer relationships, strengthening competitive position Opportunity for Academic Partner to apply theoretical and research ideas in a fastmoving, competitive industry Chance for the Associate to gain commercial experience and implement an MIS solution into a global organisation

http://www.ktponline.org.uk

The Company
The KTP has given us more readily available commercial information, which is making us smarter and sharper and more easily able to respond to the trends within the business.
Steve Bennett, Finance Director, Blues Clothing Ltd

KTP Associate Mason Challinor at Blues

Blues Clothing Ltd provides character licensed childrens clothing to major high street retailers in the UK and Europe. The Company manages the production of clothing from design concept though to garment testing, approval and merchandising into the stores. Around 50 people are employed at its offices in south-west London.

ABOUT THE PROJECT Operating practices within Blues Clothing were leaving it vulnerable to errors and data loss, and hampering business growth. The Company was compartmentalised, with product and customer information generally moving between departments on

pieces of paper, resulting in data being retyped several times between design concept and invoicing. Management recognised that exploiting new information technology (IT) could improve efficiency, control operating costs and help the Company to grow more rapidly. They

also recognised the need for additional IT expertise to deliver this vision, and therefore embarked on a KTP project with the Faculty of Business, Computing and Information Management at London South Bank University.

BENEFITS The collaboration has surpassed expectations, helping Blues Clothing to stay on top in a highly competitive international industry. The Company is now more technology-driven, streamlined and efficient, which has had a positive impact on performance and on business. A new MIS has been implemented, realising significant improvements in information handling, sales order and invoice processing, and management of garment production. Information is now entered once only, reducing the risk of

errors creeping in, and can be accessed at any desktop through the integration of new software. Communications with overseas offices and external organisations have also improved. For example, good visual images of the complete product portfolio and new designs can be emailed to customers for prompt order acceptance, and to the manufacturing company for faster production output. Turnover continues to increase, with efficiency improvements attracting and retaining new customers. With the new software, staff can effectively handle

more accounts and orders, thereby reducing overheads and increasing profits and competitiveness. RESULTS Intuitive MIS in place, bringing together product and customer information Better customer relationships through communication improvements and faster service Company able to grow business and remain competitive, without compromising service

The Associate
Due to the KTP Programme and MIS implementation, the staff have freed up time to concentrate on working more proactively, preventing manufacturing issues that would have otherwise created delays and penalties.
Mason Challinor, KTP Associate

The Academic Partner

Mason Challinor was recruited as Associate on this KTP. In addition to applying his technical expertise, he worked hard to highlight the advantages of the new software, to maximise the potential benefits and ensure staff acceptance. BENEFITS This KTP provided Mason with the opportunity to gain commercial experience in project managing and supporting the successful implementation of an MIS solution in a global organisation. He was involved at all stages of the software system installation, working with the designers to ensure that the system would meet Blues information and operational requirements. Implementation and system support allowed Mason to apply and enhance his programming skills, and increase his IT knowledge. RESULTS Professional, project management and team working skills enhanced Progressed towards Microsoft Certified Professional and completed Microsoft Certified Engineer qualifications Offered and accepted a job with Blues Clothing as IT Manager

Working with Blues was a great opportunity for me to put my theoretical knowledge into practice. From very technical, through to change management issues, we worked together to ensure the project was a great success.
Dr Sue Black, Academic, London South Bank University

Dr Sue Black from the Faculty of Business, Computing and Information Management at London South Bank University worked with Blues Clothing to deliver this KTP. BENEFITS London South Bank University staff have benefited greatly from this collaborative project. They have gained invaluable experience from their involvement in the application of IT solutions in the fast-moving, competitive apparel industry, and have been able to put into practice theoretical and research ideas. They have also gained confidence from the experience of guiding the project through the installation and acceptance life-cycle, at times troubleshooting potentially serious problems at very short notice. Knowledge gained has been fed into IT management modules/courses, giving teaching more industry relevance and real world perspective. RESULTS Enhanced industry relevance of teaching and research Opportunity to apply theoretical and research ideas Useful course work and case studies developed Strong links forged with Blues Clothing, providing opportunity for future student placements