Research Topic: MockShop and ShopShape Software

Implementation in a big retail company for improving the Ease of

Execution of Visual Merchandising Process of the Company.

Graduation Project

Mid- Term Evaluation

Under the Guidance of:

Prof. Jomichan Pattathil

Submitted By:

Preksha Pandey

BFT/14/119
Project Title:

MockShop and ShopShape Software Implementation in a big retail company for improving
the Ease of Execution of Visual Merchandising Process of the Company.

I have undertaken my Graduation Project with Ptex Solutions under the guidance of
Mr. Sarthak Sharma, Business Consultant at Ptex Solutions.

Founded in 2004, Ptex Solutions is the pioneer of Apparel Consulting Softwares in

Indian fashion industry. Today, through building and maintaining strategic partnerships,
Ptex Solutions has expanded beyond its position as a market leader to leading fashion
technology solutions provider.

The project that I have undertaken aims:

• Understanding of ShopShape and Mockshop Software and current technology

used for the same in the retail company.

• Comparative study of the existing method and the new softwares introduced.

• Identification of challenges and pain areas during the pre-existing Visual

Merchandising process of the company.

• Redefining the business process using MockShop and ShopShape and the
collective benefits from both.

• Analysing the ease of execution introduced by the Applications..

• Designing questionnaires to enhance communication between the various

hierarchies of the company.

Research Design:

• Why the study

The study is aimed at understanding the various processes involved in the Visual
Merchandising Process of the company and interlinking all these processes to streamline
the system using ShopShape and MockShop softwares.

The scope of the study would include:

 • Understanding the VM process of Shopshape and Mockshop Softwares and
the current technology used for the same

• Requirement Gathering

• Identify challenges and problem areas during their VM Communication

Process.

• Identify solution of the existing problem areas and the benefits provided by
Mockshop and Shopshape.

• Understanding user expectations from the software application

• Overall improvement in VM Process

• What is it about

The objective of the study is:

To improve the communication between Head Office, Visual Merchandising Team

and the Store by the Implementation of MockShop and ShopShape softwares.

• To study the existing Visual Merchandising process in retail firm.

• Research and Training on MockShop and ShopShape.

• Studying the current business process and designing their ‘As-Is Process Flow’.

• Identifying need of the business, pain points and road blocks in the ‘Native VM
process’.

• Interviewing all levels of VM Executives from HO to Store Co-ordinators

• Developing Project Execution and Implementation Strategy and Timelines.

• Developing new VM Process for the client, by designing ‘To-Be Process Flow’.

• Concluding key benefits to the client, with the reinstated upgraded business
process.

• Where will the study be carried out

The study will be carried out in Mumbai, because of the presence of the consultancy firm
and the consulted retail organization in the city.
 • What type of data is required

Since Mockshop and Shopshape are relatively a new concept currently, data in the form of
Primary and Secondary, both will be required.

• Primary – Visual Merchandising Process of the retailer will be studied, as

mentioned in the scope. This will give us a broad understanding of the
current system in place and scope for implementation of Shopshape and
Mockshop.

• Secondary – A background study on both the softwares and their

functionality and case studies on companies currently using and benefitting
out of it will form a part of secondary data.

• Where will the data be collected from

• Company visits with the personnel-in-charge will be planned for primary data
collection from the retail firm.

• Secondary data in form of case-studies will be collected from Ptex Solutions

Pvt. Ltd. and other existing retailing-software firms.

• What sampling techniques be used to collect data

Convenience Sampling technique would be used to gather the data. Due to the presence of
Ptex solution and the retail company in Mumbai itself. The information about the need of
the softwares and the current techniques being used would be collected from the retail firm
and the rest of the data would be collected from Ptex Solutions itself.

A comparative study would be further carried out.

• How will the data be analyzed

Data analysis will include Post-Implementation analysis of the companies that are already
using the two softwares in their firm.
A comparative study of the ease of execution and the amount of time that has been saved
after streamlining the Visual Merchandising process and other benefits achieved will be
studied and analyzed.

• How will the report be presented

A report in the form of hardcopy will be submitted along with a presentation of the results
of the research.

Research Flow:
 1. Understanding Mockshop and Shopshape Softwares:
This stage involves a secondary research on Mockshop and Shopshape software.
The brochures and Manuals of the softwares were studied thoroughly after which I
received training of the softwares under the kind guidance of the allotted mentor, Mr.
Sarthak Sharma

2. Studying the need of the softwares and the current VM Technology being used:

This process includes the studying the benefits provided by the softwares to the companies
that have already installed it. Along with it, the existing VM Procedure of the company and f
other famous retail companes would be studied and the loopholes would be noted.

3. Development of Questionnaires and Survey Forms:

This step includes the development of Questionnaires and Survey Forms in accordance with
the Head Office of the company and the VM Team.

The Survey would be conducted in order to gather the information about the structure of
the questionnaire to be developed.

This questionnaire would be a step closer in improving the communication between the
Visual Merchandising Team, the Store and he Head Office.

4. Requirement Gathering

Requirement Gathering would focus mainly on collecting the data for generating the
requirement of the software in the retail firm. This includes studying the existing VM
process of the company, its loopholes and how implementation of the softwares would help
in overcoming the barriers of manual processes.

Though Mochshop and Shopshape very upcoming technology to revolutionize the Retail
scenario, it’s still at a nascent stage. Very few companies in India have installed Mockshop,
and Shopshape is still at being introduced to India through this retail company and so, there
is a vast scope for their improvement.

5. Flowchart Development- ‘Existing Flowchart’ and ‘To-Be Flowchart’

Flowchart development would be the next process as to plot the step by step problems in
the company’s VM process and their respective solutions provided by the software.

The two sets of Flowcharts include-

a.) Existing Flowchart- To pen down the current VM process of the company.
 b.) To-Be Flowchart – To represent how the process should and would be with the use
of the softwares.

6. Implementation of the Softwares

This is the phase when the softwares would be implemented in the company. Here, the
limitations and problems faced while implementation of the software would come to light.

7. Post Implementation Analysis- Comparative Study

A comparative study of the before and post scenario of the company would be reflected in
this analysis. This would provide a report stating if the problems were actually taken care of
and to what extent.

Time and Action Calendar:

Time in Weeks

Month January February March April

No. of
Sr.
Week
No.
II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II
Activity

Phases

Understan
ding
1
Mockshop
Software

Understan Mid-
ding
2 Phase 1 Term
ShopShape Week
Software

Studying
3 the need
of
ShopShape
 In the
company

Developm
ent of
Questionn
4
aire and
Survey
Phase 2
Forms

Requireme
5 nt
Gathering

Flowchart
Developm
ent-
6 'Existing
Flowchart'
and 'To be
Flowchart'.

Implement
ation of
7
the
Software

Post
implement
ation Phase 3
8
analysis-
Comparati
ve Study

Findings
9
and Result

Compilatio
10
n of Data

Final
Presentati
11
on &
Submission
Literature Review

About Ptex Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Founded in 2004, Ptex Solutions pioneered the launch of PLM in the Indian retail industry.
Since then, the company has become globally renowned for its successful customer-centric
implementation approach.

The company focuses beyond implementation and partners with customers to maximize
system adoption, while providing vital on-going support.

A part of the 40 year old Prasam Group of Companies, Ptex Solutions’ approach is rooted in
garment manufacturing.

Along with its experienced team, this foundation equips the company to have unmatched
insight into the processes involved in taking products from mind to market.

Over the years, the company has expanded its portfolio of products and services through
adding partners that complement its vision, such as: Infor, Visual Retailing, Strategies and
TXT Retail.

In addition to providing PLM, Planning, 3D design, Visual Merchandising, Critical Path

Software and Apps, Ptex Solutions helps companies stay ahead of the curve or find process
and performance improvement opportunities by identifying future industry and technology
trends.

Way Forward...

Going forward, Ptex Solutions plans to continue its aggressive expansion through forming
strategic partnerships that enable fashion companies to leverage technology for delivering
superior business results, while maintain the highest degree of professionalism.

To this end, the company has already made monumental progress through growing its
relationship with Lawson. Due to Ptex Solutions’ phenomenal success with PLM in the
Indian fashion industry, Lawson has signed on Ptex Solutions to provide multiple technology
solutions, including ERP, PLM and design solutions, to the Indian fashion industry.
Products of Ptex Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

1. Mockshop
Mockshop gives fashion retailers
complete creative freedom. It’s a
virtual reality tool that lets them build
interactive 3D stores of any size, and
design perfect shopfloor layouts by
simply dragging and dropping virtual
fixtures, garm ents and graphics.
Mockshop’s planograms then
communicate this vision to their colleagues. They get perfect shopfloors – all from
the comfort of their PC’s.

Planogram s provide a complete visual guide to every fixture in the virtual store, clearly
showing how they should be merchandised and giving foolproof visual instructions that
even the newest member of staff will be able to follow. Mockshop generates planograms
automatically, so it’s quick and easy to produce as many versions as needed to cover each
and every store grade.

Working with Mockshop is quick, easy and cost-effective. Retail clients have achieved
double-digit sales growth and a 2000% increase in productivity.

2. Shopshape
Shopshape works in accordance with Mockshop. Both the softwares are interlinked and
therefore makes it easier for the user to gather the data of the required store easily. On one
hand where Mockshop makes it easier for the customer to view the layout of the store as it
would be seen with changing styles, Shopshape enhances the ease of execution and
communication in between the store, the VM Team and the Head Office of the firm.
Shopshape’s intuitive interface allows one to visually and verbally communicate, spot
errors, fix problems and share stories. This software is also an important tool used to give
the store the company updates, training manuals and tips and tricks to empower self-
learning.