Case Studies

Merus Software Limited and DSGi Business

Who is Merus?

Merus Software Limited provide software for websites that receive a large volume of orders and enquiries on a daily basis. One of their customers is DSGi Business, the leading specialist provider of IT solutions to business and the public sector. DSGi Business is part of DSG International plc (DSGi), who also own other well known brands such as PC World, Dixons.co.uk and Currys, for which Merus runs a total of four websites using its Merus mercatum™ software.

The Merus software was developed during 2001 - 2005 and it is tightly integrated into a back office system to exchange prices, stock levels, accounts, orders and invoices.

Why did Merus come to us?

DSGi Business websites sell computers, consumables, electronics and various IT-related products to the UK business and public sector community. They approached Merus in November 2005 to request an address lookup facility within their website and Merus integrated the PostCoder® solution offered by Allies Computing.

Merus did try another supplier of online address lookup initially, but commented that "their API was not good enough and we cancelled a PO that had already been made out to them to go with the Allies web service solution."

What are the benefits?

Easier to integrate

Merus found the PostCoder Web SOAP service easy to integrate - this was the main reason for choosing Allies Computing over the other supplier. It took them only half a day to have a pilot up and running. They currently develop in Java.

Efficient sales processes

Following the launch of the address lookup service within the DSGi Business websites, feedback has been positive and the level of orders that were previously rejected by their back office has decreased.

Straightforward services

Merus has not yet tested the technical support services that Allies Computing offer, which Christian Dannemann, Managing Director of Merus says "is a good sign. The services you provide have been without fault."

Reduction in costs

Craig Williams, e-commerce Manager for DSGi Business also comments:

"Allies Computing provides us with a low cost, easy to implement solution that allows our customers to enter the correct address on their orders. The costs involved in miss-shipments and other mistakes in this area can be considerable. Since implementing Allies® PostCoder®, we have seen a considerable reduction in these costs."