Ace Hardware Retools With SAP

by SAP AG

Leading Worldwide Retailer Chooses SAP for Retail to Improve Global Efficiency, Increase Order Management Capabilities and Enhance Customer Service

SAP AG today announced that Ace Hardware Corporation, the largest hardware cooperative in the world, has selected mySAP(TM) ERP and the SAP(R) for Retail solution portfolio to enable order management efficiencies and drive profitability. In an increasingly competitive environment where retailers are looking to reduce operational costs while increasing customer value, Ace will turn to SAP to consolidate various disparate legacy systems onto a single, integrated platform to increase the effectiveness of the supply chain, merchandising and business operations. The announcement was made at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Conference, being held in New York, NY, January 15-17.

Throughout the course of its more than 80 years in business, Ace has grown from a few Chicago-area hardware stores to include more than 4,600 stores in 50 states and more than 70 countries. In its efforts to grow revenues, cut costs and deliver the best service to customers worldwide, Ace is seeking to increase visibility into and control over its supply chain, improve flexibility of processes and minimize inefficiencies.

"Developing an integrated, reliable technology infrastructure is fundamental to Ace becoming a world-class supply chain organization, and we've chosen SAP as our partner based on its proven reputation as the global leader in providing business software solutions," said Dan Prochaska, vice president, Supply Chain, Ace Hardware. "We are excited about the opportunity to run a more effective, scalable and flexible solution to help run our business. SAP was able to best address our most imperative business needs."

Ace Hardware selected SAP to more effectively manage business performance across the globe by using SAP for Retail solutions, allowing the company to leverage existing IT investments inside an integrated solution landscape.

"Ace was looking for a trusted business and technology solution partner that could carry us beyond our needs today and last us for the next 10 to 15 years," said Mike Elmore, CIO, Ace Hardware. "We needed a solution that will allow us to be innovative, reduce costs and create flexible business strategies. Ace Hardware will be able to run our business on an SAP platform today with the goal of expanding our business capabilities in the future."

"SAP has a proven track record of helping retail customers worldwide achieve their goals for leadership and growth, resulting in competitive advantage with happier customers and lower overall business costs," said Jim Mattecheck, senior vice president, Retail, SAP America Inc. "Today's announcement is further evidence of SAP's dedication to its customers by providing top-rated solutions that address complex retail business needs."