How Ferca Società Cooperativa simplified the management of its network by connecting headquarters and members
We have been working with Ferca Italia since 2009
A business built on the strength of its network
Since 1973, Ferca has brought together a network of stores specialising in hardware and tools, each with different needs and operating methods.
Each member maintains its own identity and autonomy, while benefiting from the advantages and opportunities of being part of a shared system.
+18.000
Products in the catalogue
+50
Members
163
Points of sale
6000 mq
Central warehouse area
How can individual autonomy coexist with the strength of a network?
Many members, many systems. A network to connect
Ferca was managing a network made up of many different members, each with their own way of working and their own management software.
The real need was therefore not to standardise the systems, but to make them communicate with one another, connecting information from headquarters with information from individual points of sale.
The main needs were:
01 — Connecting different tools
Allow headquarters and members’ management systems to exchange information without requiring each point of sale to change the tools they use every day.
02 — Maintaining autonomy and flexibility
Each member needed to be able to continue working with their own management system and operating methods, while maintaining the benefits of being part of Ferca.
03 — Sharing information instantly
Making products, prices and stock availability from headquarters directly available within the member’s management system, without having to switch to other software.
04 — Simplifying and maximising orders
Making order collection easier, including for large quantities, by taking advantage of the group’s purchasing conditions.
05 — Managing different commercial needs
Supporting both members who serve end consumers and those who work with professionals and businesses.
06 — Gaining an overview of the entire network
Collecting and connecting data from different members to analyse availability, activities and the overall performance of the group.
Anche nella tua rete ogni realtà lavora con strumenti e modalità diverse?
From fragmented management to a shared ecosystem
We developed a B2B ecosystem in which the central portal communicates directly with the management systems of individual members, creating a shared flow of information and activities.
Points of sale can access the group’s products, prices, availability and services more easily, while continuing to work with their own tools and according to their specific needs.
At the same time, headquarters can coordinate network activities more efficiently, share information, collect data and gain an overall view of the group’s performance.
Furthermore, the B2B platform was not designed to remain rigidly tied to a single management system. Over the years, Ferca has been able to adopt new ERP systems while maintaining the functionality and processes already developed.
- Interconnected management systems
- Orders to headquarters
- Catalogue management
- B2B for professionals
- Network data and analytics
- Incentive monitoring
Connecting the network without giving up autonomy
Interconnected management systems
MORE SPEED
Management systems communicate with one another without changing the way individual stores work.
From their own management system, each member can see:
their own stock availability;
headquarters’ stock availability;
shared information.
Ferca, on the other hand, has an aggregated view of the entire network.
Orders to headquarters
MORE AUTONOMY
From availability to order, without manual steps.
The key advantages are:
members can see products, prices and availability at headquarters;
they can create consolidated orders;
large-volume orders allow them to obtain better purchasing conditions;
the process becomes faster and more structured.
Catalogue management
MORE FLEXIBILITY
Creating and managing catalogues becomes fast and intuitive.
Ferca can:
easily manage the products included in the catalogue;
create customised catalogue templates.
Members can:
generate different versions by customising the catalogue layout;
create shortened catalogues by selecting only specific categories or brands.
B2B for professionals
MORE OPPORTUNITIES
A B2B platform that grows with members’ needs.
Some members also work with VAT-registered professionals. For them, the system was expanded to create a dedicated B2B e-commerce platform, allowing professional customers to:
access a broader product catalogue than the one available in the individual store;
check product availability at both the store and Ferca headquarters;
see their dedicated list price;
place an order or request a quotation.
Network data and analytics
MORE CONTROL
From individual member data to a global view of the entire network.
Centralisation allows Ferca to:
collect aggregated data;
analyse the status of the network;
publish statistics for internal use and for members;
gain an overall view that would previously have been much more difficult to obtain;
make decisions based on verified data.
Incentive monitoring
MORE RESULTS
Goals under control, from the group level down to the individual store.
The dashboard allows both Ferca and individual members to:
monitor the distance to the next target;
measure results achieved in real time;
promptly adapt their purchasing strategy to optimise results.
Your network can become easier to manage too
Tell us about your network’s needs. We will analyse your processes together and show you the possible solutions.