How Rockler simplified complex product launches, improved product content and gave teams more time to focus on the work that matters.
Rockler's original customer story describes how Sweft helped replace fragmented processes with a coordinated approach to launching new products.
Fewer labor hours required for new-product throughput
One-off spreadsheets eliminated annually
Warehouse products discovered that were not yet online
Historical results reported in Rockler's original case study.
Rockler serves woodworking enthusiasts and professionals with a differentiated assortment of tools, hardware and supplies. Bringing new products to market requires accurate information, strong creative content and coordination across multiple teams.
With more than a thousand new products introduced annually during the period described in the case study, the work behind every launch added up quickly.
Product launches depended on hundreds of spreadsheets, emails, meetings and manual handoffs. Teams spent time chasing information rather than moving products toward publication.
With information scattered across the business, it was difficult to see what was ready, what was missing and where work was waiting.
Rockler initially explored traditional product information management tools but needed more than a place to store product data. Sweft helped organize the steps, responsibilities and information required to launch products across the business.
By aligning teams around a shared process, Rockler could reduce repetitive administrative work and improve the completeness and accuracy of their extensive product content.
Rockler reported increased new-product throughput with 20% fewer labor hours, the elimination of over 400 one-off spreadsheets each year, and improvements in product information quality.
The team also identified more than 200 products already in the warehouse that had not yet been activated online.
Fewer spreadsheet updates, meetings and email handoffs.
More complete information for packaging, signage, copy, imagery and videos.
Teams could focus more attention on product marketing instead of chasing information.
One year after Rockler launched on Sweft, the project's executive sponsor reflected on the impact:
“We've grown our business by over 50% since launching Sweft and have hired many new employees. Because processes are built into Sweft, it was much easier to train new employees and keep productivity high. Previously, everyone used different processes, had different spreadsheet formats, etc. We never could have kept up with business growth without a solution like Sweft! I would highly recommend Sweft to any retailer that launches a lot of new products and values high-quality product content. With all the workflow collaboration tools, this is so much more than a PIM. It allows everyone from merchandising, marketing, creative and even supply chain to be rowing in the same direction and ultimately produce the best product shopping experience for our customers.”
A different retail category, with the same need to coordinate teams and product information.
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