'This has proven to be an extremely valuable tool for those occasions when there have been last-minute changes to the planogram that would have caused us to miss our past, 'paper-based' distribution deadlines,' said Delaney. In addition, because we've created automated links from InterCept to other systems, decisions made in one area of the company are now automatically communicated to the departments and systems they affect.' Phasing out the flat-file approach to space management, Best Buy is also bringing in a new Web-based approach to planogram distribution, which allows its stores to view planograms as Adobe PDF files. 'Now, we have a robust system application that interfaces with other systems in the company, such as inventory allocation and point-of-sale sign production.

'Before we implemented the database with Intactix, Space Management had a stand-alone system that was a series of flat files on a shared network folder,' said Best Buy Director of Space Process Flora Delaney. With its customized Intactix interface in place, Best Buy is now linking its Intactix software, space management data, and planograms with other systems in the company, including internal supply chain systems, inventory allocation systems, and point-of-sale sign systems, among others. However, Best Buy's space management team is already seeing the benefits of tying space management solutions, from software maker Intactix, into Best Buy's central datamart. Best Buy is the nation's largest volume specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software, and appliances through 354 stores in 37 states. The space management and planogram pages of Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co., Inc.'s Intranet site draw approximately 135,000 hits per week, making them the most frequently visited sections of the retailer's Intranet site.

Planograms not just for retail anymore