Nation’s Largest Boating Retailer to Streamline Supply Chain, Enhance Customer Experience

Nation’s Largest Boating Retailer to Streamline Supply Chain, Enhance Customer Experience

IBM announced today that the nation’s largest boat retailer, MarineMax, is implementing an on demand solution to link sales directly to distributors and suppliers, speeding delivery to customers and improving supply-chain efficiency.

IBM’s on demand technology will connect MarineMax’s new e-commerce Web site (www.BoatingGearCenter.com) directly to key distributor Brunswick Boat Group, allowing for real-time online order entry and inventory tracking. As a result, MarineMax’s global customers will be able to view and select from more than 7,800 products, such as life-jackets, rafts, inner tubes and safety and cleaning equipment.

“We are now able to better serve our customers and respond faster to the marketplace trends, while reducing costs due to inventory inefficiencies,” said MarineMax vice president of information technology Brett McGill. “We expect to increase our supply chain efficiencies by 25 percent, in addition to saving hundreds of hours in development time.”

Previously, MarineMax customers could research and purchase boating accessories only when visiting a MarineMax showroom, ordering items via catalogue or by visiting partner websites. Now customers can obtain personalized service and information as new products are rolled out.

The Florida-based company will install a combination of IBM’s software and hardware portfolio including IBM’s Tivoli Storage Manager, IBM’s TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller and IBM eServer BladeCenters to integrate, serve, back up and manage all customer, inventory and product information across all of the company’s retail channels.

Read the complete Press Release