Datamatic has been selling IT goods for 30 years, starting with printers and devices
before expanding into computer components and software packages. Business has continued to grow and the company now also sells more than 40,000 assembled PCs a year. It has 160 branded software products and was awarded ISO 9001 certification for commercial and PC manufacturing in 1997.
Customer demand was so great that Datamatic created a network of franchisees to sell its products and there are more than 130 outlets – called Wellcome stores -throughout Italy. These franchises are staffed by highly-qualified technical specialists who provide advice and client support to companies and individuals. Services include pre and post-sales support, hardware, software network installation and maintenance plus training courses. Datamatic grew by 30 per cent in 2000 overall while its franchising network grew by 60 per cent.

Datamatic wanted to streamline the management of its retailing network on a standard software platform. Franchisees are involved in several business processes such as issuing invoices and receipt notes as well as managing returns. They need easy access to information such as prices updates and stock availability. Datamatic executives recognised that a front-end solution could offer the cohesion and uniformity needed to make the sales network as effective and efficient as possible.

Enrico Martini, executive manager, Datamatic, says: "We felt the need for standardisation and operational rationalisation. We wanted to offer franchisees a tool to give them the support of an innovative and winning group."