The Client
Unilever
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast-moving consumer goods in three global divisions--Foods, Home Care and Personal Care.
In many parts of the world, Unilever leads the Home Care market, with much-loved brands such as Omo, Surf, Comfort and Cif.
Unilever's Personal Care brands are recognized and respected around the world. They produce soaps and shampoos, deodorants and anti-perspirants, toothpastes and hand creams.
Project Deployment Summary:
The aim was to capitalise on the worldwide reach of the Internet to enable research firms to fast-track data directly to the central database-securely, cost effectively, and in a way that built upon the work already done to collate local data in spreadsheets.
The new ebusiness solution was selected for its proven ability to manage high volumes of complex data, and because it supported Unilever Bestfoods’ timescales and goals for efficiency. It enables developers to create specialized, rapidly-built applications for entering, manipulating and formatting data, with seamless links to corporate databases. Running wherever they are required-on a web server, in a web browser, in a database-the reports are easily deployed and maintained from a central location.
The Challenges
- To manage high volumes of complex data.
- Implementing a highly-controlled, straight-through process for gathering data.
- To support a large user population on the browser without network clogging.
Business Benefits, Technical Differentiators
Implementing a highly-controlled, straight-through process for gathering data has greatly reduced the potential for errors and refined the quality of information available for corporate reporting
Fewer delays mean market intelligence reaches senior executives faster, supporting an even more responsive approach to consumer needs and market trends
With data now entered only once-no re-keying necessary-and worldwide standards for input and transmission, efficiency has been raised significantly, while the fundamental (and successful) business process remains intact
With worldwide maintenance now carried out over the extranet from one Unilever Bestfoods location, maintenance and support costs have been centralized and reduced
The solution strengthens Unilever Bestfoods’ relationship with its research partners. They have made efficiency gains, capitalized on their considerable spreadsheet skills, and are now sending data for the cost of a brief local call