CHARLE Co., Ltd

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Successful Database Renewal and Integration Achieving Optimum Search Speeds and Performance Levels with Symfoware

This example is a translation of an article that originally appeared on Fujitsu's Japanese Web site.

Charle Corporation had already built a data warehouse (DWH) but, after a review, had determined to replace it.
The replacement system provided what can only be described as ideal results in terms of response time and usability.
The product that made this possible was Symfoware, Fujitsu’s database and business intelligence platform.
Applying Symfoware not only enabled Charle to replace its existing DWH, but also to integrate the separate databases that existed for each application, at a stroke reducing both the workload and the cost of operations.

Establishing a DWH to Optimize Data Use

Through the strategy of organizing try-on parties in agents’ and customers’ homes, Charle became a successful vendor of women’s underwear.
This success is supported by a network of approximately 2,400 agencies and 180,000 subsidiary distributors, as well as millions of customers known as "Mates".

In 1995, Charle distributed PCs to almost all of its employees and built up a local area network system to connect these computers. At the same time they focused on establishing and using a DWH.

The primary goal of introducing a DWH was to improve productivity. All employees have free access to the DWH, from which they can retrieve information as and when required.
Employees can also analyze the data using tools of their choice to investigate sales trends and sales activities at agencies.

In explaining the purpose of systematization, Mr. Kouzo Tanimoto, the Information System Group Manager, says: "We used to have to submit a formal request form to the System Division whenever we needed data stored in the host computer, which increased the amount of time it took to receive data. Having a DWH saves labor and time and promotes the use of information."

Replacing the DWH without Affecting Performance

However, sales data accumulated in much larger amounts than expected, reaching 30 million over two years. Consequently the company was unable to meet customer requests and had to dedicate many hours to aggregating data. The resulting workaround solutions involved, for example, changing the accumulated data into monthly aggregated data rather than detailed data.

Replacement of the PCs distributed to employees was another of the reasons for replacing the DWH, and in 2000, the PCs were upgraded to Fujitsu computers with Windows 98 operating systems. However, because the tool for DWH access was specific to Windows 3.1, each group had to reconcile itself to the irregular solution of keeping one or two Windows 3.1 machines to allow access to the DWH.

Investigations then began into how to replace the DWH and avoid having to keep the older operating systems.

Symfoware Reduces Costs and Improves System Integration

Charle started to summarize requirements in the spring of 2001 and invited offers from software vendors, resulting in the plan for construction of the new DWH being finalized in October 2001.
It was at this time that Fujitsu's outstanding proposals and product groups were adopted.

According to recalls Mr. Takuya Bo, the team leader of the DWH Build-up/Product Distribution Task Force team in the Information System Group, "The main reason for selecting Fujitsu was the comprehensive strengths of its system, including cost effectiveness and support systems. They had met our requirements completely and it was very easy for us to picture their proposal more vividly than that of any other company. They were also more experienced in implementing the solution."

Charle thus adopted Symfoware Parallel Server for its DWH database, Symfoware Navigator Server as its analysis tool, and PRIMEPOWER and PRIMERGY as server hardware.
"I believe Symfoware Parallel Server and Symfoware Navigator Server are very simple and easy to use. PRIMEPOWER's strength is its high stability and powerful architecture," said Mr. Bo.

In the following year, Charle started to build up its DWH in a two-phase operation. Initially, all employees were provided with Symfoware Navigator Server's client-server type search system, then in May 2002, they received an interface that enables Web-based searching of the DWH.

The ability to choose between two search methods is one of the major characteristics of the new system.
For Web-based searches, the necessary search menu templates are provided to all personnel, from board members down to regular employees.
Heavy users install the Symfoware Navigator client software in their computer. Using a variety of commands they can search the DWH using detailed criteria such as product name, region, or date.

Active Use of Data, Possibility of Building a CRM System

"No matter how complicated the specified search criteria, we can retrieve desired data in just a few minutes. Accessing the DWH is part of the morning routine for many employees, and we rate this DWH very highly because it is so easy to use." says Mr. Tanimoto.

Improved operability is another major benefit.
Agency information sources, sales information sources, and sales and marketing databases that were previously separate entities have been integrated, leading to a significant reduction in the burden on system operations.

The process of improving Charle’s information system has accelerated. For example, the creation of a database of product attributes, which was behind schedule, is now forging ahead. The implementation of a CRM system, which brings together the sales support system and the DWH, is also in progress.
Charle has great hopes for Symfoware, the database and business intelligence solution at the core of these new systems.

Company Overview

CHARLE Co., Ltd
Head Office: 3-1-2 Yasakadai, Suma-ku, Kobe 654-0192
Established: November, 1975
Capital: 3.6 billion yen (as of September, 2002)
Number of employees: 400 (as of September, 2002)
Sales amount: 40.452 billion yen (as of March, 2002)
URL: http://www.charle.co.jp/
Overview of operations:Third-ranked in the lingerie industry. Developing and distributing comfortable and functionally superior products and selling them through nationwide agencies and distributors at try-on sessions.