Barlows Cycles
Barlows Cycles was first opened in 1949 and remained relatively unchanged with paper records, telephone ordering and one simple till until Nik Budden and his partner Amanda Dalton took over the business in November 2004. At the same time they decided to install broadband and embrace technology and the business has flourished as a result.
In June 2005 the company won the actnow ICT award for most improved business through the use of ICT as the judges believed the business had made great use of technology from electronic communications to full electronic supply chain management.
Nik Budden, says
“This is recognition of the improvements we have made to the business. Similar improvements are being made by businesses all over St Austell and what we are achieving through broadband is part of the whole regeneration of the town. We have used the £500 prize to buy a new work station for the office as the old one was groaning under the weight of applications.”
Broadband technology is now at the centre of how Barlows Cycles runs. All stock orders and deliveries are placed and tracked online. They can link to suppliers stock control systems to check back orders and are able to check stock availability easily for customers by just using a laptop on the shop counter.
“Our website allows customers to place orders for parts online and they can then collect from us or have orders delivered to home. It also allows people to book cycle hire as well. We offer a broadband wireless hotspot free to anyone in our building and try and do as much communication as possible by email.”
Barlows are also moving into electronic supply chain management. One of their suppliers is looking to develop an electronic point of sale system that would mean that whenever Barlows sell one of their products, an order for the same item would then automatically be placed. The system would also act as a database for customer information including contact and purchase details which would help future sales plans and forecasts.
“Barlows’ turnover has increased dramatically, and we foresee greater returns in the future as we expand into specialist areas of cycling such as ‘Women Specific Design’, BMXs and scooters. We have recently upgraded our server to allow for a real-time web based cycle hire booking system which we hope to install over the next few months and are also looking into the possibility of taking on a bike mechanic who would be our first member of staff.”
