Art Computer’s Digital Transformation with Teamwork Commerce

This case study details the digital transformation of ART Computer, an Apple Premium Partner in Switzerland, specifically focusing on their Lausanne store’s transition to the Teamwork Commerce unified commerce platform.

Summary

ART Computer sought to modernize its retail operations to match the premium nature of the Apple ecosystem. By moving away from legacy systems, the retailer successfully achieved a “clean desk” environment, significantly reduced customer processing times, and unified their sales, inventory, and service workflows into a single mobile interface.

The Challenge: Fragmented Systems and Friction

Before the digital overhaul, ART Computer faced significant operational friction caused by legacy hardware and disconnected software. The staff had to navigate complex interfaces and manage multiple devices to complete basic tasks.

• Inefficient Processes: Simple tasks like registrations and billing were cumbersome. “In the past, we were supposed to print two times the invoice, one time for us, one time for the customer.”

• Hardware Clutter: Staff were weighed down by excessive equipment. “In the past all my team was using a Mac, a tablet and an iPhone so they were like carrying all the stuff with them.”

• Legacy Software Complexity: Accessing data in their previous system was a slow, multi-step process. Referring to their old ERP, the representative noted, “It was a mess. Honestly, it’s a mess.”

The Strategy: Unified Mobile Commerce

The core of the strategy was the implementation of Teamwork POS on iOS devices, integrating payment processing through Adyen and consolidating multiple service windows into one application.

• The “One Tool” Philosophy: The goal was to consolidate everything. “Everything is integrated into the same platform… only one tablet that redirects every tool we need to use daily.”

• Mobile Flexibility: By moving away from fixed desks, the store became more dynamic. “My team don’t need to stand behind the desk. They can move with the tablet… So we are more alive in the shop.”

The Global Advantage: Cross-Country Implementation

A standout feature of this transition was the ease with which ART Computer could manage its footprint across Switzerland’s diverse linguistic and regional borders. The implementation was described as a “breeze” due to the native flexibility of the cloud-based platform.

Localized Agility

The system effortlessly handles the complexities of a multi-lingual market:

• Multi-Lingual Output: ART Computer can now cater to Switzerland’s diverse population instantly. As the representative noted, “To be able to send [invoices] in English, French, German… that’s really a cool thing.”

• Regional Fluidity: The software allows for a borderless customer experience. “A customer from Lugano can come in here in Lausanne, buy something with us and still receive the invoice in Italian.”

Simplified Deployment

The technical rollout was seamless compared to traditional ERP deployments:

• Plug-and-Play: The transition was described as “really smooth, really really smooth because we had nothing [to do] except starting the software on the tablet.”

• App Store Accessibility: By leveraging the Apple ecosystem, scaling to new locations is as simple as a download. “You can just go to the Apple Store, you download the application, and everything is registered directly.”

Key Results & Operational Impact

The transition led to immediate improvements in speed, customer experience, and data visibility.

Conclusion

The transformation at ART Computer demonstrates that modernizing retail is not just about new software, but about removing the physical and digital barriers between the staff and the customer. As Alexis concluded: “There’s no comparison available to do between the old system and the one we have now… it’s really different and for the best.”