Barlows, manages roll-out store refurbishment programmes within stringent time requirements following implementation of Asta Powerproject Enterprise software

Faced with a demanding schedule of retail and leisure outlet projects at any one time, Barlows needed a project management software package that would enable precise project planning for both a company-wide view and on an individual project level.

Asta Powerproject Enterprise enables Barlows to overcome several challenges associated with the retail environment; in particular ensuring that each store refit is completed with as little disruption to trading hours as possible. By minimising store down-time through precise project management, Barlows is able to ensure its customers’ profitability is not compromised.

Asta Powerproject Enterprise helps Barlows manage and forecast demands on time, labour and resources across all projects at the same time.  The offering of a ‘global view’ over all jobs throughout the company was an influential factor in Barlows selecting the enterprise version of Asta Powerproject Enterprise.  The resource capabilities of the software have revolutionised task management as a business solution for Barlows operations and in turn for customer satisfaction.  

One example is of McDonalds’ plan to expand the number of outlet refurbishments it was undertaking in its ongoing fit-out programme. Using Asta Powerproject Enterprise meant Barlows was able to forecast the additional labour and time needed to carry out the work, book sub-contractors, place orders with suppliers and plan weekly schedules, at the same time as sustaining its existing phase of work for McDonald’s.

The ability to micro-manage a project, and each contractor, supplier and staff member on a weekly, daily and even hourly basis has meant that at time-critical stages of a project, Barlows is able to use Asta Powerproject Enterprise to understand the time, and therefore cost, implications of changes to lead times. The enterprise version of Asta Powerproject enables multiple users to access the same project plan at the same time and make updates.

“We have been using Asta Powerproject Enterprise for four months now and we are already impressed by the capabilities it offers us.  The ability to view, plan and forecast across all jobs at one time has been invaluable to the company in terms of saving time on site, allocating manpower effectively whilst minimising potentially costly risks. Using Asta Powerproject Enterprise we are able to quickly analyse the requirements and confirm our ability to deliver projects efficiently and to time,” explains David Williams, Pre-site Operations Manager at Barlows.