CASE STUDY & EXPERIENCE
Processing Cost Reduction
W. Capra worked with a major retail petroleum company to review their interchange spend and its substantiation and identified a course of action to improve the fee qualification, thus reducing costs. We executed a proven process to identify causes for the large gap in fees and the resulting reasons for downgrades. Implementing our recommended changes to their systems and processes resulted in approximately $1.5M in annual savings to this company's bottom line. This project also allowed us to validate the current interchange trends and compare current data to industry benchmarks.
Card Acceptance Consolidation
We have led two large projects to consolidate the card acceptance across two portfolios due to mergers and acquisitions. These have both been major retail petroleum companies each with 13,000+ sites. This involved reviewing the separate card portfolios and consolidated strategy, analyzing the rate structures and processing options, identifying a way forward and working with the POS vendors, processors, and head office settlement applications to consolidate portfolios and present a consistent offer to their consumers across their entire patch. Both projects involved changes in all platforms (POS, processor, head office applications. We led these projects from beginning to successful end.
Major Processor Migration
W. Capra led a major effort to migrate all the card volume from one processor to another for a major retail petroleum company. The new processing environment replicated and improved the business functionality provided by the existing system, with equivalent or better transaction processor response time and availability. A transaction processor disaster recovery environment and process was also provided. The new processor developed interfaces to the existing site telecommunications, settlement systems, e-mail systems, POS systems and accounting systems.
Cash Management and Retail Payments
We have extensive experience in the cash management and retail payments industries, providing expertise and leadership for payment analyses including PIN debit card acceptance, marketer processing fee structures and overall payment process strategies for major petroleum US retail networks. We have directed business development activities for successful transformation projects of electronic payment authorization processes including beta planning review and implementation. Initiated, negotiated and managed new banking and payment network relationships to give access to new market areas and improve reliability and efficiency of service offerings. We represented organizations on various retail payments industry related councils including both public and private sector payment systems.
Fraud Identification Programs
We have provided technical and analytical expertise to several fraud identification and deterrent programs. We analyzed detailed transaction logs and implemented specific fraud detection capability. Working with internal security experts and the FBI, we assisted in various operations to identify and capture fraud perpetrators. We are currently leading an effort to implement zip code prompting at the dispenser for a major retail petroleum company. This includes working the POS vendors, testing, and deploying.
Nationwide Credit Card Acceptance Program
W. Capra provided leadership to a major industry shifting initiative to implement a nationwide credit card acceptance program at the world's largest quick service restaurant. We coordinated vendor evaluation seminars and participated in the RFP process for credit card processing service providers. We also participated on the leadership team for RFP response evaluations and vendor selection. Managed and tracked activities between the different departments (Systems, Operations, Procurement, Accounting, and Marketing) and external card processing service providers. Following implementation, we assisted in the initial phases of their gift card program.
Card Processor Transition
For a regional retail petroleum operator, we led a card processor change effort by assessing their current processor arrangement and analyzing their transaction volume against several other processor fee structures. We helped them plan for the required POS changes, settlement process changes and eventual migration.
POS Deployment
W. Capra has managed 5 simultaneous POS deployment projects to over 9,000 retail sites for a major retail petroleum company. This included establishing implementation processes and procedures, creating standards for system configuration, and on-site installation and training. Managing multiple deployment teams from multiple vendors in multiple markets was required.
Global POS System
We have led the design, build, and test activities for integrating a new global POS system with existing legacy applications.
POS Support
For the largest quick service restaurant company, W. Capra led efforts to establish testing, deployment and support processes for pilots of new Point-of-Sale solutions in several countries. We also provided leadership to the implementation and support of several efficiency gaining store applications.
POS Governance
We have implemented a 50 store pilot program for a client's future POS system, which introduced a graphical interface, camera solution for drive thru sequencing and customer order center concept.
QA Lab Management
We have managed the QA lab for new global site systems for a major retail petroleum company. This included establishing test strategies and plans and working with several global teams and vendors to execute. We have completed many test cycles for a Germany release and for several U.S. releases. We have built POS QA labs and have managed many POS QA cycles thru to completion.
Site Telecom RFPs
W. Capra has led several site telecommunication selections and implementations from beginning to end. We have done this with multiple major retail petroleum companies with slightly different business strategies while achieving the same level of success. These projects have all involved site architecture, RFP process (vendor identification, selection, procurement, contract negotiation), SLA development, migration planning, and deployment.
Broadband Services
We led an RFP effort for the delivery of broadband services for all retail sites of a major petroleum company. We have conducted challenge sessions in which we brought in qualified vendors to present solutions to address the broadband network requirements. This helped to expedite the identification and selection of qualified vendors.
Broadband Deployment
We led two efforts to deploy new site broadband to retail sites. One was focused on company owned sites and included a new back office PC with various applications. The other was focused on a marketer channel and included new payment technology.
Cost Savings and Innovation
W. Capra has extensive depth in the integration of site telecommunications with site and head office applications and understands the operational impacts of efficient and robust architectures. We also understand the cost saving opportunities and innovation that can be enabled by broadband at retail sites.
Retail Site Architecture
W. Capra has led several site architecture projects resulting in documents and governance processes that define the groundwork for integrating new equipment and applications at the retail sites. These have been done for U.S. and global retailers.
Retail Site Systems Deployment
We provided global and U.S. architectural leadership for a program to deploy common retail site systems in multiple countries for multiple channels of trade. This involved detailed site architectures for POS, backoffice and other site-based applications integrated with broadband. This also included all encompassing integration architectures for head office applications, including B2B, EDI, and utilizing the NAXML standard.
Technical Architecture
We have served as the technical architect on multiple RFP projects to select global standard retail technologies, including POS hardware and software, forecourt controllers, card processing systems, and overall systems integration services. W. Capra has also acted as an enterprise business architect, advising clients about strategic initiatives on operational implications of technology selection while directing tactical project teams on how to implement new technology initiatives. Our knowledge encompasses a unique blend of legacy to cutting edge technologies. This knowledge allows W. Capra to identify and address the organizational impacts of information technology, and help clients to redesign business processes to capitalize on today's enabling technologies.