Case Study: Value Drug Mart Associates achieves automated B2B ordering — 35% less manual order entry and 40% fewer support calls with Rogue Wave Software (Zend Server)

Automating Retail Chain Operations with PHP and Zend

Value Drug Mart Associates, based in Edmonton, Alberta, is an association of independently owned pharmacies and convenience stores that needed to standardize and automate B2B web processes to keep pace with network growth. Facing disparate ordering methods (fax, email, phone) and limited visibility into inventory and orders, Value Drug Mart Associates engaged Rogue Wave Software and its Zend Server for IBM i solution to build a PHP-based, web-enabled ordering and fulfillment platform.

Rogue Wave Software’s Zend Server (with Zend Studio) was used to develop and deploy a PHP front end that automated ordering, inventory lookups and fulfillment monitoring in just five months. The solution now supports more than 300 stores, provides real‑time access to a 16,000‑item catalog, reduced manual keying at the distribution center by up to 35% and cut retail support calls by over 40%, while improving troubleshooting, monitoring and overall site performance.

Value Drug Mart Associates

Scott Campbell

Programmer Analyst