Athens Group spent the time to understand our vision and our unique business approach. They then helped design and implement a merchandise tracking system for us that provides the kind of dynamic decision making we need to run our stores effectively. Athens Group has proven to be an innovative, dependable and flexible partner.”
—Lee Aaronson CEO, Lacks Valley Stores
We focus on delivering value to business technology leaders with the following challenges:
- Constant pressure to achieve more in less time, with less resources, support corporate growth and enable rapid change
- Complex IT portfolios, including legacy systems that have become a barrier to their tactical and strategic objectives
- An IT team with deep experience in legacy systems, minimum experience in new technologies, and the ability and desire to acquire new skill sets
Our highly experienced consultants provide the most value for customers who have complex projects and problems that require innovative and practical customized solutions, and a high degree of integration. We excel in these two categories:
Business Process Innovation and Improvement
To improve business operations and functions that:
- Are process versus data-centric
- Involve heavy human interaction and cross many functional areas
- Must work across multiple channels, technologies, and applications
- Require frequent and rapid changes to support business growth
We provide cost-effective, flexible solutions that:
- Leverage existing systems
- Are flexible enough to handle dynamic process rules and changes
- Can be implemented quickly and cost-effectively to speed innovation
Example solutions and services in this area include:
- Cross-Channel Integration
- HR Process Improvement
- Legacy Evolution
- Lifecycle Price Management
- Private Label Management
- Store Execution
- Complete Services Offering
Legacy Systems Enhancement and Evolution
For strategic and enterprise-wide projects that involve:
- Extending the life of legacy systems
- Moving from legacy to modern architectures
- Rescuing a stalled project
We provide the following cost-effective, low-risk solutions and services:
Legacy Evolution
Complete Services Offering
Highly Experienced Consultants
Working collaboratively with your team, our consultants transfer their knowledge and skills for lasting improvement. Averaging more than 20 years of experience in business technology, they’ve got the know how to deliver better strategic and tactical solutions - in less time. They don’t learn on your dime, and they understand that time impacts both hard and opportunity costs.
Each Athens Group consultant brings the following value-added skills, attitudes and behaviors to every project:
Multiple disciplines. An extraordinarily high percentage of our consultants are skilled in architectural analysis, business process analysis, solution integration, project management, and other consulting disciplines. This eliminates the overhead associated with transferring knowledge and status between less experienced consultants with narrow expertise.
Business technology pragmatism. Many of our consultants are MBAs. All our consultants embody both business and technology perspectives. Unlike pure “strategy consultants,” who walk away after delivering their report, our consultants provide IT strategic planning recommendations based on their direct knowledge of what can truly be implemented. Conversely, unlike pure “technical consultants” they view technology strictly as an enabler of your business and recommend practical solutions that meet your current needs and won't box you in later.
Business process orientation. Retail is highly process oriented. Athens Group has more documented, successful retail Business Process Management (BPM) projects than any other consulting firm.
Flexibility. You may need a discrete project done simply and quickly. Other times you need someone who can help accelerate development of your overall IT strategy and technology roadmap, translate your strategic direction into detailed implementation plans and implement those plans. They do both equally well, and bring structured yet flexible consulting methods tailored to your individual project.
Knowledge transfer. Our consultants excel at earning the trust of your team with a collaborative work style and a genuine commitment to their success. They transfer knowledge throughout the project leaving you with more skilled employees who are better able to achieve your future goals.
An objective, candid opinion. Athens Group consultants are technology-neutral; our consultants are equally at home in Microsoft, Java or Open Source environments. This enables us to provide you with objective technology recommendations and risk assessments. We do not accept Package Selection engagements in any solution area where we have a partner.
An owner's attitude. Athens Group is a totally employee-owned company. Every employee is an owner and a partner in the business. Everyone understands the importance of, and is committed to, delivering a successful project - each and every time.
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