The existing integration system acted as a central platform – pulling, pushing and transforming data – between a range of different in-house and third-party downstream systems such as finance, logistics, payments, digital assets and websites. The platform also took on key business logic including injecting order data into emails, CRM texts and package label printing.

PMC’s approach was to untangle the complex web of data integrations and business logic, transforming the retailer’s enterprise architecture one piece at a time.

A key aspect of this approach was the requirement to switch to Graphene within 3 months, including design, build, testing and deployment alongside decommissioning of the incumbent integration platform. This tight deadline added urgency to the project.

In the early feasibility stages of the project, the team limited access to systems data, integration developers, and key business users due to the sensitivities of the task. During this initial feasibility phase, PMC independently reverse-engineered the existing platform and its over one hundred integrations using only configuration data, input and output examples, and sparse documentation.

When feasibility explorations confirmed the timeline and ask were achievable, broader access to the Ann Summers team was granted, enabling extensive collaboration.

Through strict business-outcome focused prioritisation, deep collaboration through digital tools and hour-by-hour engagement, proactive risk management and business communications, and clearly defined progress milestones allowing a no-fault exit, we delivered the project successfully.