Situation
Glenbrook assisted a leading multinational grocer wrestling with the increasing challenges of payment acceptance, handling, and processing. The stability of their payment gateway provider had become a serious and costly concern. Frequent outages were costing them millions of dollars in lost transactions due to server downtown, unreliable system configurations and failed database updates. Our client was seeking to first solve the short-term operational issues and secondarily to develop a longer-term strategy and capabilities roadmap based on industry developments and subsequent payment needs.
Approach
Glenbrook worked closely with the client to deep dive into existing system components, configuration, and operations of their current and planned payments acceptance capabilities. Once the information gathering and initial assessment was complete, Glenbrook conducted a more thorough analysis of the options generally available to other large multi-store retailers. The evaluation included addressing processing redundancies, expansion of credit acceptance, and PCI compliance. In the second phase of work, Glenbrook further evaluated payment acceptance best practices, the strategic role of payments and conducted a gap analysis to understand the potential growth opportunities that would inform the recommended payments roadmap. To conclude its efforts, Glenbrook then lead the client through a vendor analysis process to identify a processing partner best positioned to assist the client with their longer-term strategic growth plans.
Impact
Glenbrook provided our client with thoughtful guidance to immediately shore up offline processing capabilities supported new tender types. Glenbrook identified system architecture improvements to increase reliability and expand flexibility. After fighting lengthy processor downtime at store checkout operations, the new commercial arrangement was expected to provide secure and robust payment handling and save the client over 30% in annual operating costs.
Client Testimonial
“ALDI utilized Glenbrook partners in 2015-2016 on various electronic payments projects. From the first phone call with Allen, it was clear that this team know everything there is to know about payments. Throughout the engagement, Glenbrook was thoughtful, backed up recommendations with industry best practice and knowledge, and more importantly kept our well-being at the forefront of every conversation!
Involving Glenbrook for our electronic payments projects over the last year was a game changer. We would not be where we are at in the projects without the hard work and dedication of George and Bryan. They never missed a deadline and worked hard on our behalf to create a high quality RFP that produced valuable insights, and in the end, saved us a lot of money!
I would highly recommend Glenbrook’s services to anyone looking for a valued partner in the payments space. We also attended one of their payments Boot Camps, which was invaluable in learning more about a very complex industry. All products and services we have received from Glenbrook have exceeded expectations.”
Greg Strom
Director of National IT, ALDI