Road Map - Looking Forward
Since becoming Product Owner at FBS, the CRM team and I, have worked closely to build and follow our product road map. This isn’t always an easy task as research and development projects often give way to infrastructure and development projects. For those that missed it, a few months ago, we compiled a retrospective of the major projects completed over the last 12 - 24 months, see article here.
Looking forward, the road map continues to evolve, with the following currently on the horizon for 2022.
Harmony Back Office
Web and Marketplace integration: An online presence nowadays means more than just a website. It is common to see customers sell across a multitude of online marketplaces. FBS are in discussions with two companies to develop an integration that will allow marketplace orders to poll directly into Harmony directly via API. Watch this space.
Single Touch Payroll Phase 2. We are on track to complete our development for the phase 2 of STP.
End of Month processing. This may be a few ‘roll overs’ away, but we have finished the initial scoping phase to allow the EOM process to be run in multi-user mode. This means that EOM processing will not need to wait until everyone logs off Harmony to run this process.
Product Information Management: We are commencing a project to build a standalone PIM
Winpos
Java: We have almost completed development for a major change to Winpos’ reliance on Java version 7. This will remove the need to block Java updates for each Winpos terminal.
Smart Search Bar: We are improving the search bar capabilities within Winpos. Currently the search bar is restricted to look up stock by its barcode or description. New development will provide the ability to scan the following directly into the smart search bar. Stock transfers. Invoices for quick refunds. Sales and Web Orders for finalisation or amendment. Customers mobile number or email address.
Datatools: A project currently in development is an improvement to address completion and validation via Datatools. Similar to website implementations, the Winpos screen will display an inline address as you type and auto populate the address fields.
Store to Store Stock Transfers: Freight integration for store to store (or DC) stock transfers is on the road map.
Online refunding: Provide the ability to force a refund to the original payment method for both in-store and online transactions.
Slyp: Enhancements to our Slyp integration will add the ability to SMS receipts as well as track shipped orders.
We believe that these future projects are essential for the continued growth and usability of the Harmony product suite. At the same time, we are also very much open for suggestions and welcome your feedback to help drive the road map.
What new functionality would you like to see on the road map for 2022 and beyond, taking into consideration the dynamic landscape that we have all experienced over the last 18 months of the pandemic?
The FBS Road Map is online and available to be viewed. To gain access, please contact your CRM or send an email to crm@fbsaust.com.au.
Eyal Geiger
Product Owner