Celebrating a Quarter Century: Cognizant and Ace Hardware's Journey in E-Commerce Innovation

Celebrating 25 Years of Partnership: Cognizant and Ace Hardware

In an unprecedented collaboration spanning a quarter of a century, Cognizant and Ace Hardware have marked their 25-year partnership by making significant strides in next-generation e-commerce and supply chain innovation. Their journey illustrates a steadfast commitment to modernizing retail through the integration of advanced technology and innovative strategies.

A Dynamic Transformation

Over the years, Cognizant has played a crucial role in Ace Hardware's digital transformation, initiating with a robust overhaul of legacy systems to adopt SAP. This fundamental change has laid the groundwork for numerous enhancements aimed at improving e-commerce, supply chain logistics, and retailer-facing tools, tailored specifically for Ace's cooperative model.

This transformation is pivotal as it empowers Ace Hardware to maintain its identity as 'The Helpful Place' - a brand that prides itself on providing personalized shopping experiences in both physical stores and online. The partnership has allowed Ace to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market, responding to consumer demands for seamless digital experiences.

Recent Innovations

In recent years, Cognizant and Ace have collaborated on deploying Manhattan Warehouse Management systems across over ten Ace distribution centers in the United States. This project, completed in two years, has substantially enhanced warehouse efficiency, showcasing the effectiveness of strategic digital solutions in improving operational performance.

Additionally, the partnership has led to the development of an enterprise pricing solution and numerous ongoing digitization initiatives. These efforts focus on enhancing speed, reliability, and operational efficiency across various facets of Ace's operations, directly translating to better service delivery to customers.

One striking achievement came in the form of a digital version of Ace's annual spring convention, launched in record time to adapt to shifting market conditions. This exemplifies the ability of both teams to respond swiftly to urgent demands, delivering critical digital experiences on tight timelines.

The Impact of E-Commerce Growth

Thanks to their strategic partnership, Ace Hardware has witnessed remarkable e-commerce growth, with its online sales surging over 450% since 2019. This growth can be attributed to rigorous investments in cutting-edge technology and the implementation of robust digital strategies, driven by the collaboration with Cognizant.

Rick Williams, Ace Hardware's Chief Information Officer, states, "Cognizant's partnership has played an integral role in our modernization journey. By developing solutions that align with our business vision, we've managed to strengthen our operations and enhance our e-commerce channel while fostering the personal touch that our retailers are known for."

A Trusted Partnership

Cognizant's Senior Vice President and Retail Business Unit Head, Sushant Warikoo, also expressed pride in the enduring partnership, stating, "Our collaboration with Ace Hardware is a testament to what modern retail experiences can be. By merging our retail expertise with next-generation technologies, we are proud to support Ace in accelerating innovation while bolstering a community-focused retail experience."

Additionally, Velu Ekambaram, Cognizant’s Senior Vice President and Global Head of Delivery for Cognizant Americas, highlighted the importance of this partnership: "Together, we've continually focused on refining Ace's operational strategies, improving the speed, quality, and scalability of their solutions in an ever-changing market landscape."

Looking Ahead

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, those who can rapidly innovate and modernize are set to thrive. With a strong foundation built over 25 years, Ace Hardware is already reaping the benefits from its modernization efforts. By partnering with Cognizant, Ace is shaping a future where resilient, AI-enabled retail is the norm, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the industry.

As both companies look ahead, their shared vision of creating impactful retail experiences will undoubtedly drive the next wave of growth and innovation in the years to come.