This interview was originally published on Åhléns’ intranet and is shared here with Åhléns’ permission.
Dan Sone discusses the work behind Åhléns’ extensive IT restructuring program, focusing on integrations, architecture, and the final, crucial stage from blueprint to operational reality.
Åhléns has around 60 IT systems, depending on how you count them, and ten of these are being replaced as part of the program. The IT environment consists of 288 integrations, 236 of which will be new—in other words, this is a comprehensive and technically demanding undertaking. But what does a field like “integrations” actually entail? Dan Sone provided some insight at the latest Open House, and the simple explanation is all the connections between systems in a system landscape. To elaborate a bit further:
“I usually compare it to the roads and pathways connecting buildings in a city. My role at IT-Restructure is to ensure that everyone has the same understanding of what needs to be built, that nothing is overlooked or built unnecessarily, and, not least, that everyone can see where we stand in the work.”
“It may seem that way, since integrations are a central part of an architecture. Architecture encompasses much more than integrations: how the business operates, what information and data are needed, which applications should be used, infrastructure, security, as well as the management and planning of IT development.”
“We’re replacing the large, central systems—it’s a bit like replacing the heart and lungs. So even though we aren’t replacing that many systems, a great many integrations are being replaced. We’ll have nearly 300 integrations in the landscape, over 200 of which are new. This places high demands on organization and order in our work, from requirements through development to testing and deployment.”
Åhléns has many specialized systems with a high degree of integration to effectively support its broad business model—this makes its system landscape more complex than that of other players who may focus on e-commerce or brick-and-mortar stores. “
“We’ve come a long way. The roadmap for Åhléns’ new system landscape is complete, the systems are in place, and most of the integrations have been built. Now we’re working on the final details while testing what’s already been completed. This is a team effort where everyone’s contributions are absolutely crucial to reaching our goal.”
About Dan Sone:
Not surprisingly, Dan likes things to be organized and to understand how everything fits together—preferably through images, maps, and diagrams. His assignments often involve helping to analyze and visualize how a business operates and how it is supported by IT, with the aim of identifying areas for improvement. He is often entrusted with developing a vision and helping to support or lead parts of the change process, as is the case here at Åhléns.
In addition to his love of organization and keeping things in order, he’s also really into sailing and skiing. And of course, he studies both nautical charts and ski trail maps to keep track of the best coves and the best north-facing slopes with powder snow!
The family-owned company Åhléns was founded in 1899 in Insjön and is today one of Sweden’s strongest brands, with department stores throughout Sweden and an online store at www.åhlens.se.
Åhléns offers over 1,000 of its own and external brands and services in the areas of beauty, fashion, and home.
Services offered at select department stores include tailoring, shoe repair, hair salons, beauty treatments, cafés, and restaurants.
Åhléns has annual sales of 4.3 billion, and each year approximately 3,000 skilled employees welcome 60 million visitors. Åhléns Outlet and Designtorget are subsidiaries. Åhléns’ principal owner and CEO is Ayad Al-Saffar.
Anchor Management Consulting is a Swedish management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations navigate complex changes in operations, IT, and digital transformation.
With extensive experience in large-scale transformation programs, IT architecture, and governance, Anchor supports its clients from vision and planning through implementation to achieving tangible results.
