Gary Stonell, SVP Sales and OperationsRetail professionals Janet Hawkins, Rick Peters, and Ian Long identified the core problem crippling store operations, attributing it to antiquated paper-based systems, ineffective communication channels and poor time management. Managers struggled to decode endless directives while associates scrambled to act on them. Promotions launched late, shelves stayed half-finished and sales quietly slipped away.
For the trio, it was a structural gap and not just operational inefficiency. Point-of-sale systems managed transactions and inventory tools tracked stock, but there was nothing to support daily execution, the very heartbeat of retail. Refusing to accept that void, they left their jobs to build a platform that could help retailers connect every store with clarity and streamline communication across the board.
That conviction gave rise to OPSCENTER, Opterus’ flagship product. By 2010, Opterus entered the market as a one-stop shop, solving operational-specific execution challenges, task management, communications, social collaboration, and empowering frontline associates.
The company opted for an independent, methodical growth strategy, steering clear of the typical venture capital path and influence of private equity. Supported by a sole angel investor, the company grew organically, focusing on sustainable development to build a trusted brand centered on customer needs.
“We have the runway and freedom to grow on our own terms. Our angel investor gives us full leeway to do what we believe is right for our customers at any given time, and that allows us to grow organically,” says Gary Stonell, SVP sales and operations. “We invest more of our resources into nurturing and maintaining our clients, and that’s why they stay.”
Today, the results speak for themselves. A true measure of Opterus’ success is the fact that its very first client, Designer Brands Canada, has stayed with the company for 15 years.
A FLEXIBLE PLATFORM FOR EVERY RETAILER
Today, Opterus serves 65 clients across 49 countries, offering solutions in 26 languages. That global footprint has been built on the strength of OPSCENTER, an intuitive, multi-modular cloud platform designed specifically for the retail industry. The system simplifies how retailers manage and execute store tasks and communications, eliminating complexity at every level. Being cloud-native, the platform requires no software installation or heavy IT oversight. Setup and configuration are fast, upgrades are automatic and the system is ready for use in a very short time.
The design reflects an operational slant: clean, simple to navigate and light enough to be maintained by business users, not tech teams. The platform’s modular structure solves the entire communications problem, whether it’s task execution, audits, surveys or collaboration. OPSCENTER consolidates everything into one place, reducing the noise and ensuring associates only see what’s relevant to them.
The platform adapts effectively to different business models. Whether it’s a large grocery chain with multiple departments or a small apparel retailer, everyone can use the same platform. OPSCENTER accommodates these differences with configurable hierarchies, allowing each business to maintain their distinct structure while still benefiting from streamlined communication and task management.
For example, billion-dollar companies like Dollar Tree and Family Dollar with over 9000 and 8000 Stores respectively and small specialty shops like Dylan’s Candy Bar, with just eight locations, find equal value in Opterus’ solution. With ISO 27001 certification and GDPR compliance, it ensures retailers around the world can deploy its solutions with confidence.
This adaptability is supported by an all-inclusive licensing model. Retailers have access to all 12 modules of OPSCENTER at no additional cost. They might start with task management, audits, or surveys. Over time, as new needs arise, clients can expand into other areas without renegotiating budgets or worrying about hidden fees. Unlimited user licenses make seasonal hiring effortless.
Training and onboarding also come without hidden costs. With software budget overruns being so common, transparent pricing gives companies a vital edge.
THE POWER OF SIMPLICITY IN A COMPLEX WORLD
OPSCENTER is designed to be intuitive for anyone familiar with email or social media, ensuring quick adoption among store staff. The real strength lies in its reporting, where every action or inaction at the store level would be visible in the real-time dashboard, offering instant visibility to headquarters.
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We have the runway and freedom to grow on our own terms. Our angel investor gives us full leeway to do what we believe is right for our customers at any given time, and that allows us to grow organically.
District leaders, for example, can instantly see which stores are on track and which are behind on tasks. Since the system integrates with existing retail tech like point-of-sale or workforce management systems, it enables direct analysis of how operational execution impacts performance.
“Our solution becomes that one pane of glass where everything happens. Store associates don't need to bounce between five or six different systems. They log into one," says Stonell.
The power of that simplicity is amplified by Opterus' OPSEngine, a ‘headless’ version of OPSCENTER that enables seamless integration with retailers’ existing technology. By using GraphQL architecture, OPSEngine enables data to flow seamlessly between systems, such as supply chain, HR, and business intelligence, without creating friction for end-users.
For an industry often burdened by high staff turnover, this unifying factor proves to be immensely valuable. Training new associates on just one system instead of five streamlines the process, minimizes errors and helps companies ensure consistent operational execution.
A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION
To further enhance client-centricity, Opterus invites clients to help shape the company's innovation roadmap. Whether through an annual client summit in Toronto, quarterly business reviews, or collaborative meetings, retailers actively shape product development. An upvoting system ensures that the most valuable features rise to the top, and once built, every client benefits.
This collective approach creates a sense of ownership among clients. Each one also has a dedicated client success manager, a support manager, and a solution consultant. On top of that, executive sponsors are assigned to address escalation needs. The structure ensures every client has multiple touchpoints and a direct line to leadership when required.
One large retailer illustrates the impact of Opterus’ solutions. Before adopting OPSCENTER, the company printed and shipped binders of strategy playbooks to 4,500 stores. The process was expensive, slow, and environmentally unsustainable. By digitizing through OPSCENTER, the retailer eliminated nearly $250,000 in printing costs and an additional $300,000 in software licensing fees, while simultaneously reducing its environmental footprint.
The transition also delivered real-time compliance visibility. Instead of waiting weeks for a district manager to discover whether a directive had been followed, headquarters could confirm execution instantly. That operational clarity translated into fewer missed sales opportunities and stronger alignment across thousands of locations.
Creating these kinds of successes for every client, every day, means continually reinvesting to meet evolving expectations. Recently, the company has invested heavily in a redesigned user interface built on modern architecture, which clients are already embracing. Looking forward, the company aims to focus on AI and learning management systems (LMS).
While AI will enable smarter content creation and intuitive search, LMS will be introduced to broaden their employee training. Together, these features reflect the company’s mission to deliver tangible value to its clients.
For Opterus, success isn’t measured in charts or revenue, instead, it's seen in the long-term relationships with clients who rely on OPSCENTER every day. By transforming complex operations into clear, easy-to-understand, and actionable processes, the company ensures that stores run smoothly, associates stay empowered, and clients maintain real-time visibility.
