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Friday, May 31, 2013

Intertape Polymer Wins Productivity Award With Foxfire WMS

Intertape Polymer Group wins Modern's annual Productivity Achievement Award in the Warehouse category for making outstanding strides in improving their operations through materials handling and related information systems. Intertape, a packaging products supplier, raised inventory accuracy to 99.996% and tripled throughput without increasing labor through the use of Foxfire's Warehouse Management Software (WMS).

Foxfire WMS is a full-function Warehouse Management Software and Distribution Control Center System supporting real-time, supply chain, order-fulfillment activities. Using wireless high-speed communications technology, it is able to direct employees in all aspects of warehousing operations, including completing tasks of highest priority.

To read more about Foxfire WMS and Intertape's Productivity Award, visit the Foxfire newsroom.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.


You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Sage ERP Gives Universal Paper and Plastics Competitive Edge

Universal Paper and Plastics was established in 1950 by the Sher family and over four generations has dedicated itself to the development of innovative everyday products, that satisfy the needs of the South African consumer market.

Universal Paper and Plastics needed an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that was capable of integrating and automating its production and supply processes. The company opted to implement Sage ERP X3 because a comprehensive production management module was of the utmost importance. With this need in mind, Sage ERP X3 was customised to provide accurate real time information at the touch of a button that greatly improved the company’s forecasting capabilities as far as waste management, fixed asset management and stock control was concerned.

Once the decision was made to go with Sage ERP X3, a comprehensive situational analysis formed the basis of the draft that outlined the functional specifications and business processes that the client required. The conversion of data from the legacy system to Sage ERP X3 started early in the implementation cycle and focused on the implementation of a manufacturing solution that was completely customised to accommodate the needs of Universal Paper and Plastics. The result was an accurate real time overview of the production process, which has the potential to greatly contribute to a reduction in operating and overhead costs.

To read more of this case study and learn if Sage ERP X3 is the right solution for your business needs, visit the Sage website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.



You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Monday, May 27, 2013

Visit VAI at June's Design & Manufacturing Show

Are you attending the Atlantic Design & Manufacturing Show Jun 18 – 20 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA?

The Atlantic Design & Manufacturing Show is one of the largest advanced design and manufacturing trade shows serving the northeastern U.S. The show features enterprise software technology which highlights the world's leading design, manufacturing, and ERP software providers. Please visit VAI at booth #4326 and see how utilizing S2K Enterprise Software can transform your business and optimize your performance! For more information and conference registration visit: http://www.cano​ntradeshows.com​/expo/atl13/

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.


You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

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Friday, May 24, 2013

Is Consumer Technology Changing Distribution Strategy?

Distribution strategy is changing as consumers become more knowledgeable about products through the use of devices like smartphones.

An recent article on the Supply & Demand Chain Executive website reports that 62% of survey respondents report using their cellphones to conduct research before making important purchases. Meanwhile, only 10% use their desktop computers for the same purposes. That means that by the time consumers call a distributor, they’ve already used their smartphone or computer to do some research on the products that are available. They’ve obtained features, advantages and benefits information, perhaps from the manufacturer’s website, or they may have even read reviews about the product from other users. How can the distribution industry be prepared to meet these new challenges? Read more of the article and research findings on the Advanced Distribution Today website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.




You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Attending the June PTDA Canadian Conference? Join Us!

Registration for the 2013 PTDA Canadian Conference is now open! Join Brown Smith Wallace and your fellow Canadian power transmission/motion control distributors as you learn together from world renowned speakers, network with your channel partners and recharge for a dynamic year of growth!

Held June 6-8, 2013 at the InterContinental Toronto Centre in Toronto, Canada, you can expect: Innovative Ideas for Immediate Implementation • Industry Showcase• Mike Lipkin of Environics discusses 10 traits of preeminent performers• Michael “Pinball” Clemons, Vice Chair of the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, talks about the importance of teamwork• Author Joe Ellers uncovers the secrets to selling value rather than price• Market briefings from end-user industries

To learn more and register, visit the PTDA website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.







You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

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Monday, May 20, 2013

Phoenix Mecano Combines Skill, Teamwork, and Absolute Value for Tremendous Results

Phoenix Mecano Inc., a manufacturer of off-the-shelf enclosures, machine control enclosures, and suspension arm systems, operates three distribution divisions and associated profit centers in the United States. Each of the divisions has its own unique customers with different business and software needs.

Because of long lead times when purchasing from sister companies overseas, customers were left dissatisfied due to insufficient resource planning. Like most companies, PM USA saw a decline in their sales during the 2009 global economic downturn, but remained financially sound. The implementation of Absolute Value's Forecasting and Replinshment System allowed the company to stock more appropriate inventory, and open up available cash.

Absolute Value focuses on the Distribution Software Industry with specific strength in Forecasting and Replenishment. Constructed of both end-user and software vendor experience, the Absolute Value team bridges a dual perspective on the complex needs of today’s distributors. To learn more about the Phonenix Mecano case study, visit the Absolute Value website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.



You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Friday, May 17, 2013

Blue Ridge Named Top 100 Logistics IT Provider by Inbound Logistics

Blue Ridge announced today that it has been selected by Inbound Logistics Magazine as a Top 100 Logistics IT Provider in 2013. For the second year in a row, Inbound Logistics recognized the Blue Ridge SaaS demand forecasting, replenishment, and analytics solutions for enabling both reductions in operating costs and improvements in customer service levels. 

Blue Ridge is a provider of enterprise-class Software-as-a-Service supply chain solutions. The company’s cloud-based solutions deliver a tightly-integrated, yet flexible architecture for demand analytics, forecasting, planning, replenishment, SKU rationalization and other demand-driven optimization solutions to provide a sound foundation on which companies can solidify and enhance their supply chain initiatives.

Every year, Inbound Logistics editors recognize 100 logistics IT companies that support and enable logistics excellence. Drawn from a pool of more than 300 companies, the publication selects the Top 100 Logistics IT Providers who are leading the way in 2013. To read more, visit the Blue Ridge website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.



You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Hyundai Motor Europe Turns to Infor

Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 70,000 customers, recently announced that Hyundai Motor Europe has selected Infor's SaaS-based integrated learning management software (LMS) and learning content management software (LCMS) to support its business.

With pilots underway, the new integrated training platform, which delivers content with advanced social and mobile capabilities, is planned to provide rapid, contextual knowledge to approximately 30,000 users in more than 2,500 dealerships across European 28 markets. The new platform is part of Hyundai's strategy to deliver premium customer experience by supporting the retail network with rapid, consistent, knowledge.

To read more about the implementation visit the Infor Pressroom.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.




You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Monday, May 13, 2013

Should E-Commerce Be A Part Of Your Distribution Strategy?

The biggest star in distribution today is e-commerce. Customers want it and distributors need to have it to survive in a competitive business atmosphere. But, studies show that many distributors generate no revenue from e-commerce, while others have no plans to even enter the e-commerce market.

What should distributors consider when planning a move into e-commerce? First and foremost, find a trusted business partner. Developing your online ordering system is not the job you want to assign to a newbie. E-commerce provides great competitive exposure to your company — exposure that comes quickly and is completely open to the world. You need professional help to manage that. This isn’t just programming a website so it works. How do you decide what products to feature in your electronic catalog? What’s your pricing strategy? 

Your primary objective with an e-commerce platform is simple: increase profits. Your existing customers want to do business through an e-commerce system, and they’ll go somewhere else if they can’t do it with their existing supplier. New customers want the same thing. To learn more about integrating e-commerce into a distribution platform, read more on the Advanced Distribution Software website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.


You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Friday, May 10, 2013

Acumatica Cloud ERP Launches Acumatica University for Product Training

Acumatica, a leading global provider of cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and financial software, has recently launched “Acumatica University,” an online learning management system, making it easier and faster for its global partner channel network to be trained and certified on Acumatica’s cloud ERP products.

Since Acumatica University’s pilot launch in January 2013, more than 350 individuals from over 100 channel partner firms (in 20 countries) have actively engaged in taking product training courses, and becoming certified on Acumatica’s award-winning financial, distribution, project, and technical platform suites.

The University currently offers 65 courses covering 100 hours of learning that includes 40 training videos. To date, over 770 courses have been completed by channel partners globally. Expectations are high for extending the use and content of Acumatica University. Both the amount of training content, and number of channel partners using the University, are expected to double before the end of 2013. The online University is complimented by instructor-led live training events, offered in the Spring and Fall each year.

To learn more about Acumatica Cloud ERP and the Acumatica University training program, visit their website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.


You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Process Technology, Inc. Increases Efficiency with Epicor

Process Technology, Inc. is an electrical distributor serving Utah, eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, Colorado, and southwest Wyoming since 1986, and is an established industry leader in process instrumentation and automation control.

PTI initially went live with Epicor Prophet 21 enterprise resource planning (ERP) software in 2007, focusing first on the system’s manufacturer rep capabilities to track commissions for orders placed directly with the manufacturers—as opposed to PTI—as their agent. According to Michelle Bennion, Systems Manager, Process Technology, Inc. has increased its use of Prophet 21 over time, with support from Epicor Professional Services and the Learning Management System (LMS).

As a result of the increased efficiency and improved customer service brought about by the Epicor implementation, Process increased annual revenues from $5 million to $9 million over six years, while adding only two employees.

To read more, visit the Epicor website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.





You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Monday, May 6, 2013

VAI at Atlantic Design & Manufacturing Show

Are you attending the Atlantic Design & Manufacturing Show Jun 18 – 20 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA?

The Atlantic Design & Manufacturing Show is one of the largest advanced design and manufacturing trade shows serving the northeastern U.S. The show features enterprise software technology which highlights the world's leading design, manufacturing, and ERP software providers. Please visit VAI at booth #4326 and see how utilizing S2K Enterprise Software can transform your business and optimize your performance! For more information and conference registration visit: http://www.cano​ntradeshows.com​/expo/atl13/

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.






You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

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Friday, May 3, 2013

A.M. Leonard Grows Its Business With Sage ERP X3

For more than 130 years, A.M. Leonard has delivered tools and supplies to both professionals in the horticulture industry and to home gardening enthusiasts. The company has a multifaceted sales channel that includes a busy call center handling phone and mail orders; two websites; and channel sales through Amazon. com, Search.com, and Newegg.com.

A.M. Leonard sought to replace its older, inflexible application with a customizable and scalable ERP solution. Sage ERP X3 was selected for its ability to be tailored to meet unique business requirements, its powerful architecture, and robust inventory management tools. As a result of the Sage ERP X3 implementation, order processing is faster, with instant freight quotes and access to detailed item information. The inventory physical count process time has been cut in half. To learn more about this implementation, and to read other Sage ERP case studies, visit the Sage website.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.





You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Attending WeisarMazars Food and Beverage Forum?

VAI will be attending and sponsoring the May 15th, 2013 WeiserMazars Food and Beverage Forum. For more than a decade, this elite event has been the premier CEO networking event in the New York Metropolitan area.

Bringing together illustrious speakers and top decision makers from the leading food and  beverage companies in the tri-state area, this event provides an environment in which to forge new alliances and reflect upon best practices. An industry speaker program and networking is offered from 5-9pm at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, NJ. Visit the VAI website for details and registration information.

The Brown Smith Wallace Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides for 2013 are currently available.

You can download each one directly, or visit our main website to request a copy. Please follow the links below.







You can also request these guides, as well as all other materials, via our website: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx


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