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Wednesday, May 24, 2017

A-H Distributors Implements Mincron Warehouse Solution

A-H Distributors implemented the Mincron warehouse management solution at their new 150,000-square-foot Distribution Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey in under three months. A-H Distributors holds about 7,000 SKUs of plumbing, heating, electrical, PVF, drainage and specialty products in its inventory. Project Manager Rene Jones described the process as “very simple” and added that the staff got confident with using it during their preliminary training sessions.


Mincron, a KCS Group company, provides innovative business management solutions that are flexible, scalable and fully integrated. Mincron offers both the SmartDistributor and K8 software solutions, which can be hosted on premise or in the cloud. The Mincron StockSmart Warehouse Management System allows distributors to maintain a 99.9% inventory accuracy level while increasing the speed with which staff can receive, pick and ship product. Mincron’s warehouse solution is designed to be comprehensive and highly flexible. It works equally well with small branch warehouses and massive distribution centers like A-H. And it effectively drives the processes of strictly structured environments as well as it does for those that are rapidly changing and unpredictable.


"In a typical warehouse environment with forklifts, drivers are always on the lookout for the aisle and shelf they need,” noted Jones. “They also have to stop, turn and raise the forklift each time they handle a product. All of that adds more time to the process. A wire guidance system in the floor that is tied into the A-H warehouse management solution runs the turret at the new DC. Product is scanned as it is received, and then the system does the rest until it is in their customers’ hands. When the driver locks an order into the system, a wire literally guides the equipment to the exact location. As it gets closer, the lift starts rising so it is in the perfect position to automatically and accurately handle the product.”


Because the DC is new, A-H Distributors has no baseline with which to measure its ROI. But Jones is confident that the Mincron system will pay for itself quickly.


To learn more, visit the Mincron Newsroom.


New Software Research Guides Available
Finding that you cannot keep up with all the changes in the latest software?
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Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

For 2017 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Distribution_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017DSG 

For 2017 Manufacturing Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017MFG 

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services<http://www.software4distributors.com/> and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard<http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx>.
 
Also, read our 2016 Mid-Year Supplements.<http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2016_Mid_Year_Supplement.pdf>

Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard.

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Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Kauffman Engineering Enhances Supply Chain with VAI

Kauffman Engineering is an electrical supply manufacturer headquartered in Lebanon, IN, with manufacturing operations throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Kauffman serves a diverse group of industries including: lawn and garden, transportation, material handling, industrial controls, medical equipment, off-highway vehicles, HVAC, agriculture, marine, aerospace, and others.


 After rapidly expanding its business through multiple acquisitions, the company quickly found itself in need of a new business tool that would enable it to unify its manufacturing and inventory processes. The solution presented itself with the purchase of one of its new companies already running VAI’s ERP software platform.


Many mergers are stymied by the need to add hundreds of additional user licenses, which can immediately erode chances for ROI. The Kauffman team immediately recognized both the performance benefits of the VAI solution and, just as importantly, the option for unlimited user licenses, which would enable them to expand their team across a single, powerful platform without additional IT spend.


“VAI’s unlimited user license has played an intricate role in the success of our recent acquisitions,” said Scott Hite, CFO at Kauffman Engineering Inc. ”The unlimited user license has enabled us to onboard as many employees as needed to ensure a successful transition without cost-prohibitive fees."




As they move forward with expanding their business, Kauffman can do so knowing that VAI’s MRP application and unlimited user licensing will assist in incorporating new teams and processes as they work toward a unified goal for success.



To read more, visit the VAI Newsroom.



New Software Research Guides Available
Finding that you cannot keep up with all the changes in the latest software?
Want to know how the software's features and functions can assist you?
Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

For 2017 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Distribution_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017DSG 

For 2017 Manufacturing Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017MFG 

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services<http://www.software4distributors.com/> and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard<http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx>.
 
Also, read our 2016 Mid-Year Supplements.<http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2016_Mid_Year_Supplement.pdf>

Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard.

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Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Burton Lumber Improves Profitability With Epicor

Burton Lumber is a family-owned building material dealer with a rich history. The company features multiple locations throughout Utah, but the business’ charter dates back to 1911. The largest locally owned lumberyard in Utah, Burton Lumber has seven retail lumberyard locations, as well as northern and southern truss plants, a custom door and millwork shop, and over 400 employees.


Burton needed to update technology from an antiquated system to improve business operations. In order to move into the future, the business’ operations team decided to implement the Epicor BisTrack solution with Dispatch and Delivery and Journey Planner applications that makes it easy for dispatchers to drag and drop orders onto selected vehicles and rearrange orders to reflect priorities.


Since implementing Epicor BisTrack, Burton Lumber has been able to gain efficiencies, improve profitability, and enhance customer service.
Additional business benefits include:
•Streamlined business processes, including more efficient millwork operations
•Accurate and easy-to-access data
•Visible and efficient dispatching
•Substantial year-over-year growth


To read more about the Burton Lumber case study, and learn about Epicor's solutions, visit the Epicor Newsroom.







New Software Research Guides Available
Finding that you cannot keep up with all the changes in the latest software?
Want to know how the software's features and functions can assist you?
Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

For 2017 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Distribution_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017DSG 

For 2017 Manufacturing Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017MFG 

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services<http://www.software4distributors.com/> and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard<http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx>.
 
Also, read our 2016 Mid-Year Supplements.<http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2016_Mid_Year_Supplement.pdf>

Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard.

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Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Craven Foods Sees Clearly With Phocas BI

Craven Foods is an independent food wholesaler and distributor based in Bunbury WA. The company established operations in 1987 and has since grown rapidly and now carries over 3,500 lines of stock.


Craven services the entire south west region of WA, providing products and services to restaurants, cafes, roadhouses, convenience stores, hotels, schools and more. The increasing complexity in the sales and management of multiple product lines has led to the need for a fast and efficient reporting solution. To keep track of sales and gain a better understanding of his business, Doug Mateljan, Managing Director for Craven Foods, introduced Phocas Business Intelligence Software into the company.


Says Mateljan, “We are now able to make decisions based on fact rather than intuition. We can drill down through the information to whatever we want and cross reference sales to customer, stock or sales rep. This is very valuable in terms of identifying opportunities or missed sales”.


Increasing Revenue and Profit


Phocas BI has given Craven Foods the opportunity to drive more business through their sales people. The sales team are more accountable now because individual performance as well as the team’s overall performance is highly visible. Phocas also allows the sales team to find more leads and opportunities to upsell and cross-sell, ensuring everyone at Craven benefits.


To learn more, visit the Phocas Newsroom.


New Software Research Guides Available
Finding that you cannot keep up with all the changes in the latest software?
Want to know how the software's features and functions can assist you?
Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

For 2017 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Distribution_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017DSG 

For 2017 Manufacturing Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadInteractive&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017MFG 

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services<http://www.software4distributors.com/> and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard<http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx>.
 
Also, read our 2016 Mid-Year Supplements.<http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2016_Mid_Year_Supplement.pdf>

Developed through a partnership with Industrial Distribution, Industrial Supply, Contractor Supply Magazine and Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services, these 12 page Supplement Guides provide valuable, independently researched information. Each Guide details software company information, identifies vertical markets, highlights functions and technology features, new developments to the software package, shows graphs of the user range, basic entry price point, sales channel (how and where the software is sold), along with company contact information. The Supplement Guides provide everything you need to know when beginning your software selection and evaluation process.

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard.

Follow Us on Twitter



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