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Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Why You Need a Quotation Management System

Question: “I’ve already got an ERP system, why do we also need a Quotation Lifecycle Management (QLM) system?
Answer:  A good Quotation Management system complements your ERP. ERP “quoting modules” are typically quote “forms” that can be sent to customers and turned into orders if the business is won. Quotation Lifecycle Management covers a complex and collaborative process gathering inputs and approvals from all areas of your organization, with the objective of winning more business based on submissions that are high quality, complete and delivered on time.


A QLM system provides access to quote related master data information outside the confines of the ERP and requires only minutes to setup and use. Business users from Engineering and Sales will be able to leverage a system that works without the restrictions of ERP but still provide the database support, work-flow control and accountability that quickly and accurately allows development of a superior response to your customer’s request.


A good QLM allows for development and use of customer specific quoting templates, process and output definition and will also provide the analysis tools and what-if comparisons built around key quote elements, such as production and sourcing location, volume scenarios and sales forecasts or other non-standard cost drivers. These “price development” tools and techniques are not a normal part of an ERP system.


QSTRAT has been providing Global Sourcing, Quoting and Costing Software Solutions for more than 15 years to Manufacturing and Distribution customers in North America, Europe and Asia.


Learn more at the QSTRAT 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 2017 Mid-Year Supplements. http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_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, February 21, 2018

Intermex Foods Improves Business Operations With Vision33

Intermex Foods is a wholesaler in San Diego, California - a subsidiary of PAGASA, a leading provider of pastas and cookies in Mexicali, Baja California. PAGASA has been in business for over 50 years and their products can be found in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.


The company has grown by double digits and was ready to take their business to the next level. Using manual business management tools including a combination of Quickbooks, Excel spreadsheets and binders made it harder to manage data and stay on top of daily operations as orders increased.


As Intermex Foods continued to grow, tracking profitability became a bigger challenge. Without a system in place to track key performance indicators and customer buying patterns, the staff did not have access to the business intelligence needed to expand with confidence. It became abundantly clear that Intermex Foods had outgrown their systems.


Intermex Foods decided on Vision33 to implement SAP Business One Cloud. “SAP Business One was the only solution that covered all of our requirements,” says Rafael Benavides, Project Manager at Intermex Foods. After implementing a single, enterprise resource planning (ERP) cloud-based solution, Intermex Foods put away the binders and began to realize the value of having all their business information in one, centralized location. Reports that used to take them months to compile are now available to them in a matter of minutes with data they can trust.


This comprehensive solution helped dramatically streamline operations to a point where the company experienced 34% in savings immediately upon implementation. By choosing to implement SAP Business One Cloud, the staff can access company data anytime, anywhere.



To learn more, visit the Vision33 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 2017 Mid-Year Supplements. http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_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, February 14, 2018

Dutch Hollow Supplies Streamlines Workflow With DDI

Since 1984, Dutch Hollow Supplies has been a one-stop shop for janitorial, packaging, office, and safety supplies in the greater St. Louis, MO area.

Dutch Hollow Supplies took the leap into enterprise resource planning (ERP) incorporating DDI System’s Inform ERP Software into their daily operations when they realized they had outgrown their QuickBooks Enterprise software and the business needed something more to carry them into the future.

Thinking back to when they converted, Eric Cadell, Vice President of Operations at Dutch Hollow Supplies, remembers how accounts receivables and net pay averages decreased by 5 days - almost overnight. The auto watch and credit hold functionality was automated, saving time and highlighting outstanding bills to all team members. This transparency allowed sales and customer service reps to assist and make a notable impact with their customer accounts.

“DDI System is right on target,” says Eric. “Other companies say they have the answers to mobile and tablet trends, ecommerce and remote connectivity but from speaking with other distributors, I can honestly say DDI’s functionality is deeper and better developed. DDI has smart deployment methods that ensure new features are working “out of the box” and keeping up with the needs of wholesale distributors.”

Not only is technology ever changing, but the impact those changes have on customer buying methods and habits is significant. One of the ways Dutch Hollow has been able to keep up with customer expectations is through a fully integrated e-commerce website. “DDI’s Inform eCommerce has been a tremendous advantage for us. The integration within Inform is seamless. It pulls real-time inventory levels, unique customer pricing, customer account data and history. This live connection is a huge benefit! If we make a change in Inform, it’s instantly reflected on our website.”

Dutch Hollow still looks forward to screen updates, new upgrades and whatever technology is coming down the pike. DDI System has been and will remain their long-term technology partner.



Read more on the DDI 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 2017 Mid-Year Supplements. http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_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, February 7, 2018

Dunlop Tyres Reaches New Heights With Infor

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres manufactures world-class aircraft tires — and it has done so for more than 100 years. Today, the company holds the unique status of being the world’s only specialist manufacturer and retreader of aircraft tires.


In a recent interview with Stuart Hawker — Dunlop’s Head of Marketing and Business Intelligence — made it clear that the company is equally committed to providing quality customer service of the highest standard as well. Stuart shared how Dunlop is avoiding common pitfalls through its investment in Infor CRM.


He started by outlining some of the challenges the company faces:
  • a globally dispersed sales team.
  • the company is growing, and
  • because of the global nature of its business, the company had dispersed data sources that made it difficult to create a single, accurate picture of the customer.


The company looked to Infor to help them deploy a CRM platform that would provide better control of their data and create a single version of the truth that would enforce a more consistent approach in sales and account management.


Stuart singled out the Infor CRM Xbar in particular for the way it allows sales personnel to perform key CRM tasks without leaving Outlook. Easier access simplifies the entry of clean, consistent customer data that is the foundation for richer and more relevant customer engagement. Other features such as intuitive, user-friendly screens and streamlined workflow also help improve utilization by sales teams that would otherwise continue to rely on paper-based or Excel-driven practices for recording and tracking customer interactions.


Dunlop’s experience with Infor CRM is compelling evidence that it’s possible for a global enterprise to create the consistent and extendable sales processes and develop a single, accurate, and up-to-date picture of customers and their evolving needs – despite the challenges of a globally dispersed workforce and client base.


To read more of the interview, watch webinars, and learn more, visit the Infor Customer Experience Suite blog.



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 2017 Mid-Year Supplements. http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_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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