Ocean Breeze Farms Improves Operations with Floral Computer Systems

"The SMARTSystem is the second thing that’s turned on at the start of every business day. The first thing we turn on are the lights." ~ Mike Furlong, Manager Ocean Breeze Farms, Carpinteria, California


"The SMARTSystem is the home of our customer database. It’s the home of our product database and our inventory. SMARTSystem processes our orders, cuts our waybills, runs our sales reports, and closes out our day; seamlessly transfers our sales transactions and data to our accounting system. The SMARTSystem is one of our most valuable assets."


"We knew we made the right choice when we had our first training session. A detail like training is usually overlooked or offered at an extra charge. How many companies do you purchase from that are as committed to your success with their products as Floral Computer Systems. John Henderson was patient, understanding and knowledgeable. The training was the key to our crew working with confidence and eagerness. Think how valuable it is when your crew is cooperative when learning a new system and are invested in the success of that system."


"Support is a very important part of a business software system and I can say without qualification that the customer support offered by Floral Computer Systems is unequaled. They are always willing to step in to address even the smallest of details with a response time that make you wonder if you’re their only customer."


"The SMARTSystem was the best choice our team made in many years and it not only fits with a desire to operate in a smarter, more efficient manner it actually makes our sales team smarter and more efficient. With Floral Computer Systems we found everything that we require to run our business."


To learn more, visit the Floral Computing website.


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For 2018 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Distribution_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018DSG


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http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018MFG


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

Also, read our 2018 Mid-Year Supplements http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018Supp
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.



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Plunkett Distributing Enhances Custom Order Process With DMSi's Agility ERP

Plunkett Distributing provides laminate, solid surface, hardwood moldings, and cabinet supplies to markets in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. Founded in 1948 by J.F. Plunkett, the business is into the third generation of family ownership. The company handles hundreds of custom orders every month using a multi-step process that had become time-intensive and prone to data-entry errors. Plunkett Distributing knew it needed a more efficient way to handle custom orders.


The Solution
Plunkett Distributing implemented the Agility ERP system and took advantage of the branch transfer functionality. Agility makes it easy to coordinate remanufacturing processes across multiple locations. To make the process even more efficient, the DMSi team created a catalog of item blanks for every species and width of molding Plunkett Distributing produced. When reps create a custom order, they are able to pull up one of the product blanks instead of entering all the details from scratch. Order entry is now much easier and faster.


The Result
Agility ERP proved to be a very effective platform for Plunkett Distributing. “It has been an extremely positive experience for us,” says owner Don Plunkett. “The rep just has to enter the sales order, and then the bill of materials and the work order show up on the screen at our other facility across town. It’s been a huge help.”


Don also leverages Agility’s reporting tools. Sales dashboards make it easy to assess and monitor his team’s performance: “We have better visibility into things like market costs and gross margin violations. We can pull out data that we never could before. I’m able to see things as they are trending instead of hearing about it after something goes wrong. It’s been a huge impact on our bottom line.”


Plunkett Distributing has experienced significant growth, and Don is excited about the future. He sees more opportunities for improving operations and expanding the business: “There are things within Agility that are making us better than we ever were before, and we’re ready to take another step forward. It’s just time. We’re growing so much right now.”


To learn more, visit the DMSi 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 sjay@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.


For 2018 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Distribution_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018DSG


For 2018 Manufacturing Software Guide:
http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018MFG


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

Also, read our 2018 Mid-Year Supplements http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018Supp
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.



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Cladtek Improves Business Operations With Epicor

Founded in 2003, Singapore-based Cladtek is the world's largest manufacturer of weld overlay corrosion resistant alloy (CRA) products, and a global leader in CRA mechanically lined pipe (MLP). Cladtek counts most of the world's leading oil and gas industry contractors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as its customers.


Cladtek originally utilized a number of home-grown systems to support financial, procurement, and production functions. With further growth targeted, the company recognized the need for a consolidated and integrated system and the benefits that better access to and use of data would bring.


Challenges:

• Existing data management systems were outdated and independently run
• Plans for international growth required access to more and better-quality data
• Needed to improve operational efficiency and be able to make decisions faster

The company knew its global expansion plan was not sustainable without a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that would provide the management team with insight into every aspect of the business. Cladtek selected Epicor ERP and the eight-month implementation period for the Epicor ERP solution allowed Cladtek and the Epicor team to ensure the ERP system was integrated across all its locations and departments.


As a result, information is now available in real time, online, and integrated across all departments-allowing staff to foresee potential problems and prevent them from occurring in the first place. In addition, they are able to respond quickly when changes are necessary, so they can be twice as responsive to ever-increasing customer demands, market changes, and 24/7 business pressures.


Financial information is more accurate and transparent, and allows the management team to have better visibility of the overall business operations. The latest support features for multiple data sources in Epicor ERP are expected to realize even further benefits for Cladtek. With the means to publish dashboards on mobile devices and Microsoft SharePoint sites for improved collaboration, different departments and locations are able to better work together to deliver first-class performance and standards across the business.




To learn more, 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 sjay@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.


For 2018 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Distribution_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018DSG


For 2018 Manufacturing Software Guide:
http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018MFG


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

Also, read our 2018 Mid-Year Supplements http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018Supp
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.



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Rutherford Controls Prepares For Growth With Blue Link

Rutherford Controls Int’l Corp (“RCI”) provides architectural hardware, locksmith, and security markets with electric locks, door hardware, and access control products.


The Challenge:
RCI set out to develop an infrastructure that would position the company for projected rapid growth over the next few years. The first challenge was to implement a distribution and wholesale software management system flexible enough to adapt to many of their unique business processes, which had become their competitive advantages over the years. The solution also had to be scalable in order to handle their growth. RCI was managing several innovative business processes using separate systems and manual workarounds, as no single distribution or wholesale software was able to handle all these requirements.


In addition, as the business evolved, so did the business processes, rendering a static solution impractical. These disparate systems were functioning at an acceptable level, but management realized that if they were going to accomplish their significant growth targets, these systems had to be consolidated into one integrated application to reduce data duplication and human intervention.


The Solution:
RCI purchased Blue Link ERP as its business software management system. Together with a Blue Link consultant, RCI reviewed their business processes and how they mapped to Blue Link’s processes. Some minor custom changes were made to Blue Link to handle some of RCI’s unique business practices, and within two months RCI was live on their new business management software.


The Results:
Since the implementation of Blue Link ERP, RCI has been a success story and has achieved its growth targets, with Blue Link supporting them through the process. RCI has undergone several additional custom projects to map the system functionality to their changing business processes.


“Blue Link’s software and professional expertise have been major factors in the success of our company over the past three years. We have come to regard Blue Link as partners in our business.” – Andy McDougall, RCI


To learn more, visit the Blue Link 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 sjay@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.


For 2018 Distribution Software Guide: http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Distribution_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018DSG


For 2018 Manufacturing Software Guide:
http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018MFG


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

Also, read our 2018 Mid-Year Supplements http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2018_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2018Supp
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.



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