Avion Technologies Improves Data Access With Shoptech

Avion Technologies makes complex gears for several different industries. In 2019, they decided that it was time to upgrade to Avion's cloud-based E2 SHOP. There were a few different factors that went into that decision, including concerns about server stability and security.  Once they made the decision, the implementation was quick and easy. As Mark Bathurst, Vice President of Operations, said, “It actually went very, very smoothly. We did it over the weekend here. I was surprised at how seamless it was.” 

The implementation started on a Friday and by Monday everything was ready for training on the new software. All data was preserved through the transition. Mark remembered after their implementation, “Once that was done, our custom database came in with no problem at all. All the history was there. We didn’t lose anything.” Keeping all of their data was crucial to be able to keep their shop running smoothly after implementation. They found that training everyone on the software was fairly easy as well. 

Now that they’re using their software daily, Avion Technologies loves it. They’ve found that it’s very easy to use and learn, but they’re also getting important things, like reports, done much more quickly. As Mark shared, “I can get my reports a lot faster now, out of the system.” Getting those reports quickly, with current and correct information, means Mark can make decisions quickly and confidently, and move onto the next thing. Mark isn’t alone in loving their new software, either. As he said, “I’m very happy with the program. A lot of people here are as well.” Avion Technologies knows their shop will have great ERP software to support their shop now and in the future. Having that stability allows them to plan new things and continue to grow their shop with confidence. 

The learn more, visit the Shoptech Newsroom.

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

 

 

Empire Candle Manages Rapid Growth With Sage

For over 60 years, Empire Candle has been a full service manufacturer of candles, wax melts, and home fragrance accessories. The Kansas-based business welcomed growth, but it brought many challenges. Expansion led to challenges in manufacturing processes related to inventory and production control. Raw materials were left in the warehouse unused for years, while the company struggled to determine the necessary supplies to meet demands. 

"Our inventory variances were detrimental to the profitability of the business. And it wasn’t like product was evaporating. We weren’t losing raw materials," said Austin Matthis, Empire's IT Director. 

Through the investment and implementation of Sage X3, Empire Candle changed the way it operates. Through improved processes, the company has transformed inventory management and streamlined operations, from the point of order through to delivery. As a result of the implementation, Empire Candle has grown over 300%, including a 30% reduction in unproductive labor and the consolidation of an entire warehouse facility footprint. Through these performance increases, Empire Candle is saving around $400,0000 per year.

Says Robert Turtledove President and CEO, "The right systems don’t just make IT better or technology better. They make the company better. This is the central nervous system of the company. That’s what a professionally managed system like Sage Business Cloud provides us with." 

Learn more by visiting the Sage Newsroom.

 

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

 

BAT Industrial Products Increases Sales With Phocas

BAT Industrial Products manufactures, imports and distributes industrial, hydraulic hose, valves and fittings for mining, agriculture, irrigation, transport, food processing and other industries. The Blacktown, Australia company serves more than 60 distributors across the nation with some 25,000 line items focused on the safe and efficient transfer and control of air, water, gas, food, fumes, chemical and petro chemical products. 

With such a vast network of distributors and a large catalog of products, keeping track of customers’ buying habits is critical for this medium-sized business. Recently, BAT recognized that it was losing a percentage of its customer base, particularly across specific categories. The company was using a business intelligence tool for reporting, but it was not user friendly and the process of producing report to find out when and where customers were dropping off was a long and arduous task. 

“Customers typically don’t tell you when they start to purchase from another supplier,” said Scott Hudson, Managing Director at BAT Industrial Products. “You need to be able to find out for yourself, to ask the right questions and find what areas need improving. If you don’t know that, then it may be too late. If you’re not on the ball, customers will spread out their purchases into the market and cut out categories all together.” 

This was the situation for BAT when they decided to deploy Phocas Business Intelligence. While the company has only been using Phocas for a short period of time, the impact has been quickly felt, particularly with the sales reps.

Hudson uses Phocas during BAT’s Friday meetings to understand the company’s status with customers. BAT also has a large TV screen on the company’s main floor, which displays a Phocas Dashboard with sales for the day compared to last year; top 10 customers compared to prior year; and customers won, lost and dropping off. Hudson recognizes that there is a lot more than can be done with Phocas, from accounts dashboards and CRM activity to inventory management and purchasing. He also believes that Phocas will help the company generate more business. “We have already started to target categories that are down, and our sales reps are starting to ask why,” said Hudson. “Phocas is still new to us, but our sales reps are using it every day, and we are using our data to improve sales.”

Learn more at the Phocas Newsroom. 

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

 

Radians Solve Complex Data Challenges With Infor

 Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Radians creates safety solutions — including masks, gloves, glasses, hard hats and respirator wipes — for the industrial safety and construction, public safety, sporting goods, hardware, DIY, and lawn & garden markets. The company’s decision to replace its legacy system with a new Infor Cloud technology suite will help propel it strongly into the future.

The value, capabilities, and benefits of the new software go far beyond easy access to centralized data and higher rates of customer serviceability. Radians will be able to better manage performance, risk, and the impact of business decisions across multiple departments, including supply chain logistics, sales and marketing, product data, finance, networking, and warehouse and cartonization functions.

In addition to CloudSuite Distribution Enterprise, Radians also selected Infor CloudSuite WMS, a Leader in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems. The streamlined, holistic supply chain suite will help Radians ensure on-time deliveries and efficient warehouse utilization, while improving purchasing goals and reducing inventory costs.

Radians is also implementing Infor Dynamic Enterprise Performance Management (d/EPM). Combining modern intelligent business tools and financial performance management capabilities into one solution, d/EPM will enable Radians to consistently report with confidence, measure past and current performance, and forecast future activities.

To learn more, visit the Infor Newsroom.  

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

 

 

Alfa Laval Drives Excellent Service With IFS

 

Founded in 1883, Alfa Laval is a Swedish company working in the areas of Energy, Marine, and Food & Water. The company provides expertise, products, and service to a range of industries in some 100 countries. With 17,500 employees, the company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress.

Driven by a long-term, company-wide initiative, Alfa Laval’s search for a modern solution for remote guidance took on a new urgency as the impact of COVID-19 made itself felt.

To ensure service levels and business continuity in areas where travel is banned or social distancing is required, the company selected IFS Remote Assistance. The solution allows two users to collaborate and interact in real-time—whether that’s supporting technicians in the field or customers directly.

“We chose IFS based on its strong technology and the long-term vision of the company," said Jens Pulczynski, Manager Global Service Operations, Alfa Laval. "Our customers have been 100 percent satisfied with the introduction of IFS Remote Assistance and impressed by the way it enabled us to continue serving them. As we recover from the crisis and return to more normal operations, we are convinced that our use of the solution will evolve from business continuity to business transformation.” 

Elni Kullmer, Managing Director, IFS Nordics, added, “Across all industries, we are working with forward-thinking companies like Alfa Laval. Eliminating unnecessary travel, improving customer service efficiency, and providing tools for remote work are things that will continue to benefit all service-oriented businesses long after the immediate threat of the virus is gone.”

Find out more at the IFS Newsroom.

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

 

AMCO Proteins Improves Business Performance With Deacom

AMCO Proteins, a specialty proteins manufacturer, was using technology to run their business much like other manufacturing companies in the United States: by customizing various types of software to deliver specific capabilities within their ERP system. While the company was able to ‘get by', gaps in their process were becoming more prominent as the complexity of the business developed.

“Between the management of different modules for ERP, CRM, and maintenance, and manually inputting data, our processes were beginning to cause disruption to our business." said Adam Cabot, CEO of AMCO Proteins.

AMCO realized that in order to grow both strategically and organically, they needed to find an ERP solution that would eliminate a reliance on multiple systems and provide the flexibility to support future business acquisitions. Upon evaluation, the team unanimously agreed that Deacom’s all-encompassing ERP system would answer all of their critical business needs.

“We knew the DEACOM system would be faster, more efficient, and the updates weren’t going to negatively impact business continuity,” said Cabot.

Deacom and AMCO identified opportunities to strengthen operations through process control. The most significant enhancement was to deliver heightened flexibility within production scheduling. AMCO regularly runs production jobs lasting multiple days. Therefore, the teams realized significant value in creating a flexible production scheduler. Within this tool, AMCO can create full production jobs and move them around a “test calendar” to determine the most efficient process and without ever impacting the live schedule. Once the user is secure in their decision, the production job can be moved to the main schedule to be applied immediately.

Since being live on DEACOM, AMCO has already seen significant value with improved visibility into business performance. Previously, the company relied on spreadsheets and handwritten notes of production runs, downtime, uptime, and yields. This information was then manually entered into spreadsheets to create graphs and PowerPoint presentations – a time-consuming and unsustainable method.

Said Cabot, “Now we have real-time data right at our fingertips. We can instantly see what is being produced in shifts A, B, and C, and drill down into those details to identify inconsistencies and opportunities for improvement. The real-time information allows us to make faster and better decisions."

To learn more, visit the Deacom Newsroom.

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

Kele, Inc. Optimized Stocked Products With Blue Ridge

Located in Memphis, TN, Kele Inc. has been a worldwide distributor of over 300 Building Automation and HVAC/R manufacturers for over 30 years. Kele also manufactures the Precon and Kele brands of products. Kele offers unique delivery options including shipment scheduling, additional instructions for installation and a UL-Listed panel shop on site.

By utilizing Blue Ridge Forecast, Kele has been able to position and price inventory smarter. Blue Ridge’s cloud-native supply chain solutions combine intelligent science with robust automation and price optimization, empowering distributors to react to complex change with untapped precision and efficiency. Distributors and retailers use Blue Ridge to proactively understand the financial impact of each purchasing decision before they make it – bringing more certainty, more speed and more assurance to the value chain. Leveraging powerful data sets, machine learning-driven recommendations, and even pricing simulations, Blue Ridge customers like Kele are winning new opportunities and reducing the cost of keeping customers happy.

Kele's Results After Implementing Blue Ridge Forecast:

• In stock products +20% 
• Purchase orders -20% 
• Service Levels increased 
• Inventory Investment maintained 

 To learn more visit the Blue Ridge website.

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

Precision Manufacturer TLT-Turbo Fuels Expansion With IFS

TLT-Turbo GmbH, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technology-driven industrial fans and ventilation systems, has chosen IFS Applications™ for its sites in Germany, USA, India and South Africa. TLT Turbo’s state-of-the-art fan solutions can be found in the London Underground, the Ferrari Formula 1 wind tunnel in Maranello, and in Europe’s largest Coppermine in Polkowice-Sieroszowice, Poland.

IFS Applications was selected for its ability to deliver comprehensive and flexible project management capabilities across its global organization. “One of the most important considerations for us was full project and process visibility across our entire value chain, giving us complete control of profitability, quality, and risk,” said Mr. Christian Horst (Global Functional Manager Digitalization and Engineering, TLT-Turbo).

The IFS solution, which will be implemented by IFS Certified Platinum Services Partner Eqeep, will support all business-critical processes, including manufacturing, project management, maintenance, sales & service Supply Chain, warehousing, mobile workorder management, document management, and financials.

IFS develops and delivers enterprise software for customers around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. The industry expertise of our people and solutions, together with a commitment to delivering value to every one of our customers, has made IFS a recognized leader and the most recommended supplier in our sector.

Read more on the IFS Newsroom.

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

R&B Wagner Reducces Risk With Avalara

With roots going back to the 1850s, R&B Wagner is a Wisconsin-based family business specializing in architectural handrails. The 150-employee company is in growth mode, recently completing expansion to all 50 states and further development in to Canada.

In the midst of this growth, R&B Wagner's accounting manager, CPA Dave Chermak, is the company's only full-time employee managing sales tax. Although he consults with outside accountants, Dave is the one responsible for tax compliance. He needs to accurately charge the right sales tax no matter where a sale occurs, manage exemption certificates, file returns across the country on various filing schedules, and stay on top of the company's growing nexus obligations.

The expansion of R&B Wagner's customer base means Dave must deal with an increasingly complex sales tax situation. As the company grows, so does the number of exemption certificates across channels; currently, there are approximately 11,000 in the company's system. A good portion of the company's sales are online, and those sales create challenges when exemptions are involved. These sales needed to be streamlined for both the company and its customers. Expansion has also resulted in new nexus obligations. Moving into a new location can create nexus in multiple jurisdictions, such as the city and the state. Each of these must be managed individually, including registration and filing monthly or quarterly returns.

When Dave joined R&B Wagner, he was able to turn returns filing over to Avalara Returns. Avalara Returns automatically files R&B Wagner's returns in every tax jurisdiction where it owes sales tax. R&B Wagner makes one payment to a secured account to cover the total amount of taxes owed, and Avalara takes care of making individual payments.

Dave also worked with their Avalara account manager to set up CertCapture on online sales forms so customers could load their own exemption certificates. "In the past we would have to call the customer, have them send the form to us and then we put it in CertCapture. Giving customers the ability to load it themselves has been wonderful," Dave said. "The new process is up to 40 percent more efficient than the old one."

Most importantly, R&B Wagner also uses Avalara's nexus monitoring service to help reduce risk by monitoring the company's nexus obligations. When a sale occurs in a jurisdiction that is not registered to collect and file sales tax, the transaction is flagged and Avalara alerts Dave. If registration in the new jurisdiction is required, Dave has the option to set it up himself or let Avalara take care of it. He called nexus risk mitigation "one of the top benefits" of partnering with Avalara.

If Dave didn't have Avalara's help, he would have to hire one or two more people to take on sales tax. Currently, he has a staff of three working in other areas, and he calls Avalara his "fourth employee." "Avalara is doing all the sales tax work essentially for me. All I have to do is collect the data and make sure it's been properly given to my fourth employee to handle and take care of."

To learn more, visit the Avalara Newsroom.

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

Improving Virtual Sales Relationships With SPARXiQ

Since their inception in 1993, SPARXiQ has generated billions of dollars of profitable growth for hundreds of organizations, including twenty-five Fortune 500 companies. With their help clients grow revenue, optimize margins, build more effective sales teams, and improve operations. SPARXiQ is offering two webinars designed to help manufacturers and distributors navigate the current environment.

How to Hire Sales Pros That Deliver Results 
Hiring right has always been important, especially for sales roles. Right now, this is even more true than it usually is, and even more important that your new sales hires can sell (possibly remotely, for a while) and deliver the results you need. So, whether you are hiring right now, during our current pandemic crisis, or planning to ramp up or grow again as we move into an economic recovery, your hiring decisions for sales are going to be more critical than ever.

Join Doug Wyatt and Mike Kunkle on July 17th at 2 pm for this episode of Sales Enablement Straight Talk™, to learn how to implement a proven-effective system that combines selection methods to radically improve your hiring success. Stop rolling the dice and hoping – and start hiring sales pros that deliver results!

Register on the website.

Maintaining Meaningful Relationships in Virtual Selling
Even in the new digital age, making personal connections based on trust and integrity, and supporting client goal achievement, remain essential to top sales performers. Ever since COVID-19 brought unique challenges and economic uncertainty, there has been additional pressure on businesses that deepen the importance of loyal relationships.

In this Sales Enablement Straight Talk™ webinar scheduled for August 13th at 2 pm, Mike Kunkle and Doug Wyatt share the frameworks companies can use to ensure their sales teams are intentional about strengthening customer relationships to secure revenue in this time of uncertainty.
Topics include:

• The fundamental mindsets sellers must possess to build deeper relationships 
• How to identify which customer relationships deserve the most focus 
• How to evaluate customer relationships objectively, to know how strong they really are 
• What it takes to develop the relationships with the most opportunity 

Register on the website.

For the 2020 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2020_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_Interactive.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2020Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Vertical Markets Matrix, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Mar-Bal Manufacturing Stays Strong With IQMS

Mar-Bal operates four manufacturing facilities in North America and a sales office in Shanghai, China. They manufacture thermoset composite products essential to the appliance, electrical distribution, and industrial marketplaces.

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, Mar-Bal continues production under the guidelines set forth by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. The Ohio policy, which was one of the first enacted in the US, recognizes the need for critical manufacturers required to continue operation to supply the state and country during these difficult times. Mar-Bal serves multiple industries whose continued operation is necessary to make it through the challenge we all face.

Supply chain fluctuations caused by the pandemic wreak havoc on Mar-Bal’s production scheduling. While they have minimal staff at their administrative headquarters, manufacturing operations are nearly fully staffed with the personnel necessary to produce orders – supervision, production and quality assurance. From their headquarters, despite minimal staff, they are able to centrally process incoming orders using their IQMS DELMIAworks ERP system and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). These orders automatically update the production schedule and generate work orders to distribute to their widespread manufacturing operations. Remote visibility of orders, inventory, and operations for their personnel who work at home and in-branch locations system has been essential to these continued business operations. The same can be said for forecasting, planning, and scheduling tools that have been critical to their ability to react to rapidly changing conditions.

At Mar-Bal, DELMIAworks manufacturing software has been essential to continued operations during the COVID-19 disruptions.


To read more, visit the IQMS website.

For the 2019 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

Berkshire Blanket & Home Streamlines Tax Compliance With Avalara

In 1993, one man made a blanket. Almost thirty years later, Berkshire Blanket & Home Co. is the biggest company in its category, supplying more than 130 million premium-quality products - blankets, throws, soft home goods - to top retailers around the world.

For as long as Berkshire sold primarily to tax-exempt retailers, its sales tax obligations could be managed manually with a home-grown matrix. But when the company got serious about consumer ecommerce, it quickly found that its home-grown approach was a risky and inefficient way to manage sales tax.

Berkshire’s finance team was accustomed to dealing with wholesale transactions but the introduction of an online retail business a number of years ago, brought with it a new set of tax headaches.

Tax challenges:

• Rapid growth, increasing complexity
• Manual, time-consuming processes
• Increasing compliance risk

Emily Pfeiffer, Vice President of Marketing and Digital, who was brought in specifically to build the company’s online retail business. When the company switched to a new ecommerce platform, Emily knew the old sales tax matrix had reached the end of its useful life. “We had to find a new system to manage the tax,” she says.

It didn’t take Emily long to land on Avalara’s suite of products as the right solution. “AvaTax, in particular, is the Cadillac of its category, and has been for years,” she says. “It’s what you should be using if you just want tax handled.”

And what of the integration with the company’s ecommerce and order management systems? “It’s absolutely seamless. In fact, we recently changed our ecommerce platform system to Shopify Plus. A key factor in that decision was that it features built-in integration with Avalara’s software. We just set it up once and forget it. And Avalara was more of a partner than we expected during the transition, offering us the support we needed.”

Results

• Simplifying business complexity
• Confident tax compliance
• Enabling bold growth plans

“Having Avalara means I don’t have to hire someone just to monitor and adjust our tax settings,” Emily says. “None of us wants to be in that business, and we love being able to trust it to Avalara.”

To learn more, visit the Avalara Newsroom.

For the 2019 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

Conveyer & Caster Improves Communication With Tour de Force

Conveyer & Caster, is a distributor of material handling solutions with locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. The company is known for its expertise in providing casters, wheels and conveyer systems solutions, as well as a full-line of general material handling products, to a full range of manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution companies.

Conveyer & Caster realized they were outgrowing their current CRM system, which they had been using since the early 1990s. The system was limited in its ability to set permissions and user based rules and didn’t offer any integration with the Infor TakeStock ERP system. These limitations meant that customer information was being duplicated between the two systems.

Conveyer & Caster main criteria for a new CRM solution was that it offered integration to their Infor TakeStock ERP system, integration to Active Directory, and mobile and desktop functionality that would be easy and convenient for their sales team to use.  After researching multiple CRM solutions, Tour de Force was the only solution that was able to meet all of their requirements.

Tour de Force integrates with Infor TakeStock ERP system through the use of the Business System Integration (BSI) Connector, which allowed them to eliminate the disconnect between the CRM and ERP systems. This integration provides quick and easy access to a wide range of business intelligence, reporting, and analysis, allowing an organization to analyze sales performance and trends that occur at multiple levels across the organization. A salesperson can easily view their customer’s sales history and open and closed orders, giving them the key information they need to approach every customer interaction.

Brian Harrington, IT Manager at Conveyer & Caster, recalled that “The implementation process was solid and we had a great team. They were on the ball and kept us in the loop at all times. The great thing about Tour de Force was that they understood our business model as a distributor, which really contributed to a smooth implementation.”


To learn more about the Conveyer & Caster implementation, visit the Tour de Force Newsroom.


For the 2019 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter

Sustainable Manufacturer BioPak Unpacks Success with NetSuite

Founded in 2006, BioPak produces sustainable alternatives to conventional single-use packaging for the foodservice industry, offering carbon neutral compostable packaging solutions made from rapidly renewable, plant-based raw materials.

With NetSuite, BioPak has been able to take advantage of an integrated business platform to drive efficiencies across its core operations while expanding both its range of products and services and the number of markets it serves. As it has added new products and services and expanded its operations domestically and internationally, BioPak has taken advantage of NetSuite to manage its entire business. “We’re focussed on reducing fossil fuel-based plastic used in foodservice and are always looking at how we can offer our customers more sustainable alternatives,” said Gary Smith, CEO, BioPak. “As we have grown our business, NetSuite has allowed us to stay focused on our mission by providing us with accurate data across all products at all locations throughout Australia, Singapore, the U.K. and New Zealand. We run everything through NetSuite — from custom ordering portals, to procurement, we least cost freight, and automated analysis and monitoring — so we always have a complete view into our business and can ensure our customers never run out of product.”

With NetSuite, BioPak has been able to take advantage of a single business platform to streamline sales, warehouse, freight and marketing processes, create new products and services for its customers, and scale its business internationally. Using NetSuite, BioPak created a custom Carbon Calculator that pulls data to give its customers — such as Woolworths, Bunnings Warehouse, many Councils across Australia and New Zealand, Deliveroo, The Star, Mad Mex and many more — a complete picture of their environmental footprint. These impact statements put a tangible value on switching from regular packaging to BioPak through information such as carbon savings, amount of compost created, reduction in landfill waste and plastic avoided.

With an integrated and flexible platform for all core business processes, BioPak has been able to focus on expanding its operations and recently launched in Singapore. “We all know the damage packaging can have on the environment and that’s why it’s so important that organisations like BioPak provide eco-friendly alternatives,” said Jason Toshack, General Manager, Oracle NetSuite ANZ. “BioPak has championed innovative solutions for many years and a big part of that has been taking advantage of data to streamline operations and help its customers think about packaging in new ways. BioPak’s journey with us over the last nine years demonstrates how an organisation can focus on its core mission and deliver value directly to its customers by continually driving operational efficiencies.”

To learn more, visit the NetSuite Newsroom.

For the 2019 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guide:

http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Distribution_Manufacturing_Software_Guide.pdf?utm_source=DownloadElectronic&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Guide

Visit our website to learn more about the Brown Smith Wallace Advisory Services at http://www.software4distributors.com and to use our Software Features Comparison Wizard, visit http://www.software4distributors.com/compare/default.aspx.

Also, read our 2019 Mid-Year Supplements at http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2019_Mid_Year_Supplement_Blog.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2019Supp.

Developed through a partnership with 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.

Follow Us on Twitter