Reyes Beverage Group Streamlines Logistics With Episerver

Headquartered in Chicago and operating out of 23 warehouses across the United States, Reyes Beverage Group provides wholesale distribution of a large assortment of beers including  brands such as Heineken, Corona Extra and Coors Light.

Reyes needed to modernize their customer ordering platform. This consisted of making it easier for wholesale customers to get what they need with increased self-sufficiency. While an existing system was in place, customers tended to go around the portal and call on Account Managers directly.

Reyes Beverage Group chose Episerver to support their ambitions; the Episerver Digital Experience Cloud enables Reyes the ability to scale and support the marketing team through its ease of use.

Episerver integrated RBG’s back office systems directly into the new system to enable more control over pricing and inventory, providing 360-degree coverage on the backend ordering process. The capabilities of the Episerver Digital Experience Cloud have allowed Reyes' 70,000 retail accounts access to the most efficient means to create orders and monitor their accounts.

Deploying Episerver Commerce led to an 18% increase in portal usership. This is complemented by a 28% increase in product pages views, indicating stronger than previous engagement and interaction. By deploying the Episerver Digital Experience Cloud, Reyes has encountered a 7% increase in internal site search usage.

With its updated digital infrastructure, Reyes will continue personalizing the buying experience for customers. Using more complex personalization will allow for real-time upselling and cross-selling opportunities.

An area of future focus will be to expand its multilingual offering – adding an even more personalized experience to customers as they expand their territories. Live chat and voice enablement are also in Reyes’ future plans to enhance the customer experience.

Learn more on the Episerve 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.

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Danbury Plumbing Supply Stays Competitive With DDI

Danbury Plumbing Supply has served the Greater Danbury area in Connecticut since 1910. With a 6,000 square foot kitchen and bath showroom plus additional office/wholesale location, communication and accuracy became key components to everyday operations. According to T.J. Hunt, president of Danbury Plumbing Supply, his vision for Danbury Plumbing was the creation of a single software solution that supported his entire supply house.


Hunt began his search for a new solution by speaking to surrounding area plumbing supply houses. Hunt was impressed with the feedback and called Adam Waller, president of DDI System. “After speaking to Adam, I could tell that DDI understood the plumbing distribution industry."


“Within 24 hours, DDI engineers migrated our inventory and customer data into DDI. The next day we were up and running - eager to maximize the solution’s functionality. DDI’s software has totally automated our operations and decreased the chances of human error. In addition, information is available instantly right from the counter terminals.” Showroom sales staff is quickly alerted to incoming product shipments. “When an order arrives at our warehouse, an email is generated by DDI and sent to the appropriate salesperson,” said Hunt. “We can then alert the customer of the available product.” 


Danbury Plumbing enthusiastically takes full advantage of DDI’s customer history database. “When a customer comes into the showroom, regardless if a purchase is made, we enter their information into the system. If a customer does not make a purchase, DDI reminds our showroom staff to make a follow up call.”


Danbury Plumbing has realized impressive ROI with the DDI System's distribution management software.“Without question, the DDI System was responsible for more than doubling our sales numbers by streamlining our business practices and creating sales efficiencies.” “With DDI, our business has been vastly improved with efficiencies in customer service, shipping and revenue monitoring. Our employees can view the same screen with all items entered in one central location — right at their fingertips! DDI truly powers our entire business.”


To read more, and access additional case studies, visit the DDI 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.

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Buffalo Electric Supply Improves Process Control With Savance

In business since 1954, Birmingham-based Buffalo Electric Supply is an independent, full-service distributor of wholesale electrical products and tools for contractors, industrial end users, and the general public. The company’s electrical supply store, which specializes in industrial, commercial, and residential wholesale electrical products, is known for its stocked inventory, flexible delivery schedule, and personalized service.


In order to meet customer needs in an ever-changing market, the company needed a new ERP solution. Vice President Patrick McCarroll explains: "The previous software was run on an older operating system that had no ability to tie into an e-commerce platform in the future."


“We knew we were looking for a future-proof, easy-to-use software package that offered great support from the software provider,” McCarroll says. Other criteria included affordability, copy/paste functionality, and the ability to mass-upload inventory changes. E-commerce, of course, was another important area.


After an extensive search, Buffalo Electric Supply made the decision to select Savance. "Being able to pick up the phone and get an answer in a timely manner is something I very much appreciate when it comes to Savance." McCarroll says. Since implementing Savance Enterprise, Buffalo Electric Supply has seen improved process controls, as well as greater accuracy when it comes to inventory and pricing. The product’s ease-of-use has also lead to staff operating much more efficiently. Reporting is another area where Buffalo Electric has seen major improvements. “Savance made the SPA process with manufacturers much more manageable,” McCarroll explains. "For the cost, you can’t find a better software solution. The service and response time is top-notch."


To read more, visit the Savance 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.

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Oklahoma Flower Market Ramps Up Business With Floral Computer Systems

Oklahoma Flower Market is Oklahoma’s largest and oldest wholesale flower market in the state.Their customers that purchase in wholesale quantities include retail florists, interior designers, caterers, event planners, venues, wedding coordinators, restaurants, schools, church organizations, special events, charities, and mass markets.

"Changing to the SMARTSystem is kind of like getting off a horse and into a sports car..." said Mike Hurley, President Oklahoma Flower Market. "At first we were a little timid but now we could never imagine returning to our old ways of doing business. Our old software just couldn’t keep up. The SMARTSystem has helped give us the tools and information necessary to move forward in this rapidly changing industry. John, Rob and the entire SMARTSystem Team provide continuing support that far exceeds my expectations. John is one of the most honorable people I know and his company’s integrity and customer service are second to none in any industry. It’s great to have the SMARTSystem staff on our team; I believe it gives us an advantage when every advantage counts."

To learn more, visit the Floral Computer Systems 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.

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Rutherford Controls International Hits Growth Targets With Blue Link

Rutherford Controls International (“RCI”) focuses on providing architectural hardware, locksmith, and security markets with the best in electric locks, door hardware, and access control products. RCI’s emphasis is on customer service, technical expertise and providing innovative electric locking hardware to the industry.

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. Current 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.

RCI purchased Blue Link ERP as its business software management system. A key requirement of RCI was that their historical data had to be transferred to Blue Link. To accomplish this task Blue Link developed a data conversion tool to convert all of their data from their existing application.

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. RCI has been able to take advantage of new functionality as it is added to Blue Link ERP, completing two version upgrades incorporating their PerfectFit customization.

“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 Solution

Learn more by visiting the Blue Link Newsroom. https://www.bluelinkerp.com/case-studies/

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.

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Sun Mountain Sports Optimizes Inventory With SYSPRO

Sun Mountain Sports is a golf industry pioneer that has revolutionized products like golf bags, performance outerwear, golf travel bags and push carts. The company markets the well-known Eclipse brand of outerwear, as well as 15 other brands. Additionally, through its embroidery division, Sun Mountain Sports is the partner of choice of more than 600 colleges and high-schools. The company has approximately 130 employees and 35 independent representative firms in the U.S. and Canada.

Rapid growth made it increasingly difficult to handle the greater influx of orders, many of which are customizable. It was time for the patchwork of smaller packaged and internally coded solutions to be replaced by a world-class ERP solution. Unnecessary manual processes, no automated integration of systems, and a lack of timely visibility into any of the company’s key performance indicators was holding Sun Mountain Sports back and sapping precious bottom-line profits.

Once Sun Mountain Sports was installed on SYSPRO, things started to change rapidly for the better, according to Vincent Chong, Information Technology Manager, who has been with the company for 20 years. Chong identified three key areas where the company can clearly substantiate manpower savings, namely, financials, orders/ inventory and shipping.

Improvements by Functional Area 

• Automated Sales Order to General Ledger Postings: “We saw a manpower savings of three hours a day by not having to manually post sales orders via Excel to the general ledger, so that was the first place we noted savings,” Chong said. 
• Bill-to-Promise Order Visibility/Accuracy: “SYSPRO gives us instant visibility into what’s available at any point in time in our warehouse for shipping, so that when customers place an order we can match up the promised shipping date and the billing date,” Chong explains. “So, for example if a customer wants 10 C130 golf bags by a certain date – we know if we can or can’t deliver by that date. This is both an efficiency tool AND a customer satisfaction tool. ”
• Better Shipping Management: As one of Montana’s largest shippers by volume, distribution of product to customers has a key impact on Sun Mountain Sports’ bottom line. “We use Federal Express Ship Manager and it used to be a manual process to write details of the shipping information back into our IT systems,” explains Chong. “With SYSPRO, shipping information is entered once for freight lines used and cost of each order.” 

Using SYSPRO ERP, Sun Mountain Sports estimates it has saved thousands of worker hours based on new efficiencies in the company’s sales order, inventory management, and shipping management. Additionally, new visibility into key sales data and trends has helped Sun Mountain Sports to better target its most profitable market niches by product and geographies, and accordingly adjust sales commission plans quickly and easily.


Learn more at the SYSPRO News Room.

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.

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Ganz Streamlines Tax Processes With Avalara

Ganz is a Toronto, Ontario based wholesale company and manufacturer of gift-ware, home décor items and plush toys, that also sells goods and services through an interactive website with games, memberships, and affiliated products to youth markets.

Because Ganz sells interactive kids’ games, they must comply with complex sales tax regulations. Most of their interactive audience is in the U.S, but their international reach introduces different sales tax and VAT rules for all the jurisdictions.

Before partnering with Avalara, the company used a solution that was costly, tedious to maintain and had to be hosted on-site. Avalara's cloud-based solution was ideal as it required minimal maintenance and lessened the burden on system administrators. The process of implementing Avalara went smoothly; it was a seamless fit.

Says Adam Litvack, E-commerce Manager at Ganz, "Having Avalara in place allows us the freedom to focus on our business, not on sales tax management or burdensome maintenance. Having a sales tax solution that’s automated and takes care of itself is one less thing to worry about."

Learn more on 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.

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BW Wholesale Thrives With User-Friendly Floral Computer Systems

Originally known as Keystone Ribbon Floral Supply, BW Keystone Wholesale Floral Supply was founded in 1945 by Somer Obernauer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A key supplier in the floral industry for the past 75 years, BW has adapted to the ever changing trends throughout the years. They carry realistic permanent botanicals, dried flowers, artistic containers, and floral display supplies.

Sayd Debby McSwiggen, Manager of BW Keystone had this to say about her experience using Floral Computer System's SMARTSystem, "The SMARTSystem is one of the easiest systems to learn and use. The Floral Computer System is very user friendly. I have had much success in using the system and also teaching our staff how it works. Any problems that were encountered in the first few weeks of using the new system were quickly addressed and solved by the staff at Floral Computer Systems. Also, any special programs that we needed to have implemented on our new system were fulfilled to our greatest desires. "It was and still is a pleasure to work with John Henderson and his staff. They are quick to respond to any situation and resolve the matter immediately. Any questions I have with the system are addressed and explained in detail so I can understand the full concept. I would recommend this system to anybody in the floral business. The SMARTSystem is one of the easiest systems to learn and use."

Learn more on the Floral Computer System's website.

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 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.

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Frank Adams Improves Inventory Control With Floral Computer Systems

Scott Isensee, General Manager of Frank Adams in Portland, Oregon, had this to say about his experience working with Floral Computer Systems and the SMARTSystem, "Our Floral Wholesale business was seeking an enterprise system to manage and control inventory, have an easy to use POS application, and be written in floral language. Floral Computer system met that challenge and surpassed our expectations."

He goes on to say, "What we appreciate most about working with Floral Computer Systems is their ability to make changes and adapt the program to fit exactly what we need to accomplish. I have access to a laundry list of reports from sales performance to sales by product to inventory gross profit reports. We manage over fifty thousand SKU’s and product codes allow us to deliver superior customer service, profitably."

"The SMARTSystem has helped us become more productive, have better accountability and be more profitable. The easy-to-obtain usable reports in inventory, purchasing and sales are the tools I need to keep our business on track."

To learn more about Floral Computer Systems, visit their 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 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 2018 Mid-Year Supplements at 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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Wholesale Distributor RJ Schinner Leverages Data With MITS

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, RJ Schinner has been in business for over 50 years and has 8 locations across the Midwest, from the Dakotas to Texas. RJ Schinner operates as a redistribution specialist, or as Jerry Boughner, RJ Schinner’s CIO puts it, a ‘wholesaler to wholesalers’. Their business model consists of purchasing food service, paper, janitor/sanitation, and grocery supplies from over 200 manufacturers and repacking them on pallets for customers who are unable to buy full or half truckloads. This allows RJ Schinner’s customers to mix and match their order, while still taking advantage of the favorable pricing terms offered to a large purchaser.

In searching for a new B.I. and reporting solution, two companies kept coming up – and MITS was one of them. Jerry remembers. “It really came down to my decision, and I wanted something that was native to our system – and with MITS being an official Epicor business partner whose product actually worked on the server as opposed to having to export all the data outside of our company and then have it come back, was a big factor in my decision to go with them,” Jerry said. “Plus I have an ever-expanding sales force and I didn’t want to have the cost and trouble of continually going out and getting licenses for them. I liked the MITS system and how it showed to the sales reps – it was much easier for them to use.”

After the decision was made to go with MITS, the next step was installation. “We first started rolling it out to sales people and management. The feedback I got was that it was very easy to use; in fact I was looking at some of the responses to the MITS test I ran with our salespeople after they had been using it for about 7 months. Every one of them was excellent in their proficiency with using the system. That is the nice thing about MITS - there is a lot of information, but it seems easy to disseminate.”

For RJ Schinner, the data trending functionality in MITS is proving to be an effective cost saver. “We really liked the way MITS trends data, “ Jerry says. “With regard to sales, our sales force can now see within 30 days what’s happening to an account, as opposed to finding about it at the end of the year."

“Our President is using the system for branch analysis – where the sales are trending, where the gross profit is trending – and really diving into the way our business is going, from our buy lines from our manufacturers for example, to determine which branches are up, which are down, etc. Our CEO, who is a wizard at working an Excel spreadsheet, is doing the same type of high-level analysis – and he really loves the MITS system for that. He is spending around 50-60-% less time generating reports than he was prior to MITS.”

Read more on the MITS 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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Iberia Foods Turns to Blue Ridge for Supply Chain Planning

Hispanic food and beverage distributor Iberia Foods Corp. has selected supply chain planning technology from Blue Ridge to align the distribution of its product inventory with expected demand from customers.


Iberia Foods started in 1930’s and now distributes to more than 10,000 supermarkets, clubs, wholesale vendors and distributors throughout the East Coast and Midwest from its locations in Brooklyn, NY; Somerset, NJ; Miami; Orlando; Atlanta; Springfield, MA; and Chicago.


Blue Ridge’s cloud-based, distribution-focused forecasting and inventory planning system balances customer needs with business realities like erratic demand from regional uniqueness, seasonality, supermarket promotional/ad movement and market fluctuations that put pressure on today’s foodservice and food wholesale distributors.


“Working with Blue Ridge will allow us to quickly and effectively fulfill increasing demand from our customers while taking our supply chain planning to the next level in order to continue to provide the best service to our also increasing customer base”, said Eric Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Iberia Foods Corp.


The Blue Ridge supply chain platform, which was named 2018's best cloud-native supply chain planning solution for distributors by Frost & Sullivan, helps customers reduce costs, improve service levels, and assure product availability to customers without creating a costly inventory surplus. For more information on Blue Ridge’s supply chain expertise in the foodservice industry, please visit their resource page.


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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Shippers Supply Enhances Business Intelligence With Tour De Force

Shippers Supply, Inc. is an independently owned and operated wholesale distributor of shipping, packaging, industrial and productivity/equipment solutions. Founded in 1928 in Hopkins, Minnesota, the company has 32 employees and serves the upper Midwest.


Shippers Supply had outgrown their current systems and needed a more complete solution that would provide CRM, SFA (sales force automation), BI (business intelligence), and would sync data from their Infor10 Distribution Express (FACTS) ERP system. They also wanted a system that would allow them to access information from mobile devices and would give them the ability to analyze and manage their sales pipeline.


The team at Shippers Supply chose Tour de Force CRM because of its integration with Microsoft Outlook and the Infor FACTS ERP system, and its overall configurability. Tour de Force CRM was also able to provide the full range of functionality that Shippers Supply was looking for: a complete CRM and SFA solution that would allow them to their sales pipeline and would provide their sales team with mobile access.


Shippers Supply went live with most departments in the company using the system, including Customer Service, Purchasing, Sales, Management, Accounting, and the Service Department. Sarah Zaporski, Database Administrator, recalls that her fellow employees “were really excited when we brought Tour de Force CRM on. We’ve had some additional training since the implementation, and some of our sales reps that may have been behind the curve as far as technology goes have really started getting into it. They’ve all found it to be very user friendly.”


According to Jeff Schuppe, Director of Sales and Marketing at Shippers Supply, “The Tour de Force CRM system gives us the ability to link the past with the future. We are very excited to tie our sales pipeline into our strategic business planning process. It will help us to make more calculated business decisions as we continue with our aggressive growth initiatives.” In addition to the business planning features in Tour de Force CRM, Shippers Supply also plans to start using the advanced reporting functions, the Alerts and Notifications module, and plans to implement tablets for their outside sales team.


To learn more, visit the Tour de Force 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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