First Choice Floral Streamlines Business With Floral Computer Systems

"The SMARTSystem has cut out at least 70% of the time I used to spend buying flowers. On special orders, more than a handful per week used to be difficult to keep up with. Now, I can handle an unlimited number." says Louis Pacanins of First Choice Floral in Dallas, TX.


"We put in the SMARTSystem right before a major holiday and it made a huge difference in our operation. This software streamlined our business so we’re much more cost efficient."


"Using the SMARTSale™ System, I was able to leave early on a Friday for the first time in 8 years. I’ve got all my orders in, I know what I have to buy, and I can go home and spend time with my family."


Read more at Floral Computer Systems.


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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Conval-Aid Enhances Accounting With Blue Link

Established in 1976, provides a wide range of quality health-care products and services to customers across Eastern Ontario, Canada. This includes new and used hospital equipment and supplies, and medical and home-care provisions. The company also rents out equipment – from shower-chairs and wheelchairs to walkers, daily living supplies and stair lifts. Conval-Aid has evolved from a two-person endeavor to a family-owned company with more than 20 employees, including a service department and outside sales staff. It operates from a head office in Ottawa, Canada.


Challenge
Conval-Aid's original accounting system was increasingly inefficient, especially as third party billing was becoming complicated, with different components being supplied from companies all over the country; this demanded comprehensive internal tracking and accounting abilities. In addition, internal accounting controls were minimal, and internal security control was becoming an issue. Conval-Aid looked at several systems, mostly in the larger, mid-market range. They quickly realized those systems were not only expensive but, more importantly, didn’t offer the customizable features needed for the growing company.


Solution
Blue Link was recommended by both a business contact in the IT market, and the company accountant. After thoroughly investigating the company and its solutions, Conval-Aid decided to ask Blue Link to install its customizable accounting system. An important factor in the decision was Blue Link’s willingness to customize the solution to Conval-Aid’s needs, and to assist with implementing the new system. The company’s complicated third-party billing system needed particular customization, and the shipping system also presented challenges, for which Blue Link created additional customization. In addition, the invoicing process had to be able handle complicated and detailed invoicing structures. For example, certain percentages of a total invoice might need to be allocated to different companies, such as a percentage of a bill being allocated to the Easter Seals foundation because it had sponsored a particular product.


“There were very few problems. Blue Link took care of all the integration into the new system – it all went very smoothly. And Blue Link also did all the customization, and we really liked that.”
– Merrill Ed, Conval-Aid Healthcare


Read  more on the Blue Link 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 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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Nature One Dairy Expands Sales with Tribridge DXC Technology

Nature One Dairy is an Australian-owned blending and canning manufacturer dedicated to producing high-quality, specialty powdered milk products from grass-fed Australian cows. After experiencing rapid growth in its own country, the company decided to market to nearby Asia, where safe, affordable infant formula is in high demand but difficult to find.


Challenge:
As it expanded its business, Nature One Dairy realized the time had come to modernize to more automated, integrated and efficient processes. The company was still relying on a combination of traditional quality assurance practices, separate accounting and production systems, and considerable manual effort. The most pressing issue was improving the ease and accuracy of stock control to trace the raw materials used in the powdered milk products, since in addition to the base powder, the finished product contains vitamins and other ingredients from a variety of suppliers.


Solution:
Nature One Dairy spent six months exploring various warehousing, accounting and other options before deciding that an end-to-end SAP SMB solution, based on SAP Business One for HANA would best meet its requirements. The company chose DXC Oxygen, part of the DXC Technology global SAP team and the leading specialist SAP solutions provider across Australia and New Zealand, to deliver and customize the solution.


Results:

• Streamlined, integrated and transparent business processes, with consolidated warehouse, production and accounting systems
• More accurate inventory and quality control, with traceability from raw materials to finished product
• Higher efficiency, less production downtime, significant staff time savings, and the ability to better meet customers’ requirements and delivery dates

The company has been able to combine four different parts of the business — raw materials receiving/scanning, accounting, warehousing and production recording — into one system so they work together to give us a final product and a final count, which they couldn’t do previously.


Learn more on the DXE Technology 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 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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Sikes Paper Captures Significant Cost Savings With DDI

In a world of high speed burnishers and fast-acting disinfectants, the Janitorial and Sanitation industry values anything that saves time and labor. What holds true on the facility floor is equally true in distributor offices and warehouses. The term "speed to market" originated with software companies and referred to getting new products on market shelves as quickly as possible.


For Sikes Paper Company in Atlanta, Ga., its rapid speed to market can be contributed to its implementation of DDI System's Inform software technology. "Our world is all about speed," notes Greg Truitt, vice president and general manager for Sikes Paper Company. "DDI has provided us the technology to literally change our speed to market. That 'Goliath' down the street who is spending millions of dollars, cannot begin to compete with us on our speed and customer responsiveness."


The multi-dimensional features of DDI System's Inform distribution software enables Sikes Paper Company to seamlessly integrate various functions and departments. It delivers speedy solutions for everyone in the company such as the accounts receivable person in the main office, the salesperson working on the road from his car, and the customer service rep in the Dalton branch office.


To learn more, visit the DDI Newsroom.




New Software Research Guides Available
Finding that you cannot keep up with all the changes in the latest software? Want to know how the software's features and functions can assist you? Please contact 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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Wist Office Products Improves Warehouse Efficiency With VAI

Wist Office Products has been serving Arizona businesses since 1955 and is the largest independently owned office supply company in the Southwest. Wist offers over 40,000 products including general office supplies, office furniture and janitorial supplies.


Wist was running an outdated ERP system that presented a number of problems for the distributor. The first primary concern was the system’s lack of flexibility. The software did not allow the company to implement process improvements, and this in turn required Wist to incur extra, unnecessary labor costs. Secondly, errors were common and prevented Wist from acquiring the information it needed for accurate reporting and data analysis.


Still, the biggest challenge was in effectively managing its warehouse operations. As a just-in-time supplier, Wist needed a distribution solution that offered accurate, timely data and automated features to streamline operations and get product out the door for next-day delivery. The company’s old system was simply too outdated to handle this request and required many employees, manually entering data and picking product to make good on its delivery promises. Additionally, since Wist stocks about 1,300 to 1,400 items, but offers over 50,000 products, the supplier required an automated purchasing system that could automatically transmit orders to its suppliers. This was an important and mandatory requirement since wholesalers are an integral part of Wist’s business model.


Wist reviewed several distribution packages before settling on VAI's premier ERP solution, S2K Enterprise software suite. S2K handles next-day delivery and, because VAI has extensive experience working with distributors in every industry, the firm was equipped with the knowledge to design an automated purchasing solution to facilitate seamless communications and integrated operations with Wist’s wholesale partners.


VAI’s S2K for Distribution has helped Wist reduce inventory levels, streamline operations and decrease overhead cost. Now, the company is able to get the up-to-date, high-quality information that it needs to run a competitive business using less payroll hours. Additionally, the company has incurred tremendous cost savings.


Robert Wist, CEO of Wist, summed it up best, “For Wist, the payoff has been substantial. In just 2 years, we’ve recouped the packages implementation costs and S2K has provided a 10% reduction in employee overhead, while gross margins have increased by about 4%-- both considerable benefits for our company.”
Read more at the VAI Newsroom. https://www.vai.net/company/success-stories


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 2017 Mid-Year Supplements
http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Mid_Year_Supplement.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017Supp&gt


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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Cosma International Improved Inventory Reporting With Epicor

Cosma International, a wholly-owned operating unit of Magna International, is a global automotive supplier providing a range of body, chassis and engineering solutions to OEM customers. Unsatisfied with the lack of functionality and support for its legacy business management system, Cosma International's operation in Victor, Iowa, searched for an integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that allowed for real-time shop floor reporting and inventory management.


Cosma International selected Epicor CMS for discrete manufacturing and has never looked back. "With our legacy system we were reporting all of our inventory transactions at one reporting station," recalls Andy Hrasky, assistant general manager at Cosma International's Victor operation. "It was on the shop floor, so it was somewhat in real-time. That process required a lot of unnecessary, time-consuming movements."


Key Challenges face by Cosma:

• Accurate inventory management
• Lack of electronic data interchange (EDI) capabilities
• Manual spreadsheet-based production scheduling
• No visualization of shop floor data

Solution:

• Epicor CMS, integrated enterprise business system for manufacturing and distribution
• Epicor Informance, enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) system

Key Benefits:

• Accurate, real-time, shop floor reporting and inventory management
• Integrated production scheduling
• Reliable EDI
• Near-instant access to key metrics
• Accurate, finite shop floor information using programmable logic controls (PLCs) and an open connectivity protocol (OPC)

Today, Cosma International has 23 reporting stations on the floor. "The event based reporting system in Epicor CMS is integral to what we do," says Hrasky. "We couldn't get by without it."


To read more, visit the Epicor Newsroom.




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


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


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


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


Also, read our 2017 Mid-Year Supplements
http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Mid_Year_Supplement.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017Supp&gt


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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McNaughton-McKay Electric Improves Efficiencies With Savance

Founded in 1910, McNaughton-McKay Electric Company is a wholesale distributor of electrical supplies. Since 2006, the company is 100% employee-owned.


McNaughton-McKay uses Savance Enterprise's Sales Management module. Says Tim Goulet, of McNaughton-McKay, "The benefits we have experienced [since adopting Savance Enterprise] include greatly improved efficiencies at the order entry and processing level. With this new software, we are saving time and giving our customer a consistent, accurate, and professional looking quote."


Benefits experienced through use of Savance:

• With Savance Enterprise, customer contact information is automatically populated onto the quote and saved off for future quoting and mailing lists.
• Enterprise allows customers base to send .xls files with hundreds of lines with part numbers and quantities. It turns these into quotes which can then be turned into orders with a click of the mouse.
• Enterprise prompts users with part numbers that are close, to help avoid input error. There is also the ability to enter a customer's part numbers and cross-reference with the distributor's part number.
• Enterprise offers the capability to store quotes in a common area to call up for review. It can then be determined if old pricing should hold or to reprice at the current levels.

Says, Goulet, "I feel strongly that this has been the best change in technology since I have been with McNaughton-McKay. [T]his positive outlook is a common feeling amongst everyone toward our new automated process. It saves all of us time and gives us a chance to do what we do best, sell!"


To read more, visit the Savance 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 2017 Mid-Year Supplements
http://www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2017_Mid_Year_Supplement.pdf?utm_source=DownloadPDF&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=2017Supp&gt


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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