MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS

EDP’s inventory system provides efficiency

EDP Plc, a specialist in software solutions to distributors, explains how implementing its Quantum VS ERP solution – an inventory management and purchasing system – can positively impact on sales and customer service levels.

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uantum VS ERP delivers a reliable, easy to use inventory system that manages repetitive tasks such as sales, purchase order or stock cycle monitoring – providing a team with a feeling of ‘supported’ control

within the purchasing environment, and ensuring that product or component reorder requirements are immediately highlighted. The system will also alert a user to potential stock-outs, late or missed deliveries, and will allow easy analysis of stock using whatever metrics chosen – under or over-stocked items, slow moving items, or items not selling recently. Implementing a trusted stock management system will achieve stock optimisation, improve a business and maximise profit. The implementation of an inventory management and

purchasing system such as Quantum VS ERP solution removes the guesswork from decision making within a purchasing or inventory environment and also eliminates time consuming ‘number crunching’. By using an automated system that provides reliable essential information, it is simple to make more informed stock management decisions, resulting in a fully empowered, knowledgeable and supported sales team that can provide subtle improvements in the customer service experience. Stock management is a fundamental aspect of any successful

supply driven company, otherwise maintaining control becomes a challenge as the consequences impact upon sales, customer service and finance. The impact can be heavier than ever before with the drive for ‘just-in-time’ stock and the pursuit for customer service.

Stock holding can also present a financial balancing act and the predicament of tying up too much capital versus the cost

of losing business if demand cannot be satisfied. Maintaining a constant awareness of stock location, lead time, demand origination and the ultimate stock destination are essential as the Internet and e-commerce make it very easy for competitors to respond quickly if a business cannot immediately satisfy its customers’ needs. Businesses now appreciate the need for a pre-emptive

approach to sales and supply, in direct contrast to the reactive sales culture of the past and as a result a business can now be under constant pressure to ensure that its full product range is always available. There is a requirement to balance cash flow, unnecessary stock levels and unwanted expenditure with increasing competitiveness – all of which are reliant upon successful sales and stock forecasting.

Jack Pennington chooses Rapid Racking

Jack Pennington Ltd, a UK industrial fastener, fixing, electrical, and tooling distributor, has chosen Rapid Racking to enhance its new warehouse after its successful expansion.

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fter a number of successful years trading from its head office in Shipley, UK, Jack Pennington Ltd decided to expand its business operation in the south of the UK. The company needed to find a site for expansion that would suit its requirements and its customers' needs. The site could then further enhance its service and coverage of the UK for the coming years.

Once the location and warehouse were chosen, Jack Pennington’s new warehouse needed to be 'equip ready'

for use. A number of racking companies were asked to submit design ideas for the large warehouse project and Rapid Racking was eventually chosen due to the speed of delivery and its project management. Rapid was tasked with filling the new site with as much racking as possible whilst still allowing for fork lift trucks to easily move around, and after an initial site visit, a CAD drawing was made incorporating a number of Rapid’s products such as Rapid 1, Rapid 2, Pallet Racking and Cantilever Racking. Various revisions were made over the following months as Jack Pennington’s needs changed and once the final layout was agreed upon, delivery and installation were arranged at the Jack Pennington’s convenience.

Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 88 July 2014