IT Fully integrated
Any change brings with it a certain amount of trepidation surrounding how easy it is to integrate into existing showrooms and how simple is it for staff to get clued up on how it works
The good news, Maclean says, it that with 4D technology is that integration is relatively straightforward. “Rather than actual products, a series of screens are installed leaving the remainder of the area free for users to move around ‘within’ their designs, allowing for a good sense of spatial awareness.
Support network
“The ins and outs of our most popular Virtual Worlds packages can be learnt in a day, taking merchant staff off of the showroom floor for a minimal amount of time. Technical support is also ongoing, giving merchants peace of mind that help is only ever a phone call away and ensuring potential downtime is minimised.” 4D technology is a new concept for the kbb industry and as early adopters merchants can offer customers just what they’re looking for in what is an extremely competitive environment; something different. Improved sales, referrals and new interest are all likely results.
HUWS GRAY INVESTS IN AP AUTOMATION WITH BORDER MERCHANT SYSTEMS
B
order Merchant Systems can now give clients the ability to have Accounts Payable (AP) automation through its CounterAct Software by working in partnership with fellow software provider Lexmark/ReadSoft.
Lexmark/ReadSoft software solutions provide back-office process automation and this collaboration allows Border’s CounterAct customers to use cloud-based accounts payable automation. By fully integrating Lexmark/ReadSoft into Border’s CounterAct Software, users have the option to bring their back office processes and automation online, transforming the collection, storage and management of their paper and electronic documents.
The system can be described as ‘paper based EDI’ and is probably best used in conjunction with standard EDI. Some suppliers don’t have EDI capability but Readsoft/Lexmark allows users the same benefits that EDI offers. One customer to benefit from this integration is Huws Gray, one of the largest
independent builders merchant in the UK. Mike Owen Jnr from Huws Gray explained how the system works; “The system allows us to scan in paper based supplier invoices and load them onto the Readsoft/Lexmark cloud. The cloud system runs powerful OCR utilities on each invoice and reads the necessary data. The system learns as it goes so is able to improve its field match rate the more it is used. CounterAct software then processes our invoices checking that the stock has been booked in before checking the invoice value against the expected amount. If the invoice amount matches the purchase order (within the agreed tolerance) the invoice is approved for payment.”
The system also acts as an archive for Huws Gray supplier purchase invoices. Owen concludes; “The benefits have been significant. The total number of invoices processed, which can be over 6000 per month, has increased by 25% year on year and we have not had to employ any extra people in the purchase ledger department.
KERRIDGE’S SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP WITH RAVEN TAKES FLIGHT
T
he relationship between Raven Roof- ing Supplies and Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) goes back to 2004 when Raven started to use an early KCS trading system alongside its accountancy package. Today Raven has grown to operate from six sites, employs 65 staff and has several hundred active trade accounts. “What I’m still most proud of,” said director Mark Applebee from the company’s Twickenham HQ, “is the good day to day relationship we have with all our customers and suppliers, no matter what their turnover is. I’m also proud of how our staff remain with us for the long term. To have been with Raven for 20 or 30 years is not uncommon!”
As the company developed, a decision was made to move to a more sophisticated solution with integrated accounting. Mark said, “We had further expansion plans and it was obvious that K8 was a system that could grow with us.” He said the upgrade was easy, particularly on the trading side. The Windows based system was so much easier for the team to work with and they were able to replace
the pre-printed continuous stationery forms using K8’s print manager. “It’s very user friendly for our trade counter staff,” Applebee added. “And new starters only need minimal training. We’ve recently added signature pads on our trade counters which has streamlined transac- tions further.” Financial controller at Raven, Mandy Humm, said reports created within K8’s Business Intelligence module highlight sales and customer data and help the manage- ment team track buying trends. The KCS support team has helped Mandy make the most out of the integrated accounts package by customising views such as adding a purchase ledger column to track the turnover from rebates. She said, “I’ve never known a package like K8 before, we can tailor the standard system to suit us and we’re constantly discovering new functionality. It’s a system that just keeps giving - and we’re learning more all the time.”
Applebee is now considering KCS’ new ePOD app that enables drivers to manage deliveries and capture signatures on hand held
December 2018
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
devices. PODs are then automatically sent back to the core system and are available for customers to view. According to Applebee, the service from KCS has been impressive. “The personal ser- vice we give our customers is reflected by how the KCS team treat us. Our KCS account man- agers keep in touch and know all our history. Over the years it’s been brilliant,” he says.
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