Inventory Optimization and Maximizing Profitability

Please attend the Business Improvement Webcast Series for distributors on May 28, 2015:

Epicor welcomes Jon Schreibfeder, president of Effective Inventory Management, for an educational and informative discussion on how distributors can overcome four major challenges:

• Increased competition
• Lower margins
• Product proliferation
• Demanding customers

Jon will discuss useful strategies for managing your inventory investment to maximize net profits, including valuable tips on:

• Accurate forecasting
• Using adjusted margin to access profitability
• Ensuring your inventory is accurate
• Meeting customer expectations

Click here to register.

In addition, you'll learn about some powerful tools for helping you effectively manage your inventory.  Epicor will demonstrate how you can identify buying trends and unique demand patterns, apply the best forecasting methods, eliminate excessive stock, manage VMI, and improve processes for better inventory control. 

You’ll walk away with an even better understanding of how to exceed customers’ expectations of product availability and maximize net profits. 

 

Absolute Value Announces a Highly Successful Implementation

World –class demand forecasting and replenishment offering improved supply chain planning for the Chinese New Year shutdowns

Absolute Value, a Microsoft Gold-Certified Partner, today announced the successful implementation of its demand planning and replenishment solution at SIGMA Corporation.

SIGMA, an importer of specialized water products and accessories, recently implemented the SaaS or Cloud version of Absolute Value, enhancing the productivity and inventory management of their Sage MAS 200 ERP solution. With an implementation timeline of less than 30 days, SIGMA rolled out this software solution to help streamline their Supply Chain forecasting and replenishment process.

According to leading distribution industry consultant Jon Schreibfeder, President of Effective Inventory Management, Inc., “Absolute Value software features a comprehensive set of tools for forecasting the future demand of products, replenishing inventory and analyzing an organization’s inventory investment. It can help distributors, in a wide variety of industries, achieve the goal of effective inventory management.”

SIGMA imports much of their product from overseas, a good portion from China. As a result, they are presented with a quite a supply chain planning challenge every year related to the Chinese New Year. Many factories in China close for up to four weeks surrounding the New Year. This year, less than two hours of careful planning in Absolute Value remarkably enabled Sigma to avoid their normal product availability issues during the 2012 holiday.

SIGMA's Purchasing and Inventory Planning Manager, Andrew Podner says, “Today, we spent less than 2 hours generating and reviewing suggested orders for 8 locations, including regenerating one of the facilities a second time. This operation, if we could have even done it properly, would have taken us at least a week to do before Absolute Value. I cannot begin to express my happiness that we are so much more clearly informed and able to respond and act so quickly to what is normally a major undertaking. "

Mitchell Rona, the VP of Operations for SIGMA, deems Absolute Value an "excellent forecasting and inventory tool. It is yet another way that SIGMA demonstrates its commitment to efficiency, strategic planning, and excellent customer service.”

About Absolute Value, LLC
Absolute Value has roots in the distribution software industry that are extensive, with specific strength in Forecasting and Replenishment. Constructed of both end-user and software vendor experience, the Absolute Value team bridges a dual perspective on the complex needs of today’s distributors. Blending this depth of experience with knowledge of state-of-the-art technology and application solutions provides their clients a unique pathway to success. The Absolute Value team offers this key experience gained as an evolution of Lanham Associates, a Microsoft Gold-Certified partner. www.absolutevalue-us.com

About SIGMA Corporation
SIGMA is a New Jersey, USA Corporation, in business since 1985. SIGMA’s core products have been Waterworks pipe fittings and accessories. SIGMA pioneered production of these pipe fittings in China starting in 1985, and since then has steadily grown to be the second largest AWWA pipe fittings supplier in USA. Today SIGMA offers the widest range of pipe fittings in the industry and can satisfy every requirement on a job. Quality is ensured through proprietary quality systems that exceed the requirements of AWWA and other national standards. www.sigmaco.com

VAI Webinar: Learn How S2K for Food Helps Comply with FDA Safety Regulation

September 27, 2011 at 2:00pm ET

The new FDA legislation is geared toward bringing the Distributors and Manufacturers industries quality control standards to the level that currently exists in the pharmaceutical industry. According to the new act, Distributors and Manufacturers will be required to keep control of their inventory recalls and know what products were shipped to which clients. Failure to comply with the new standards will result in severe penalties and a complete recall of all shipments for that period.

To register, visit: http://www.vai.net/events

Acumatica Releases Version 2.2 of its Cloud Accounting, ERP, and CRM Software

New features improve capabilities for wholesale distributors, manufacturers, multi-national companies, and service companies.

On August 17, 2011 Acumatica released the latest version of its Cloud ERP software that includes several customer driven enhancements such as automated bank reconciliation, inventory allocation by sales order, expanded replenishment algorithms, flexible payment remittance, and more. Cloud and on-premise customers can choose to install these updates at a time that is convenient to them.

“Acumatica responded quickly to our needs by delivering inventory allocation features that are critical to our distribution business,” said Ehren Dimitry, President at AME Corporation. “Even after my initial purchase, I was able to work closely with product experts who were able to configure the upgrade for my business.”

Acumatica 2.2 includes changes and updates to the financial, distribution, and customer management modules. Many features were implemented based on customer requests while others were built to expand the reach of Acumatica in the wholesale distribution, manufacturing, retail, and service industry verticals. The changes were built using the Acumatica web development platform to ensure compatibility with existing security settings, reporting capabilities, customizations, and third party modules.

“Our advanced platform design allows us to rapidly publish new releases without breaking customizations made by partners and customers,” said Ali Jani, Vice President of Product Management at Acumatica. “This is critical for our mid-sized customers who want to take advantage of Cloud technologies but require software that adapts to their unique business processes.”

Availability:
SaaS customers and license customers with up-to-date maintenance contracts can get the latest release by contacting their value added reseller (VAR) to schedule an upgrade. Details about the release can be downloaded from the Acumatica Cloud ERP website.

VAI Webinar: VAI Solution for HVAC

August 23, 2011 at 2:00pm to 3:00pm EST

VAI S2K Enterprise Management Software is an end-to-end integrated enterprise solution that has helped companies in the Plumbing / HVAC industry for over 30 years. S2K ERP features include Inventory Management, Warehouse Management, Counter Sales, Service and Repair, Non-Stock Special Orders, Serial Number Tracking, Complementary and Substitute Items, Kit and Manufacturing Capabilities, Dynamic Sales Reporting, Contract Pricing / Pricing Matrix, Orders, Quotes, Return Authorizations, Credits, Direct Shipments, and much more. S2K ERP software system has helped companies such as Sid Harvey Industries automate and optimize every aspect of its operations – from sales and inventory management to finance and e-commerce.

To register, visit: www.vai.net/events

Real Time Inventory, Pricing, Sales and Service Data On a Web Browser

At last, wholesale distribution revenues are starting to climb! Many distributors are reporting increased sales that are now spanning several quarters.

If you are one of them, and you think the time is right to upgrade your ERP technology, Acumatica thinks it's time you consider the Cloud!

The power of the Cloud
Acumatica Distribution Management uses the power of the cloud to deliver enterprise-wide control of your distribution operations. Because Acumatica Cloud ERP provides real-time information for every phase of your distribution business, from sales to purchasing to order entry to inventory control and to financial accounting, and beyond, you get the information you need to better manage all your company's resources.

What is included?
Acumatica is a fully integrated system that provides order management, inventory management, purchasing management, financial management, customer relationship management, and more. The solution is priced for unlimited users and sold as a one-time perpetual license or as a recurring turnkey service, depending on your level of IT expertise.

Learn more in 2 minutes
Find out how the power of the Cloud can help you by:
• Watching some of our 2-minute videos
• Attending a free seminar

For additional information, contact Acumatica at 1-888-228-8300.

VAI Webinar: VAI’s S2K for Rental-VAI's S2K Rental Software is a comprehensive management system designed for the rental industry.

If you rent tools, party goods, scaffolding, aerial platforms, amusement items, construction equipment, or just about anything else, this solution provides all the tools you need to effectively manage and grow your rental operation. It covers all aspects of a rental business including Reservations and Allocations, Financials, Equipment Servicing, Sales Order Processing, Inventory Management, Purchasing, and CRM.

To Register, visit: http://www.vai.net/events/details/26-rental.html