The key component to running a business smoothly, efficiently and profitably.
The July segment of the spotlight series, about flooring industry software, covers inventory control software; one of the basic and essential components of an inventory control system; a process that supports suppliers stock, store, locate, pick, deliver and manage products, components and raw materials. Readers even the least bit curious about inventory control software are likely to find this software segment an informative read. Read on to learn about how business owners, managers, warehouse crews, office staff and sales teams placing orders benefit measurably from inventory control software day-to-day.
According to Wikipedia, an inventory control system is a process for managing and locating objects or materials. In common usage, the term may also refer to just the software components. Modern inventory control systems often rely upon barcodes and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to provide automatic identification of inventory objects. Inventory objects could include any kind of physical asset: merchandise, consumables, fixed assets, circulating tools, library books, or capital equipment. To record an inventory transaction, the system uses a barcode scanner or RFID reader to automatically identify the inventory object, and then collects additional information from the operators via fixed terminals (workstations), or mobile computers.
A warehouse management system is a key part of the supply chain and primarily aims to control the movement and storage of materials within a warehouse and process the associated transactions, including shipping, receiving, putaway and picking. The systems also direct and optimize stock putaway based on real-time information about the status of bin utilization.
A warehouse management system monitors the progress of products through the warehouse. It involves the physical warehouse infrastructure, tracking systems, and communication between product stations.
More precisely, warehouse management involves the receipt, storage and movement of goods, typically finished goods, to intermediate storage locations or to a final customer. In the multi-echelon model for distribution, there may be multiple levels of warehouses. This includes a central warehouse, a regional warehouses that is typically serviced by the central warehouse and potentially retail warehouses that are typically serviced by the regional warehouses.
Warehouse management systems often utilize automatic identification and data capture technology, such as barcode scanners, mobile computers, wireless LANs and potentially radio-frequency identification (RFID) to efficiently monitor the flow of products. Once data has been collected, there is either a batch synchronization with, or a real-time wireless transmission to a central database. The database can then provide useful reports about the status of goods in the warehouse.
Warehouse design and process design within the warehouse, for example: picking, is additionally part of warehouse management. Warehouse management is an aspect of logistics and supply chain management. The objective of a warehouse management system is to provide a set of computerized procedures for management of warehouse inventory, space, equipment and people with the goal of minimizing cost and fulfillment times.
- This includes a standard receiving process to properly handle a shipment when it arrives. This process can be individualized to each warehouse or product type.
- This includes a the receipt of stock and returns into a warehouse facility. An efficient warehouse management system helps companies cut expenses by minimizing the amount of unnecessary parts and products in storage. It also helps companies keep lost sales to a minimum by having enough stock on hand to meet demand.
- This includes a modeling and managing the logical representation of the physical storage facilities (e.g. racking, etc.). For example, if certain products are often sold together or are more popular than others, those products can be grouped together or placed near the delivery area to speed up the process of picking, packing and shipping to customers.
- This includes enabling a seamless link to order processing and logistics management in order to pick, pack, and ship product out of the facility.
- This includes tracking where products are stocked, which suppliers they come from, and the length of time they are stored.
By analyzing such data, companies can control inventory levels and maximize the use of warehouse space. Furthermore, firms are more prepared for the demands and supplies of the market, especially during special circumstances such as a peak season on a particular month. Through the reports generated by the inventory management software, firms are also able to gather important data that may be put in a model for it to be analyzed. Alone warehouse management system cannot automate the process. It also involves the combination of business process to be followed along with that system to achieve 100% productivity and accuracy.
Warehouse management systems can be standalone systems, or modules of an ERP system or supply chain execution suite. Depending on the size and sophistication of the organization, the system can be as simple as a handwritten list that are updated when required, spreadsheets using software such as Microsoft Excel or Access or purpose-built software programs. In its simplest form, the WMS can track product's data during the production process and act as an interpreter and message buffer between existing ERP and WMS systems.
Inventory control software measures and tracks inventory levels, orders, sales, deliveries, work orders and bills of materials. Suppliers avoid overstock and outages; organize inventory data, which was generally stored in hard-copy form or in spreadsheets. In an unforgiving market, retailers and distributors with less cash tied up in expensive inventories are able to remain competitive.
The Barcoding Software segment recently introduced Wireless warehousing a module when integrated into Comp-U-Floor's business system empowers flooring suppliers to scan, receive, track, ship and manage warehouse operations from the floor; functionality achievable by combining wireless and barcode technology with Comp-U-Floor's robust inventory, sales, purchasing and accounting solutions. Suppliers in the market for such solutions and the thousands of flooring suppliers in the US and Canada already benefitting from Comp-U-Floor's business system are likely to discover this resource delivers a powerful and flexible real-time, warehouse management system.
With a choice of inventory control software, retailers and distributors turn to an Albrightville, Pennsylvania-based service provider; serving niche industries since the 1970's. Opting for American Business Software empowers retailers and distributors to rest assured they are using the right inventory control software to track inventory levels, orders, sales deliveries, work orders and bills of materials. With American Business Software solutions, these suppliers can know where their inventory is at any given time with a click of the mouse.
Sharon Bregola
Director of Adminstration
Mid-America Tile, Inc.
1650 Howard Street
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Main: 847-439-3110
Direct: 224-366-2853
Fax: 847-439-5889
SBregola@midamericatile.com
http://www.midamericatile.com
Family-owned since 1961, Mid-America Tile is a wholesale flooring distributor and importer specializing in Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass, Metal, Natural Stone Tile, Commercial Resilient, Electric Radiant Floor Heat and Installation Products. Mid-America Tile provides products and solutions to Architects, Designers, Developers, Home Builders, Contractors and Specialty Floor Covering Dealers involved in Hospitality, Health Care, Education, Residential and Commercial projects.
Inarguably, no company stays in business for over 50 years without adhering to a strict set of core values and a Mid-America Tile, they encourage their employees to be pro-active by taking ownership and accountability in dealing with their valued customers, following through and delivering on their promises to meet and in some cases exceed their customers’ expectations. The people at Mid-American tile strive to treat their customers with integrity, honesty and fairness with a good, old-fashioned respect for others and for the world in which we live. One of the ingredients, in this recipe for success, includes a reliable inventory control software system.
Subsequently, few software suppliers are likely to keep customers satisfied for decades without doing something right in the process. According to sources, Mid-American Tile has been using American Business Software applications to support their retail showrooms in Elk Grove Village and Romeoville, Illinois for about 25 years, which is a testimonial unto itself. Additionally, Mid-American Tile plays the role of a distributor, as they are involved in both commercial contracts and specifications projects in the Chicago, Illinois area. During this time frame, they have assimilated an impressive working knowledge of American Business Software's system capabilities.
Andrew Skalkos
Owner
Thomas Tile and Carpet
Showroom
645 W Lake St
Addison, IL 60101
630-543-9694
thomastile.andrew@spcglobal.net
http://www.thomastile-carpet.com/
Thomas Tile & Carpet, located in Addison, Illinois, is a second-generation, family owned and operated business. Since 1963 they have been providing quality flooring to residential and commercial customers in the Chicagoland area. Their goal is to help you find the perfect floor/wall to express your individual style no matter your budget. Their knowledgeable staff can help you design a project from start to finish. A complete line of flooring is showcased in their spacious 5,000 square foot showroom. You have to see it for yourself! Their large vignettes and floor displays can help spark your imagination. They import their tile directly from Italy and Spain and stock their material locally in our two warehouses so you can get your material quickly. Installation is key in designing a distinctive look. They can show you a variety of ways to create patterns or accents for a one-of-a-kind look. They can provide you with the tools and the knowledge to do-it-yourself or recommend a professional installer to complete the job.
Thomas Tile and Carpet runs a retail store in Addison Illinois and a separate distribution company, doing business as TAS Imports, in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Both businesses rely on American Business Software applications and have been doing so for ~20 years.
Dave Firkins
President
Tile Wholesalers
1136 East Ridge Road
Between Carter Street and Portland Avenue
Rochester, NY 14621
585-544-3200
dave@tilewholesalers.com
http://www.tilewholesalers.com
Tile Wholesalers is a supplier of ceramic, porcelain, glass and metal tiles; plus natural stone for residential and commercial applications. This supplier has Rochester, New York's largest inventory, knowledgeable consultants, creative designers, and trained installers. Trusted for tile since 1972, Tile Wholesalers is a second (2nd) generation, family run business; dedicated to providing superior selection, quality and pricing.
See traditional and contemporary styles in Rochester and Monroe County. National brands include Florida Tile, Crossville Ceramics and Seneca Tiles. The company's experienced consultants are available by appointment to guide and assist you with the flooring project.
Tile Wholesalers has been using American Business Software's FloorPro in their Rochester New York retail store for about 8 years.
Mike Tabone
IT Person
Arley Wholesale
700 N South Rd
Scranton, PA 18504
570-344-9874, X-209
miketabone@arleywholesale.com
http://www.arleywholesale.com/
The year was 1935 when Irving Levy made the move to Scranton, Pensylvania from Brooklyn, New York at which time a paint store was opened that sold wholesale and retail. Mr. Levy expanded his paint store to include linoleum flooring shortly after partnering with Franklin Arndt. Notably, a corporation was created using the first two letters of each last name; followed by the last letter of Mr. Levi's name: [Ar]+[Le]+[y] or Arley Wholesale.
The duo decided to exit the paint business for the purpose of focusing on the popular linoleum products. After Mr. Arndt retired from the business, Mr. Levy added Formica countertop laminate to their lineup of products.
The decade of the 1960’s brought with it the second (2nd) generation of Arley; Saul Levy and Norman Gevanthor expanded the business into wholesale distribution of carpet throughout most of Pennsylvania and New York. It was decided to focus on the higher end builder and designer market and they added ceramic tile to their offerings. Arlene Gevanthor managed the tile business and ran the showroom at its corporate headquarters that it still uses to showcase their unique blend of products to their customers.
The decade of the 1990's brought with in the third (3rd) generation of Arley; Bruce Gevanthor, Scott Levy and Robert Gevanthor brought their various work experiences to Arley. The business expanded again and Arley brought on many new employees to help such as David Lowe, Jim Carra and Jim Lewis who started as salesmen and now have leading sales roles in the company. When the decade came to a close, it was decided to exit the carpet business and concentrate on tile and stone. Arley grew in leaps and bounds to become the best Tile, Stone, Glass, Metal and installation product Importer and Wholesale Distributor on the East Coast thanks to an aggressive business plan, strong conservative financial backing and a unified team of dedicated employees.
Over the years, Arley Wholesale has grown into four (4) distribution centers; serving Scranton Pennsylvania; Morrisville, Pennsylvania; Syracuse, New York and Greensboro, North Carolina.
Notably, American Business Software is Arley Wholesale's inventory control software of choice and has been for the last 25 years. Nearly 100 company employees use their inventory control software and about 700 customers presently use their COLA software, an acronym for Customer On-Line Access; to check stock and place orders.
Distributors in the market for a software suite that serves their business and supports the businesses of retail customers, almost impossible to outgrow, would be well served to learn more about American Business Software's suite of customizable software applications. Ask for a demonstration how American Business Software's applications are capable of supporting distributors and their retail customers; so the expectations of their residential and commercial consumers could be consistently met.
Colin Pinder
Owner
Pinder Tile
200 Prince Charles Drive
P.0. Box FH-14378
Nassau, Bahamas
242-364-8453
242-364-5720
info@pindertile.com
colinp@pindertile.com
http://www.pindertile.com/
In 1985, David Pinder was experiencing difficulty locating high end tile products for the new home, which he was building, in Nassau. He believed accurately, as it turns out, the Bahamian marketplace could benefit from more and better competition for tile products. Shortly thereafter, Bahamians from all around Nassau and the Family Islands found their way to the Pinder Enterprises Building near the corner of Prince Charles and Fox Hill. Not so surprisingly, this location was out grown. In May, 1997, Pinder Tile moved to its own location at 200 Prince Charles Drive. It was a brand new facility; state- of-the-art, with 10,000 square feet of warehouse with the capacity to store over 60,000 pieces of tile, marble, stone, and brick. Since 2000, Pinder Tile is positioned as the premier supplier of tile, stone, and laminate products in the Bahamas.
Colin Pinder is David Pinder's son and the next generation of Pinder Tile; who is growing this business by catering to his customers. The Pinder's search the world for the finest products and are constantly developing creative and innovative ways to better serve the Bahamian public by providing them with the world-class products and services they have come to expect at competitive prices they can afford.
Pinder Tile has expanded their lineup of offerings to include: hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, stone flooring, marble flooring, granite countertops, faucets, showers, and more! Check out their website for a snapshot of products they are offering Bahamians.
Renovation jobs are a specialty of Pinder Tile, as they are the authority on flooring with the products, designers and expertise to get the entire job done properly and on time; much to the satisfaction of their delighted customers.
Pinder Tile's installers are acutely attentive to detail, which shows in the quality of their work. People managing projects uncertain where to start can benefit from Nassau, Bahamas based interior designers; who are confident, experienced and versatile in their approach. Pinder's interior designers possess the skills and expertise customers rely on for creating the environment you envision. Pinder Tile is ready to tackle the challenging jobs that most of their competitors in the area lack the capability or capacity to perform.
Pinder Tile offers Pavers and patio accessories, which can transition a backyard from an above average living space to your own private island country club with all of the extras to impress your family, friends and business associates.
Its no wonder why more Bahamians find themselves turning to Pinder Tile dedicated to helping customers turn their vision into reality.
Watch, as your beautiful interior and exterior space for homes and businesses take shape; in the Bahamas and surrounding islands.
The inventory control software application that Pinder Tile depends on was developed by American Business Software in all five (5) tile stores in the Bahamas; one of which is a retail store; one of which is a retail granite and stone fabrication store; one of which is a supply store (Pinder Enterprises could be considered the Home Depot and Lowe's in the Bahamas) and two of which are actually Muffler World stores (they sell tires, mufflers and brakes). American Business Software applications demonstrates to prospective customers an international capability, as they are handling a diversity of products beyond ceramic tile reaching outside of the USA. Pinder Tile even uses bar coding software technology for their tile and stone slabs in their warehouse. Speaking of international recognition, David Pinder recently recieved an award, according to sources, which was presented by the Queen of England.
So it would appear that once American Business Software earns the business of a new customer that customer develops a loyalty according to their track record over the last three (3) decades, which reveals customers remain with them for years even decades. The reasons for this loyalty stems from excellent customer service, as they are extremely easy to work with and provide custom programming. American Business Software is a supplier that is knowledgeable about both the flooring business including the ceramic tile business. Customers are likely to impart to prospects that they shoud expect straight talk and answers from a software company that prides themselves on balancing an uncommon combination of practicality, functionality, performance and price. Click here to read an introduction to inventory control software, which was written by Joe Flannick of American Business Software.
This concludes the feature on inventory control software, the July segment of the spotlight series; providing periodic coverage on the subject of flooring industry software, brought to you by Floor Covering Media.
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