FALL 2017

142 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

142 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK DENNIS R. COWHEY COMPUTERS - A MOST UNUSUAL ASSET from page 34 Helpful Software A better situation is to have software that is more tailored to the company needs. Systems like these have more extensive inventory management capabilities and in addition to providing accounting functions, they help management run the business more efficiently. As the systems get older, if they are not kept up to date, they tend to fall behind what is currently expected of systems. Many customers today are demanding extensive analysis and reporting of their activities with their vendors. The information is nearly as important as the product delivery. Older systems that do not provide flexibility for getting information out of them become a liability over time. Useless Software Useless software is in class by itself. This is software that is attempting to be very sophisticated and comprehensive. The company is seduced into purchasing it by all the “bells and whistles” that it offers, but they neglect to analyze its usefulness. Once the system is installed and implementation begins, the company runs into many roadblocks and discovers that some claimed capabilities either don’t exist or are so cumbersome to use that they cannot be put into operation. In the worst case scenario, the relationship with the software company deteriorates and a finger-pointing contest begins. The company blames the software for the problems while software company insists that the company is not being run correctly. In the meantime the bills keep rolling in from the software company and everything that needs to be contoured, adjusted or changed becomes a billable item. Finally, five years later when all of the bugs are out of it, the company finds that they are on a software version that is no longer upgradable without reinvesting in all of the changes that they had made. Installations like these can put a company out of business. Priceless Software The ideal situation when implementing new software is to find software that closely adheres to the company’s needs. This doesn’t mean that the software has to do things the old way, it just means that the system must accomplish the same tasks efficiently and without becoming overly complicated to use. Ideally, the software will be fully supported and upgraded as part of the agreement with the software company. Support is a key element to running a successful software system and it is a priceless advantage if it is available. In the finest installations, the fastener distributor and their software vendor truly become partners in the development and implementation of the system. New ideas that come along are implemented and passed on to the users as part of the maintenance. When a new idea comes along, the individual client should have the opportunity to use the new method or continue with the way they’re using the software. At the same time this should not affect their ability to accept the next upgrade to the software. This software not only makes jobs easier, it eliminates the need to perform many tasks because they are done automatically by the software. The software is fully integrated so that there is no duplication of effort to complete the company’s daily tasks. How Does Your Software Rate? It’s good to periodically evaluate where you are when it comes to technology. Everyone is at a different point in the continuum that I have listed above. Anything that you can do to move toward priceless software will pay huge dividends to your company and your quality of life. DENNIS R. COWHEY

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 143 Lightning Bolt & Supply, Inc. (Thunder Threads), a Louisiana based fastener manufacturer and VMI distributor is proud to announce it’s revolutionary “Touch-P” (Touch & Print) software, which allows users, regardless of their skill level, to print barcode labels on-site by simply touching items in a digital catalog. This new technology has now made printing barcode labels, commonly found on bolt/fitting bins, SUPER EASY and FAST... Even those that don’t understand part numbers (i.e. customers, sales reps) can easily print barcode labels. This revolutionary tool allows anyone that can flip a digital catalog to be able to print barcode labels. All you do is touch the item and the label prints. No printer? No problem... The labels can be printed remotely and mailed. Industrial distributors understand that once you have a barcode label at the point of use, replenishment is simple. In fact, we even have a complementary app that is designed to read bar-code labels and create a quote/order in your Point of Sale system. We are seeking companies that are interested in integrating this technology into their business model. For more information contact Wesley Valverde at Lightning Bolt & Supply Inc.by phone: 225-272- 6200, Email: wesley@lightningboltandsupply.com or online at www.lightningboltandsupply.com.