WINTER 2016
Distributor's Link Magazine Winter Issue 2016 / Vol 39 No1
Distributor's Link Magazine Winter Issue 2016 / Vol 39 No1
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10 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK<br />
Dennis R. Cowhey<br />
Dennis, R. Cowhey, started Computer Insights, Inc. in 1981 and is currently COB. He served<br />
for many years on the Illinois CPA Society Computer Information Systems Committee. He is<br />
a frequent author of articles for Industry Trade Magazines. Before starting Computer<br />
Insights, he served as Central District Manager for a division of Litton Industries (now part<br />
of Northup Grumman). That company offered Inventory Control Systems to Retailers. Prior<br />
to that, he was a Credit and Financial Analyst for National Credit Office division of Dun &<br />
Bradstreet, Inc. He received his education at Chicago City College and DePaul University.<br />
NEW SYSTEM - SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION<br />
Customers Are Time Starved<br />
In today’s business world having up to date<br />
technology is almost as important as having the proper<br />
product on the shelves. Customers are time starved and<br />
hungry for information. This can take the form of the<br />
panicky call that they are out of something so you are<br />
expected to know exactly what you have on hand or when<br />
you can get it. Or it could take the form of demanding a<br />
monthly report of inventory turns at their place by bin<br />
location. They might even ask you to forecast for them<br />
what to expect as far as their usage goes. There is no<br />
end to the list of demands that they make. Information<br />
is becoming as important as the product itself.<br />
New System Is The Answer<br />
With a new system, particularly one designed for the<br />
fastener industry, you can be in a position to answer<br />
these types of questions easily. It seems like it would<br />
be an easy decision to make a change, but it isn’t.<br />
Change is hard. There are risks associated with<br />
changing to a new system (and a new culture). How can<br />
you make the change and minimize the risk?<br />
You Need A Plan<br />
PLANNING AND TEAMWORK ARE IMPORTANT<br />
In order to make a smooth transition, of course you<br />
must start with a thorough review of your needs and then<br />
you must match them up with the software package that<br />
best meets them. Once that<br />
decision is done, the<br />
planning begins.<br />
The senior leadership<br />
team should all be on board<br />
with the new change. The<br />
more that you can have<br />
everyone pulling in the<br />
same direction, the better<br />
off you are.<br />
A VAST ARRAY OF INFORMATION CAN BE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS WITH A NEW SYSTEM<br />
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE<br />
CONTINUED ON PAGE 108
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